International Stress Awareness Week is celebrated every first week in the month of November to raise awareness of the challenges and burdens associated with dealing with stress daily. The day was launched by the International Stress Management Association. Many people across the world have gone through tough times due to the COVID-19 outbreak. 

Even before the pandemic, India was labeled as the most stressed country. Where the global average of stress is 86%, 89% of Indians suffered from stress in 2019. That is 9 in every 10 people suffer from stress. 

On the occasion of International Stress Awareness Week, we at Medicircle are conducting an exclusive awareness series wherein we will be featuring experts in this field to understand and create more awareness about the effects of stress. 

Dr. Samiksha Murkute is a Psychiatrist and Homoeopath in Pimple Saudagar, Pune, and has experience of 6 years in these fields. Dr. Samiksha Murkute practices at Manomay Homeopathy and Counseling Center in Pimple Saudagar, Pune. She has won various prizes in case presentations and research. 

Some of the services provided by the doctor are: Geriatric Healthcare, Anxiety Disorder Counseling, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) Counseling, Adult Counseling, and Depression Treatment

Stress in adults and children 

Dr. Samiksha Murkute says, “Stress means tension or worry. Stress is not always negative. It can be positive as well and gives you a positive push. Just like exams give you positive stress to prepare well. There are different causes of stress in adults and children. Children also have stress though not like adults. However, overstress or over-worry can cause a problem. Children are very sensitive in the developing stage and stress factors should be taken care of especially in case of anxiety. The adult causes of stress are as follows- 

Financial issues Marriage issues  Divorce problem Job issues  Housewife problems

However, the causes of stress in children are -

Exam stress  Peer pressure Lonely child  Sensitivity  Fears

Both adults and children are prone to stress.”

Stress and Wellbeing 

Dr. Samiksha informs, “Our body and mind is not a different entity. They are interconnected with each other. If there is a pain in our bodies, we generally tend to get irritated. Mind symptoms affect our thoughts, behavior, mood, and feelings. Certain disorders like hypertension and diabetes are caused due to stress. Stress causes danger signals in our body to protect ourselves which is called Fight and Flight Response which causes symptoms like- 

Palpitations  Trembling of hands and feet  Dryness Of mouth Nervousness 

So the mind and body are interconnected with each other.”

Support your child during stressful events 

Dr. Samiksha informs, “Parents should be keen observers as children do not express emotions. Talking can help reduce stress levels. Children are not able to cope up with stress. Carefully observe the child for the following symptoms- 

Behavioural symptoms Loss of appetite  Changes in sleep pattern  Bedwetting  Withdrawal of activities  Excuses on going to school  Bullying in children  Avoiding friends and staying alone  Anxiety and depression 

Parents should observe it in the primary stage to avoid complications.

Parents should help children by discussing things in the form of storytelling or animation.

Parents should carefully discuss and talk about issues in front of children.

Children are sensitive and easily hold on to things 

Check what the children are watching on tv and social media.

Identifying stress in children is important 

Take help of a psychologist and counselor.”

Dealing with mental stress

Dr. Samiksha informs, “The stress should be dealt with in following ways - 

Identify the cause  Change of behavior and reaction  Deal with stress positively Deep breathing  Relaxation techniques Muscle relaxation  Physical activity  Distraction technique  Take a break or pause and deal with the situation  Exercise regularly  Proper nutrition and diet Develop coping mechanisms.” 

(Edited by Dr. Rati Parwani)