A few weeks ago, after posting an article on stress, I received an email informing me about a new book coming out called So Stressed, by Drs. Beth Hamilton and Stephanie McClellan, whose book defines four stress types based on personality responses to stress and maps out clear and practical ways to relieve stress using relaxation methods, nutrition, exercise, and general lifestyle choices that are specific to each type.
I often feel stressed out as you may already know. I am always interested in finding ways to deal with it. We all know and experience the effects of stress but few of us know that there are many types of stress. What I found interesting about this article is that I had no idea there there were four different types of stress. I have included the article that was sent to me, for you to read. Once I receive the book, I will read it and tell you all about it. In the meantime read the article below and check out these 10 ways to De-Stress Anytime Anywhere by Drs. Beth Hamilton and Stephanie McClellan.
So Stressed
So Stressed identifies four stress types based on current scientific research and the authors’ clinical observations. The types overlay the fundamental mechanisms of stress—the HPA axis (your hormonal system) and the autonomic nervous system—and represent how chronic stress throws these systems out of balance.
A Thumbnail Sketch of the Four Types
HyperDrive Stresser: We all know a HyperDrive Stresser when we see one. They are edgy, wound-up women who are vigilant, anxious, and never relax. HyperDrive Stressers tend to have tension headaches and are susceptible to viruses and infections.
Fried & Frazzled Stresser: Fried & Frazzled Stressers, a state of low cortisol, is the most common type of stress response in women. Fried & Frazzled Stressers have aches and pains and feel as if they never get enough sleep. Though they may seem calm on the surface, but a little stress provokes a big response. Chronic stress can lead to PMS, asthma, and weight gain for this type.
Detached & Shutdown Stresser: The Detached & Shutdown Stresser is an extreme and rare state in which the nervous and hormonal systems are severely imbalanced. Detached & Shutdown Stressers are women who tend to withdraw, and act as spectators in their own life. Women who have this stress response have low energy and tend to be disengaged and emotionally flat. When stress persists over a long period, they can develop ulcerative colitis and exhibit learned helplessness.
Dash & Crash Stresser: Dash & Crash Stressers tend to be high-achieving women, who go, go, go until they collapse. When a Dash & Crash Stresser has time to relax, she tends to crash in a state of profound exhaustion. This is a stress rebound response that is less associated with disease than the other types, because it resolves with rest and care.
Drs. Stephanie McClellan and Beth Hamilton are two prominent OB/GYN physicians in Newport Beach, CA, and the authors of SO STRESSED: The Ultimate Stress-Relief Plan for Women, a groundbreaking new book that identifies four different “Stress Types” in women and their very different personality traits. After noticing that most women in their practice were expressing a sense that their lives and health were off kilter. The doctors embarked upon a search to find the most cutting edge stress research being conducted at the finest medical centers in the world and So Stressed is the culmination of that journey.
Here are just three of its landmark conclusions:
- Women are more sensitive to stress than men. Women release more of the chemical triggers for stress and these hormones remain in a woman’s body longer than in a man’s
- There are four main personality types, each of which deals with stress in completely different ways. Not only is the brain chemistry of each Stress Type different, but each is vulnerable to different diseases, such as chronic pain, gynecological disorders depression, asthma and metabolic disorders
- Stress makes certain personality types gain weight in different parts of the body. You’ll get better mental and physical results if you tailor your diet, exercise and relaxation programs to your personality and Stress Type
