COPING UP WITH STRESS

WAYS OF COPING
A. AGGRESSIVE REACTION
 Aggression- a behavior
characterized by anger or
violence, directed towards
others or oneself
 This
is a response to certain stimulus in
a harmful or unpleasant manner.
 The act has the intent of hurting or
causing pain to something or
someone else.
 It can be verbal or through the use
of words or non-verbal through
assault on a person or his
possession.
 This is exemplified by punching a
wall; kicking a chair; or even
The same can also be performed
in several forms which include:
1. Displaced Aggression –
directing the aggressive towards
another person or to the objects
that is causing the stress or
maybe the cause of frustration
(e.g. hammering a buffering
desktop)
2. Scapegoating – is an aggressive behavior
where one blames another person or objects for
his failures or fault (e.g. pointing an accusing
finger to an innocent classmate)
3. Free-Floating Anger – an aggressive response
which is prolonged as a sign of extreme anger
(e.g. continually becoming aggressively
emotional every time you are reminded of a
past issue)
4.Suicide – an aggressive response which is self-
destructive as a result of hatred on oneself or to
another which resulted to extreme frustration,
an aggression that is directed to the self.
B. WITHDRAWAL REACTION
This response to stress involves the use of
“defense mechanism” which subsequently
protects the ‘ego” or the ‘self’ from further
pain usually caused by those insignificant
people surrounding an individual.
Defense Mechanisms are unconscious
responses developed by Sigmund Freud
through the theory of Psychoanalysis is aimed
to reduce one’s anxiety caused by life
pressures and inevitable stressors. It protects
the individual from psychological pain.
SUCH DEFENSES are THE
FOLLOWING:
1. DENIAL - refusing to accept an external
reality to protect the “self” an unconscious
way to resolve emotional conflict. (e.g. stating
that he/she is not aware of what is going on).
2. DISPLACEMENT - shifting one’s aggression
towards something or someone that is a lot
weaker and uncompromising (e.g. hitting a
helpless dog)
3. INTELLECTUALIZATION - Use of
reasoning to effectively avoid
confrontation with an emotional
stress thereby protecting the self
(e.g. explaining a husband’s illness
through medical terms that may
logically lead to possible death)
4. RATIONALIZATION - providing a logical
justification for a decision made or an act
earlier performed to make an excuse for a
mistake or erratic decision done thereby
preventing ridicule from others (e.g. stating
how relieved you are when you broke up with
your boyfriend with a foul breath)
5. REACTION - FORMATION - a defense
mechanism in which unacceptable emotions
are being replaced by its opposite to prevent
rejection from others (e.g. being sacredly
devoted to the teachings of one’s religion to
cover up worldly desires such as addiction to
pornography.)
6. PROJECTION - attributing one’s fault or
negative emotions onto others to express
the sentiment though not recognizing it
(e.g. stating that some classmates does
not like you though it is you who dislikes
them).
7. REGRESSION - in the face of hurts we
use an “imagined time machine” to revert
to a more pleasant past where we are
more safe and secure (e.g. embracing and
talking to your stuffed toy which you had
since you were in grade school)
8. REPRESSION / SUPPRESSION - defense
mechanisms where one pushes the
unwanted thoughts unto the
unconscious which however may
manifests in the future unknowingly (e.g.
swearing to avenge one’s unfortunate
life in the near future).
9. SUBLIMATION - refocusing or
rechanneling one’s energy to something
more acceptable and productive (e.g.
playing basketball aggressively to let go
of one’s anger)
10. FANTASY - utilizing imagination as a
way to escape from life’s real problems
and stress. Here, one imagines that
he/she is a success in all his/her desires
which somehow is a form of self-help but
may prove to be very negative if one
starts to live in his’ “world of fantasy”
(e.g. feeling that he/she is driving his/her
own luxury car with his/her own chauffer
while in a public utility vehicle).
2. Be positive
No need to be worried that things would not
work as planned. “Positive thoughts attract positive
people and positive events”. One needs to develop
skill of attracting only positive frequency so as to
attain what is desired.

3. Be grateful
According to Rhona Byrne in “The Secret”, one
should start from an attitude of gratitude so he may
see the things that he possesses rather than his
deficiencies. People need to be grateful for being
unique so there will be appreciation instead of
frustration.
4. Use Mantra
Look at a mirror and do positive self-talk.
Focus on your beauty, your strengths, your
uniqueness and the things that you have. Practice
deep breathing while doing this and start believing
in yourself through positive self-talk.

5. Be Humorous
One should find comic relief by watching
funny films and reading good books. This can be
done by finding happy thoughts in everything that is
done and encountered. Being happy makes an
individual good-natured and high-spirited.
6. Be Productive
An idle person is subjected to more
negativity as this preoccupies one with issues.
Tendency is just to discuss more about one’s hurts
and pains that further aggravates negativities.

7. Be Empowered
Learning more about one’s strengths and
investing on them gives an individual higher worth.
Upgrading one’s abilities and potentials provides
greater faith in one’s self. Achieving more and going
the extra mile provides one with more “laurels”
hence, more confidence.
THANK YOU!!!