Stress is a normal physical or mental reaction to a situation. Stress isn’t always a bad thing -stress can be productive (more alert, motivated etc). However, it can sometimes be problematic (feeling unable to cope, being under constant distress).
Very common! Approximately 1 in 8 Australian adults report high or very high levels of psychological distress.
Are there different types of stress?
Problematic stress is commonly described as being under emotional or mental pressure, feeling overwhelmed, and feeling less able to cope in a situation. In these situations, stress can have a significant impact on the wellbeing of an individual, and this distress can impact on personal, family, social, occupational, vocational, or other areas of functioning.
Mental health conditions commonly associated with stress include:
