Handling Stressful Situations
by People handle stressful situations in different ways; this article looks at several of those methods. I recently witnessed the four listed ‘methods’ within one family in a hospital waiting room.
Below are four types of ways inwhich people handle stressful situations. They are a broad view, but I believe that we will see a little of ourselves in each of the examples.
The Breakdown Method
This is the most common response to situations that cause immense stress. I say that because whether it is in the beginning or the end, the original or final stage, eventually you will breakdown to some degree.
The breakdown method is about the release of emotions. A loved one is in the hospital and you feel lost. Your life is flying out of your control and you react emotionally. To whatever degree, you are breaking down. You are at a loss of control. It isn’t bad, unless you go to extremes, but everyone needs emotional release.
I saw a woman crying, sobbing as well as simply weeping, attempting to control her emotions, and failing. This is human. It was nothing to be embarrassed about, people understand.
The Blame Something, Anything Method
This is the least socially accepted method of dealing with stressful situations, and might I say in my experience, the ugliest.
When some people feel out of control, or scared, and they don’t know how to deal with it, they need something tangible to blame. It may come in the form of blaming a doctor who couldn’t save a patient, or a family member who made a decision that didn’t turn out as expected. I’m not talking about blaming the battery in your car when it won’t start, that is a logical response for that given situation. I’m talking about the illogical flying off the handle when things really are outside of human control.
I witnessed a man make a scene in a hospital waiting room, blaming the clergy for going in to see his father before him. He yelled, he struck out at the man verbally, because he needed the release of having something to blame. It was ugly; the family was embarrassed, which added additional stress when none was needed.
The Helpful Method
When things are outside of your control, sometimes you go out of your way to gain control of other things. You become Helpful. You make sure others have food, drink, etc. You make sure you’re available to assist. It’s a beautiful gesture, and sometimes focusing on the things that would make life easier during a stressful situation gives a person something to focus on and give you back a little bit of control over your life.
Liked it
