The document summarizes key findings from the American Psychological Association's 2012 Stress in America survey. It found that most Americans experience stress levels higher than what is considered healthy, with 20% reporting extreme stress. While 60% have tried to reduce stress in the past 5 years, only 37% feel they are effectively managing it. The top sources of stress are money, work, and health concerns. However, health care providers are falling short on supporting patients' stress management and wellness goals, with only 17% reporting regular discussions around stress. This is concerning as untreated chronic stress can seriously impact physical and mental health. The survey suggests Americans need more support from their healthcare system to effectively manage stress.

1. SCRIBBLE PAD
Health-care providers
fall short on
stress management!
According to a recent survey (2012) by the
American Psychological Association (APA), when
it comes to stress management and wellness, there
is a gap between what Americans want from their
health-care system and what they actually get.

2. “Stressed out” = the new normal?
Stress is so commonplace in
American culture that a
Google search generates
millions of results with
essays, opinions, articles,
and news reports on what
stress does and what stress
is doing to us.
www.apa.org/news/press/releases/stress/2012/impact.aspx

3. The Stress in America survey
Since its inception, the Stress in
America survey has explored the
place that stress has in American life
and the impact it is having on our
health and wellness. The 2012
survey findings illustrate a scenario
in which Americans consistently
experience stress at levels higher
than they think is healthy.
www.apa.org/news/press/releases/stress/2012/impact.aspx

4. Some of the hard facts are
Almost three-quarters (72 percent) of
respondents say that their stress level has
increased or stayed the same over the past
five years and 80 percent say their stress
level has increased or stayed the same in the
past year.
The number of Americans reporting extreme stress continues
to be high – 20 percent said their stress is an 8, 9, or 10 on a
10-point scale.
Over the past five years, 60 percent of adults have tried to
reduce their stress. More than half (53 percent) are still
trying to meet this goal.
Only 37 percent of Americans feel they are actually doing an
excellent or very good job of managing their stress.
www.apa.org/news/press/releases/stress/2012/impact.aspx

5. Plus a few more hard facts
Approximately seven in 10 Americans report
that they experience:
 physical (69 percent) symptoms of stress
 non-physical (67 percent) symptoms of stress
Symptoms include:
 irritability or anger (37 percent)
 fatigue (37 percent)
 feeling overwhelmed (35 percent)
 changes in sleeping habits (30 percent)
Many people are not coping effectively with stress:
 people report lying awake (42 percent)
 overeating or eating unhealthy foods (36 percent)
 skipping meals (27) percent in the past month due to stress
www.apa.org/news/press/releases/stress/2012/impact.aspx

6. Top sources of stress include
 Money (69 percent)
 Work (65 percent)
 Economy (61 percent)
 Family responsibilities
(57 percent)
 Family health problems
(52 percent)
 Personal health problems
(51 percent)
www.apa.org/news/press/releases/stress/2012/impact.aspx

7. State of the health care system
Findings from the survey suggest
that people are not receiving what
they need from their health care
providers to manage stress and
lifestyle and behavior changes to
improve health.
For example, though 32 percent of Americans say it is very/extremely
important to talk with their health care providers about stress
management, only 17 percent report that these conversations are
happening often or always.
www.apa.org/news/press/releases/2013/02/stress-management.aspx

8. A health care expert’s opinion
“Unfortunately, our country’s health
system often neglects psychological and
behavioral factors that are essential to
managing stress and chronic diseases. In
order for our nation to get healthier, lower
the rates of chronic illnesses, and lower
health care costs, we need to improve how
we view and treat stress and unhealthy
behaviors that are contributing to the high
incidence of disease in the U.S.” –
Norman B. Anderson, PhD and APA CEO
www.apa.org/news/press/releases/2013/02/stress-management.aspx

9. Little or no stress management support
More than half (53 percent) of Americans say they receive little or no
support for stress management from their providers, and 39 percent
say they have little or no behavior management support.
U.S. adults with high stress (69 percent) say their stress has increased
in the past year, yet 33 percent say that they never discuss ways to
manage stress with their health care provider.
www.apa.org/news/press/releases/2013/02/stress-management.aspx

10. Millennials feeling challenged
Millennials (age 18-33) are feeling especially challenged in handling
their stress and receiving health care that meets their needs as they
report an average stress level of 5.4 on a 10-point scale, exceeding the
national average (4.9).
 Are less likely to than people nationwide to give their health care an
“A” grade (25 percent versus 31 percent).
 Only 17 percent think their health care provider supports them a “lot
or a great deal” for stress management and 23 percent for behavior
changes and healthy lifestyle changes.
www.apa.org/news/press/releases/2013/02/stress-management.aspx

11. Adults with a chronic illness
Although Americans dealing with a chronic illness see their health
care provider more frequently than those without a chronic illness, it
doesn’t mean they receive better stress management care.
 51 percent of those with a chronic illnesses see their health care
provider three or more times annually compared with only 17 percent
for those without a chronic illness.
 Despite more frequent visits, only 25 percent of those with a chronic
illness, say that they get “a great deal or a lot” of stress management
support from their health care provider.
www.apa.org/news/press/releases/2013/02/stress-management.aspx

12. Health care falling down...so what?
An extreme amount of stress can have
negative health consequences and
adversely affect the
immune, cardiovascular, neuroendocrine
and central nervous systems.
Untreated chronic stress can result in
serious health conditions including
anxiety, insomnia, muscle pain, high
blood pressure and a weakened
immune system. The consequences of chronic
stress are serious, particularly as
it contributes to anxiety and
depression.
www.apa.org/helpcenter/understanding-chronic-stress.aspx

13. Fix it..change it..address it HOW?
APA’s Stress in America survey
revealed that 33 percent of
Americans never discuss ways to
manage stress with their health
care provider.
Be assertive...have that discussion!
It is important to “take charge” and have an ongoing discussion
with your healthcare providers. The research is clear that chronic
stress can be managed and mastered with appropriate
interventions such as lifestyle and behavior change, therapy, and
in some situations, medication.
www.apa.org/helpcenter/understanding-chronic-stress.aspx

14. Presentation by
David Grinstead, MA, CHt
Clinical Hypnotist – Life Coach
Website: livealife.biz
Email: coachg@livealife.biz
Phone: 336-380-0203