IIUMC4U: Get to Know Stress and How to Manage It?

IG Live session with Madam Rina

(9th May 2020)

• What is stress and its level?

Stress happen when we cannot cope with high demands such as a lot of assignments, exams and programmes. There are three level of stress; acute, episodic and chronic. Acute stress is common and it is not causes a big damage. Usually, acute stress can lead to anger, constipation problem, high blood pressure and migraine.

Episodic stress usually happens from past event or crisis. Usually, person with episodic stress will feel insecure, aggressive, not patient and has anxiety. This type of stress can cause issues in relationships and can results to physical problems such as asthma, flu and skin problems.

Chronic stress is the response to emotional pressure suffered for a prolonged period usually happens during childhood that caused by abuse, trauma or poverty. Also, can result to physical issues such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Person who has chronic stress need to receive help from both psychology and medical doctors. Also, chronic stress can lead to depression.

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• What is the average of stress level in IIUMK?

Usually students will come with acute stress and rarely chronic stress. Acute stress happens when there is a trigger such financial crisis, abundant of assignments, and friendship problems. When someone is having stress, he/she will see everything as negative, feel hopeless and refuse to communicate that lead to the disruption of daily activities.

But don’t worry because stress can be managed. Students with mild depression will be referred to the Family Health Clinic IIUM by counsellor. But if severe, he/she need psychotherapist help.

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• For the time being, is there any problems from off campus student?

No cases. There are only few students that need question to be answered and clarified.

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• How to overcome uncontrollable problems such as family crisis and financial problem?

Firstly, analyse the source of problem and focus for the solution. IIUM gives privilege for students to seek for counselling advice. Madam can channel towards the right help so we could change the changeable thing.

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• Does depression can be cured?

Depression can be cured. It is the matter of commitment. Practise healthy lifestyle and not only depends on medicine.

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• What is the relation between stress and faith in Islam?

Stress has no relation to relationship with Allah. Someone with stress need someone to validate and lessen the burden. Everyone has their own problem, so stress also one of the problems. Even the counsellor also can be stressed.

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• How to handle toxic social media that cause mental health issues?

Social media can cause anxiety. We need to slow down social media usage. We should remember that our life is not perfect. Not all social media post is absolute, it is just a piece of their life.

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• Can we ignore stress?

We cannot ignore stress, but we can cope stress by keeping ourselves busy to make us stay away from stress, depression and overthinking. Another tip is we can write a diary or journal to manage stress without burdening other people.

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• How to manipulate our own emotions?

We cannot deny our emotion, it is up to its own. But if we need someone to listen, so we need to find the right person to share with.

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• Last word

Accept Allah’s test with open heart, we feel calm. Allah tests those whom He love. “Allah does not burden a soul beyond that it can bear” (Quran, 2:286)