[annoyedgrunt84]

Do you think that could be a sign of an anxiety disorder? Almost everything just cause me to feel stressed.

[~Christina]

I have never heard of a " good stress "

[Yoda]

Good stress is something traditionally thought of as a positive life change but the change itself can be stressful, e.g. having a baby, getting married, getting a promotion at work...

Can't imagine such a thing.

[*Laurie*]

I've heard the term forever and always thought it was an oxymoron.

[annoyedgrunt84]

I know I get overwhelmed much more easily than other people I also know it's just the anxiety talking but I can't seem to cut through it.

Good stress seems to be 'what doesn't hurt you makes you stronger'

Words I have heard over and over and I can't stand. Usually accompanied by the words 'get over it'

Stress is stress is stress.

[healingme4me]

Being overwhelmed needn't be limited to an anxiety disorder. What does your therapist think about how you handle stress?

[annoyedgrunt84]

I haven't talked to a therapist for awhile now. I know that I've never handled stress well though, I usually shut down and withdraw. I really want to pull back from the world right now it all seems like too much I don't see how anyone keeps up with it all. I just don't have the energy that other people seem to.

You are also Depressed.

It is my belief that anxiety and depression on ocassion go hand in hand. While Anxiety is fear to do something, Depression is the regret and sadness at not doing so.

If you can, resume your relationship with your therapist.

I have discovered some things I can do to combat the Depression, lack of energy,and in turn some of the anxiety. Get yourself into a regular sleep pattern. Try to catch some sunlight - even if it means sitting by a window. Take some vitamin D now that the days grown shorter. (I'm up north so we don't get much sun in the winter. I have a therapy light and I really notice a difference in my energy and sleep). Get out of your home - even to walk around the block (I walk around a local mall sometimes). If you are at home as I am and spend a lot of time at computer/tablet stand up every now and then and walk away even for a few minutes. Hope this all helps

[*Laurie*]

I was playing an online game today, trying to beat the clock, and thought, 'Hmm. Maybe this is good stress.'

[BlueCrustacean]

"Good stress" is just another term for "excitement" or "adrenaline", like when you're driven to score in a game or sport, or you're going on a trip to someplace you've always wanted to go. Depending on your emotional reaction to change like this, it can either feel good or bad. Or a mix of both.

I remember getting RIDICULOUS butterflies in my stomach while just beginning to watch Return of the King in theaters when it first came out. That I would describe as good stress.

[(JD)]

I used to function better under "good stress"... it's called pressure... it's that tweak in my stomach before I give a speech to a small group (the large crowds are fine!)...

The excitement of a marriage ceremony, the Christening of a child, or the adoption of a child, the new job excitement... those are "good stressers"... which I call pressure... that impetus to do your best, be better...go in a new direction.

Perhaps a qualifier like this will help you realize that some "stress" is acceptable in life...and maybe then you will be able to handle it better, easier? I hope so.

Still, too much stress in life can be a problem, even "good stress".

[*Laurie*]

Blue and JD, you've both described 'good stress' really well. Thanks.

[Slowbrains]

I consider positive stress as a thing that has beginning and end. I'm in one right now. Thanks to my meds, it has not turned into a disaster (so far at least) I have lot of pressure at work due to a project with very tight schedule involving direct customer reporting etc... Before i would already had turned into a mad and anxious paranoid, thinking everybody's against me some way...

Best way to keep it in control is to work overtime if needed to keep up with the schedule. It's the most important thing. Losing schedule causes more stress and energy loss than putting some extra effort to keep up with it. Also sleep, exercise and eat well.

There must be some goal to aim, whatever it is. Then you know that it will be all over eventually.