was no room for a slip-up. This was big business with big rewards. The client was exceedingly good at his job, but it came at a price to his health – 5 stone of excess weight gain. Although he ate healthily, and in moderation at work, it was all part of his professional approach. When he came home it was almost as if some element of being out of control was needed as light relief from the constant responsibility and challenges. Ice cream was the answer, and his excessive eating of it represented a rebellious act against all the constraints in his day-to-day life. After discussing this, we established a physical activity plan that introduced an element of stress management, as well as letting him create a little slack in other areas of his life, so that the ice cream eating was not his only outlet to let off steam and take his foot off the throttle.
Emotional stress is real, and it doesn’t go away quickly or simply. However, recognizing it is the first step to taking action. If you feel you are susceptible to emotional stress, try completing the following questionnaire. Often, it can be easier to express sensitive issues on paper rather than in a face-to-face discussion. You may find that the very act of completing the questionnaire provokes thought and introspection, creating an awareness of the role stress is playing in your life.
Emotional Stress Questionnaire
Using the scale below, rate the following items/events according to how frequently they cause you emotional stress in the form of sadness, anxiety, fear, anger, depression, worry or guilt:
Children (leaving/returning home, marital difficulties) 1 2 3 4 5
Relationship issues with loved ones 1 2 3 4 5
Separation or divorce 1 2 3 4 5
A new relationship 1 2 3 4 5
Loneliness 1 2 3 4 5
Concerns about personal health 1 2 3 4 5
Illness or death of a parent, close relative or friend 1 2 3 4 5
Thoughts about retirement 1 2 3 4 5
Worrying about finances 1 2 3 4 5
Food and eating 1 2 3 4 5
Your physical appearance/body weight 1 2 3 4 5
Your physical activity levels 1 2 3 4 5
Moving home 1 2 3 4 5
Feelings of general unhappiness 1 2 3 4 5
Other _______________________________ 1 2 3 4 5
Answer the following questions:
Have you experienced any recent or sudden weight gain? YES/NO
Do you have frequent, general feelings of sadness, anxiety, loneliness, despair, resentment, anger, guilt, shame, boredom or fear? YES/NO
Have these feelings interfered with your normal daily functioning, including lifestyle habits such as healthy eating, regular exercise, not smoking, drinking alcohol only in moderation? YES/NO
Do you reach for food when feeling emotionally stressed? YES/NO
If yes, what sort of food do you usually reach for? ________________
Do you feel better after eating these foods? YES/NO
Are you a (circle one) binge-eater/chronic dieter/emotional eater/purger?
Do you have difficulty sleeping? YES/NO
Are you (circle one) pre-/peri-/post-menopausal?
Do you experience any menopausal symptoms? YES/NO
If so, are they severe enough to interfere with daily living? YES/NO
Are you (circle one): happy | somewhat satisfied | dissatisfied – with your current body weight?
Do you regularly participate in any stress-relieving activities, such as listening to relaxation tapes, meditating or attending mind-body classes (such as yoga or t’ai chi), or do you participate in individual or group counselling sessions with a social worker or other mental health professional? YES/NO
Are you taking any anti-anxiety/anti-depression
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