Stress occurs when there is an imbalance between the perceived demands on an individual, and that individual's ability to respond to these demands. For example, demands of an organization can create strain on an individual which can interfere with progress toward career goals. Stressors such as job loss are major causes of psychological and physiological strain, and many psychosomatic complaints can be traced to such types of strain.
In the current job market, job losses are common, and many who lose their jobs are forced to take other jobs well below their skill levels while continuing to search for employment at a higher level (Guindon and Smith 73). Others faced extended periods of unemployment. Stress from such problems leads to complaints such as headaches, sleep disorders, anxiety and depression (75). Unemployment can lead to depression symptoms ranging from mild to suicidal, and include symptoms such as weight loss or weight gain, sleeplessness or excessive sleeping, low energy, fatigue, psychomotor agitation or retardation, low self-esteem, feelings of guilt and worthlessness, inability to concentrate or make decisions, and suicidal thoughts.
Most stress reactions resolve themselves when the stressful situation passes (Guindon and Smith 76). However, while the symptoms persist, they may hinder someone who has lost their job from effectively looking for work. Counselors need to be aware of this, and should recommend a thorough medical examination of clients who exhibit symptoms of stress before trying to put them into the job market. Stress management techniques can be incorporated into job counseling settings to help those in need of these services and assist them in overcoming problem hindering their reentry into the workforce.
There are many theories of stress and how it affects people and the appraisal theory of stress explains how appraisals are associated with coping in theoretically interpretable ...