Identifying Stress

Recognizing & Managing Stress

Signs & Symptoms of Stress

• Headaches, muscle tension, neck or back pain
• Upset stomach
• Dry mouth
• Chest pains, rapid heartbeat
• Difficulty falling or staying asleep
• Fatigue
• Loss of appetite or overeating “comfort foods”
• Increased frequency of colds
• Lack of concentration and focus
• Memory problems or forgetfulness
• Irritability or short temper
• Anxiety

Managing Stress

• Understand how you experience stress
• Identify your sources of stress
• Learn your own stress signals
• Recognize how you deal with stress
• Find healthy ways to manage stress
• Take care of yourself
• Reach out for support

Understanding Anxiety & Depression

Anxiety is the feeling of overwhelming, intense, or excessive fear that prevents someone from performing daily activities. Anxiety can be difficult to control and can cause significant distress or impairment. Symptoms can vary in severity but are not necessarily medically disqualifying.

Common Signs of Anxiety:

• Restlessness
• Rapid heartbeat
• Dry mouth
• Upset stomach
• Headaches
• Irritability
• Muscle tension

Depression is more than just feeling sad or blue for a day or two. Depression, like anxiety, can manifest in varying degrees and symptoms. Depression is not a sign of personal weakness, and it cannot be “willed away.” People with a depressive illness cannot merely “pull themselves together” and get better, but it is treatable and not necessarily medically disqualifying.

Common Signs of Depression

• Feeling empty, lonely, or isolated
• Feeling hopeless or worthless
• Lacking an interest in activities that used to be enjoyable
• Feeling mentally and physically tired
• Finding it difficult to concentrate or make decisions
• Experiencing physical pain that does not respond to treatment
• Having a greatly reduced or increased appetite

Common treatments for anxiety and depression include psychotherapy, medications, and complementary health approaches.

Understanding Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

PTSD is characterized by the development of debilitating and often chronic symptoms following the exposure of actual or threatened traumatic or dangerous events.

Common Signs of PTSD:

• Intrusive thoughts
• Sleep disturbances
• Nightmares and flashbacks of the traumatic events
• Hypervigilance
• Avoidance of reminders of trauma

Effective treatments for PTSD include psychotherapy and medications. It can often be necessary to combine these treatments for effective control of PTSD. PTSD is not medically disqualifying in all cases.

Understanding Alcohol Use Disorder & Substance Use Disorders

The misuse or abuse of alcohol or other drugs can affect health and well-being. Due to the nature of our jobs, it is easy to hide the misuse or abuse of addictive substances. Friends and family may be among the first to recognize the signs of substance abuse.

Common Signs of Alcoholism & Substance Abuse:

• Increased tolerance for the substance
• Increased use and/or quantities over time
• Difficulty controlling use
• Preoccupation with the substance (craving)
• Symptoms of withdrawal
• Continued use despite substance-related social or interpersonal problems
• Hiding the use of the substance

Early recognition and seeking help through the proper channels increase the chance for successful treatment. Your union has a very successful treatment program for alcoholism and chemical dependency through the Human Intervention and Motivation Study (HIMS). This program has shown that proper treatment and rehabilitation can both return pilots to work and help them maintain abstinence up to 90 percent of the time. Please contact your HIMS representative for more information.

Understanding & Preventing Suicide

Warning signs of suicide include, but are not limited to:

• Talking or writing about death, dying, or suicide
• Seeking out things that could be used in a suicide attempt, such as weapons and drugs
• Hopelessness, no sense of purpose in life
• Dramatic mood swings or sudden personality changes
• Loss of interest in day-to-day activities
• Neglecting appearance
• Big changes in eating or sleeping habits

These signals are even more dangerous if the person has a mood disorder such as depression or bipolar disorder, suffers from alcohol dependence, has previously attempted suicide, or has a family history of suicide.

Talking about Suicide

Take any suicidal talk or behavior seriously. It’s not just a warning sign that the person is thinking about suicide—it can be a cry for help. If you believe that a friend or family member is suicidal, you can play a role in suicide prevention by pointing out the alternatives and showing that you care.