In continuation of the "SJs and stress" thread, I've decided to inquire about NFs and stress.
My questions:
- What kind of behaviors do you exhibit when stressed?
- How is your normal mode of thinking altered when stressed?
- How do you deal with stress?
- What kinds of things stress you out?
Lately I've been overwhelmingly stressed, so I'll just answer what I've been doing NOW (haha).
1. I either get withdrawn or needy, depending on the stresser. I'll also break plans frequently when I'm normally the type to stick to them - kinda get flaky. There have been instances when I've quit everything going on in my life when I'm stressed. I'll get stuck in analyzation mode & not take much action. I'll get impulsive (and I'm the furthest thing from an impulsive person), but I never do impulsive activities gracefully - as in if I go out drinking, I'll make a mess of myself. If I go shopping, I'll spend money wayyy out of my budget. I'm guessing a naturally impulsive person would have a little more control than I do. I hate to admit it, but I can start down the road of blaming others for my stress and setting up unrealistic expectations of others. Physically, I'll stop eating when stressed.
When I'm dealing with prolonged stress, I'll start personalizing everything & head towards depression. I'll also have more of a tendency to cry & let my emotions out when I normally have a good amount of control over them. I'm known to get into freak out mode & sometimes get hysterical.
2. Hmm... PANIC. I totally panic. Also, I can take on the martyr egocentricity, so to say. I'll think everyone I've overextended myself to (usually the cause of the stress) "owes" me, but I'll keep thinking that I need to sacrifice all of my needs for them. I tend to see things more from my point of view (which is right, duh - kidding!) instead of looking at something from all points of view like I normally do. I also "go too far" by not recognizing when to stop and leave the subject alone - that switch just doesn't turn on when I'm stressed. I'll occasionally take on the "I'm going to save the world" mindframe or the opposite "I hate you all for making me do so much for you" when nobody is actually making me do anything. I'm sure it's very annoying to others.
3. Small amounts of stress are usually dealt with by resolving the problem, usually with a compromise, and moving on from it mentally. I wish I could say I threw myself into a hobby or some mindless activity, but I don't at all. Long term stress leaves me feeling lost and unable to cope & I've sought therapy in those instances.
4. Constant demands from others seem to be the one thing that is guaranteed to drive me straight over the stress edge. However, I tend to bring it upon myself because I enjoy helping others. I think it's the when the "taking advantage of me" line is crossed. Also, I'll get stressed when I don't get enough private recharge time and when I overschedule myself and can't complete anything. I get extremelly stressed when others are angry with me.