We have a God-given defensive system to help us in dangerous situations. The fight-or-flight mechanism pumps adrenaline into the bloodstream, and we are supplied with heightened senses and energy to cope successfully and quickly. In our everyday lives, this can become a prolonged response to a series of events that we typically call “stress.” Stress can be a good thing if it motivates us to make positive changes. It becomes destructive when we begin to develop health problems and destructive patterns, such as substance abuse, angry behavior, perfectionism, isolation, depression, chronic fear, distrust, inability to function, insomnia, marital or interpersonal conflict, etc. Counseling can help to identify and handle the stressors of life in positive ways.
