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SPIRITUAL
AND PSYCHOLOGICAL STRESS
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Most causes of psychological stress are perennially related to emotional and psychological disorders. Stressful situations, whether long-term or short-term, can set forth a series of emotional symptoms such as a feeling of personality disintegration, phobia, anxiety attacks, unfocussed attention or distractions, exaggerated emotional responses and psychological discomposure such as depression, confusion, burn out and, never forget the resultant, vehicular accidents. No wonder, under persistent stress, an individual suffers from spiritual riots within himself. These perturbations in emotional and psychological health may cause or exacerbate debilitating disorders, which can stop life on its track. Because studies show as much as 50 to 80 per cent of all the complaints treated by physicians are psychosomatic ailments resulting from psychological stress. "A quiet mind cureth all." —Robert Burton  Almost all anxiety attacks and stress related mind-body illnesses are known to cause sleep disorders such as sleep apnea, delayed sleep phase syndrome, and even oversleeping. In extreme cases stressors or causes of stress can even cause insomnia. | ||||
 Chronic stress conditions can lead to various Attention-Deficiency Disorders such as ADD and ADHD. Which are again products of the demands of modern life and its priorities. Individuals with Attention-Deficiency Disorder, Predominantly Inattentive Type (ADD) exhibit six or more symptoms of inattention and less than six symptoms of hyperactivity-impulsivity. They usually exhibit some of the following symptoms: inattention, distractibility, disorganization, daydreaming, lack of foresight, carelessness, forgetfulness, lack of motivation, lack of persistence, and procrastination. Individuals with Attention-Deficiency Disorder, Predominantly Hyperactive-Impulsive Type (ADHD) usually exhibit six or more symptoms of hyperactivity-impulsivity and less than six symptoms of inattention. They usually exhibit some of the following symptoms: hyperactivity, fidgeting behavior, restlessness, excessive talking, inappropriate running and climbing, often "on the go," can't wait, interrupt others, and impulsiveness. |
 Constant stress can ruin one's spirit, slowing down the motivation to lead a meaningful life. Under stress an individual may fall into compulsive, obsessive behavior and fear. Stressed out individuals seem to be easily charmed by negative habits of procrastination, addiction to alcohol, smoking and substance abuse. Addictions (alcohol, drugs, et al), as stress responses, depend on many factors: • one's false sense of relief through it, • the intensity and type of stress and one's inability to cope with these, • as a genetic stress response, • non-availability of social support as a cushion against stress. All these debilitating mental traits arise from a loss of self-confidence and inner strength. Prolonged pressure and inabilty to disburse with the same lead individuals to such situations. Spiritual paths such as Yoga, and holistic healing methods such as Pranic healing and Reiki speak of a luminous energy body that encircles an individual's physical body. This is composed of subtle particles (life force) and intimately related to one's emotional conditions. Under chronic stress, this energy body or aura gets depleted due to inadequate absorption of 'life force' or prana into body, and the energy pathways or chakras are blocked with stagnant and toxic prana leading to imbalances in body, mind and spirit. An individual tends to lose his all round composure and fails to look for solutions within. A depleted and weakened aura can incapacitate one to remain connected to his 'self' and even to the outside world. This sense of disconnectedness can cause depression in individuals. Research shows stressors can distort one's spiritual well being. Symptoms such as self-doubt, jealousy, suspicion, difficulties in interpersonal relationships, feelings of loneliness, sense of inadequacy and sexual problems are directly linked to one's spiritual disturbances. Stressed out individuals are known to rush into self-injury, suicidal attempts and fatal accidents. |
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