In recent years, researchers have been interested in the impact of mental and emotional wellness on people’s lives, particularly in people with an illness or condition. When faced with an injury, a traumatic event, or a disease, individuals react differently, which can affect the way they try to cope and adapt to their situation.
Studies have shown that an increased perception of stress is associated with increased health problems, which can have a negative impact on a person’s day-to-day life. Tracking stress levels and factors can help you preempt problems by anticipating them and finding better ways to cope with them.
If you or your loved one is suffering from MOG Antibody Disease and would like to learn about the latest research opportunities, you can get in touch with the Know Rare Support Team here.
What is perceived stress?
Perceived stress is measured not by how many negative life events or stressors have occurred but by capturing how much you feel your life is uncontrollable. This unpredictable feeling can affect your ability to deal with problems and difficulties, which is what causes the stress levels that can affect your health. (Stress and Epigenetics in Suicide, 2017)
In other words, it’s not the quantity of stressful events but the quality of how much the event makes you feel overwhelmed and out of control.
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TAKE THE PERCEIVED STRESS SURVEY (PSS)
Researchers are using the Perceived Stress Survey (PSS) to measure how stressful life events and circumstances can trigger or worsen disease symptoms. Stress also has a significant effect on sleep; therefore, this survey can also be used to uncover stress as the underlying cause of issues with achieving quality sleep.
The PSS is a quick 10-question survey, which should take about 5 minutes to complete. The higher your score, the greater your level of stress.
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