Psychological aspects of Stress

General
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Stress is not about events, but about how we interpret them. Stress occurs when a person feels that demands exceed their coping resources.

Imagine a final-year medical student who has:

  • University exams in 10 days

  • Clinical duties every morning

  • A seminar presentation to prepare

  • Family expectations to “do well”

Step 1: The situation (demand)

The demands are:

  • Large syllabus

  • Limited time

  • Multiple responsibilities

  • Pressure to perform

Step 2: The person’s appraisal

The student thinks:

“There’s too much to study.”
“I don’t have enough time or energy.”
“If I fail, it will be a disaster.”

Here, the perceived demand feels very high.

Step 3: Coping resources

Coping resources include:

  • Time

  • Energy

  • Study skills

  • Emotional support

  • Confidence from past experiences

If the student feels:

“I’m already exhausted.”
“I don’t remember anything I read.”
“I’m alone in this.”

Then the coping resources feel insufficient.

Step 4: Stress response

Because the student feels that demands > coping resources, stress occurs:

  • Anxiety and overthinking

  • Poor sleep

  • Palpitations before studying

  • Reduced concentration

Symptoms of stress
Symptoms of stress1600Ă—899 101 KB

Another student with the same workload thinks:

“I’ve handled worse before.”
“I’ll make a realistic timetable.”
“I can ask friends for notes.”

Here, coping resources feel adequate, so stress is much lower.

Two people in the same situation can experience very different stress levels based on beliefs, past experiences, and emotional regulation. Stress is unavoidable, how we handle it matters more.

HOW DO YOU HANDLE STRESSFUL SITUATIONS?

MBH/PS

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Facing all that for the first time is always stressful. Well, the only coping mechanism I can think of is to put the books aside and sleep like the world is going to end tomorrow. Either one should plan everything beforehand and avoid procrastination or build a strategy without stressing too much when time isn’t sufficient and leave the rest up to God.

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Stress is inevitable,for me even a time delayed by few minutes will cause the stress ,i changed from hanging in this kind of situation,to “whatever it may be ,I can handle anything” because of meditation and walking these 2 things changed my life like anything.yes developing a coping mechanism is best to overcome stress

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I handle stressful situations by stopping overthinking and focusing on small, practical steps. I manage stress through reading, meditation, yoga, short walks, listening to music, and sometimes watching my favorite movie to reset my mind. These habits help me stay calm, regain focus, and face challenges with a positive attitude.

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Handling all the responsibilities all at once when its new for you always makes us feel stressed about how am i going to do this!! But i always believe keeping calm in such situation and not loosing the cool always makes things easier. We stress but we can handle them ofc.

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