Clinical Stress and Stress Management Discussed at Istanbul Sabahattin Zaim University

The “Clinical Stress and Stress Management” program organized by the Faculty of Health Sciences at Istanbul Sabahattin Zaim University was held at the Abdullah Tivnikli Conference Hall. The program, delivered by IZU Lecturer Dr. Esra Albal, was attended by the Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences Prof. Dr. Ayşe Nefise Bahçecik, Vice Dean Assoc. Prof. Dr. Zülfünaz Özer, academics, and students.
In her speech, Albal stated that stress is a natural response of the organism to events that disrupt the body’s balance and that it is observed across all cultures around the world. She discussed the definition of stress, types of acute and chronic stress, as well as its physiological and psychological symptoms. Albal noted that the level of stress is related to how individuals perceive and evaluate the events they encounter. She explained that individuals initially assess stimuli as threats or losses through unconscious processes and then develop coping strategies through cognitive re-evaluation. According to Albal, the reason why the same event does not create the same effect in every individual stems from these perceptual differences.
Albal also emphasized that stress at a tolerable level is a vital system that prepares individuals for potential dangers, keeps the body alert, and supports survival. The program further highlighted that personality traits, environmental, and cultural factors influence coping mechanisms, underlining the importance of developing healthy strategies for effective stress management.