Ep# 188: Stress is so Frustrating

In this episode, Dr. Kashey talks about the concept of stress, particularly chronic stress, and its relationship with frustration. He explains that stress is a biological response to perceived threats or demands, rather than the cause itself. Dr. Kashey discusses how people often misuse the term "stress" to refer to stressors or frustrating stimuli, which can lead to emotional disturbances and subsequent biological stress responses. He introduces the STFU (Stimulus, Thinking, Feeling, Urging) model to illustrate how frustrating stimuli can trigger a cyclical interaction between thoughts, feelings, and urges, potentially leading to a stress response. Dr. Kashey emphasizes that chronic stress often arises when individuals engage in "double trouble," where they interpret practical frustrations as emotional disturbances and threats to their safety, perpetuating the stress response.