Anushay
Jan 1, 2012
Outline for Speech to Inform

Topic: Stress
Purpose: to inform
Specific purpose: to inform the audience about how our reaction to stressful situations allow us to cope, one way or another, with adverse conditions.

I. Introduction
A. Attention Getter: How many of you have heard the myth THAT STRESS CAN TURN HAIR GRAY, STRESS CAN CAUSE HAIR LOSS?? Well, there is some truth to that.
B. Credibility: I have been there where “I had too much to do and too little time”, which means stress. Zimbardo, author of the 2009 book Psychology Core Concepts, which I used as my primary source for this speech, stated that everyone suffers from stress to a greater or lesser degree throughout their lives and people cope with it in different ways, some positive some negative.
E. Importance to Audience: By the end of my speech, each of you will have new knowledge about the stress we face on a daily basis.
D. Thesis/Preview Statement: Stress is caused by many things in one’s immediate environment. Today, I am going to outline the three basic categories of stress: acute stress, episodic acute stress, and chronic stress. My goal is to inform you, so you can become more knowledgeable about characteristics of stress, its symptoms, duration, and treatment approaches.

II. Body
A. Acute stress is the most common stress.
1. Acute stress, also known as “Alarm stage,” is both thrilling and exciting. In the chapter where the author discusses physiological responses to stress, he defines acute stress as “A temporary state of arousal, caused by a stressor, with a distinct onset and limited duration” (Zimbardo, Johnson, & McCann, 2009, p. 631).
a. Causes includes traumatic events: death, the threat of death to oneself or others, the threat of serious injury to oneself or others, a threat to the physical integrity to oneself or to others; feeling of intense fear, horror, or helplessness.
b. Symptoms includes releases the adrenaline hormone-that burst of energy which causes many changes in body such as:
• Heart beats faster- more blood to muscles,
• Breathing rate increases- more oxygen to muscles and brain,
• Digestive system slows- don’t need it in emergency,
• More blood to brain- think better
• Blood sugar rises- more energy
• Pupils widen - see better
• Hearing ability increases
• Strength increases.

c. Reactions includes “Fight or flight” an unconsciously response for making quick decision to a situation e.g., fire.

2. Too much acute stress can result in negative physical and mental reactions.
a. The reactions of the body can include higher blood pressure, rapid heartbeat, sweaty palms, heart palpitations, dizziness, migraine headaches, cold hands or feet, shortness of breath, and chest pain
b. Some physical reactions may not be seen but certainly be felt; these might include heartburn, upset stomach, gut and bowel problems, acid stomach, flatulence, diarrhea, constipation, and irritable bowel syndrome.
c. Emotional reactions can include anger, irritability, anxiety, and even depression!
3. Acute stress can crop up in anyone's life, but fortunately, it is highly treatable and manageable.
a. Treatments includes quick recovery without any harmful effects to the body; avoid remembering traumatic events, people, conversations, places, objects, activities, thoughts, and feelings.
b. When one seeks treatment, it is important to always mention other causes: drug abuse, medications, health problems, or other psychiatric disorders when answering Doctor or mental healthcare provider about traumatic events and symptoms.

B. The other type of stress is episodic acute stress.
1. When the acute stress is not treated, one can get into an episodic acute stress stage. According to the author in this book, this stage is also known as “Resistance stage,” during this stage body adapts to and maintains resources to cope with the stressor.
a. Causes includes having disordered and chaotic lives, suffering acute stress frequently; mostly observed in people with “Type A” personality (competitive, aggressive, demanding and sometimes tense and hostile).
b. Symptoms are: persistent tension headaches, migraines, hypertension, chest pain and heart disease, Indigestion- gas and stomach aches, Asthma attacks (if you have asthma), Trouble sleeping, Aches and pains
c. Reactions includes short-tempered, irritable, anxious and tense

1. Treatment includes only promise and on track during recovery program

C. The third type of stress is Chronic.
1. Chronic stress is the stage where body feels worn down. This is also known as final stage of Exhaustion, which destroys bodies, minds and lives.
a. Reasons includes never ending troubles, stress of poverty, dysfunctional families or an unhappy marriage, and despised job or career
b. Symptoms includes bumps, excess oil, breakouts, develop a rash, acne, serious heart problems, Vomiting, Diarrhea, Extreme fatigue (tiredness), General sickness…death.
c. Reactions includes chronic stress kills through suicide, violence, heart attack, stroke and, perhaps, even cancer
2. Choric stress symptoms are difficult to treat; may require extended medical, behavioral treatment, and stress management.

III. Conclusion
A. (Restated Thesis): Now that you know the three basic types of stresses or stages; acute (alarm), episodic (episodic), and chronic (exhaustion). You can educate and make better decisions while coping or dealing with stress.
B. (Concluding sentence): Hopefully after today, you realize that only thinking positively and effectively can benefits our lives and love ones.