thanks for starting this thread, Fleury. i have been managing stress loads double those said to be "dangerous" - putting one at risk of accident, illness, or poor judgement.

in one way i am proud of myself, because in the past i have had all sorts of physical reactions to too much stress... but presently, i only have a kink in my neck , and well,,, i'm cussing all the time little things set me off. i should say "did" set me off, in the past week i am noticing that i've gotten alot better.

many years ago, when i was in college, i had a panic attack, and didn't know what it was. the nurse at the college clinic explained to me about stress and panic, and told me how to gauge my stress levels, so i could take steps to reduce or manage them. essentially you can make up your own stress test, because only you know how much something bothers you. but remember to include changes that you consider positive, because any change is stressful, or perhaps no change for one who desires it, can be stressful.

make up your own chart, where "normal", manageable stress levels are like a 2 or 200, and being upset enough to have symptoms for a little while is a 4 or 400... that kind of scale. then rate the kinds of things that cause you stress; like, for me a fight with a doctor is very stressful, getting 2 (or 200) points. having to go out of town to see a doc is another 1 (or 100); etc. for me, 700 becomes dangerous: i begin "accidentally" burning myself while cooking, dropping things on my foot, etc. at around 1000 i get a pain in my neck... the greater the stress, the more severe the symptom.

lately i got up into the 1500's , and did not get sick, did not injure myself, and only last week got a little crick in my neck. i have learned to stop criticizing myself relentlessly (tho i still criticize others, it's not as much); stop laying blame for things; and mostly to stop remembering over and over every thing that upset me~!

i have improved in my "mental health" so much that my brain is not ready to fall over at every little push: that is the real difference. i hope you too find ways to "manage" stress,,, set it down, let it go, move it along... etc.
best wishes,
Gus