The Worry Factor

So what can you do to protect yourself? The first step is to learn the warning signs of stress, the physical symptoms that indicate that your body is reacting to unusual pressure. Everyone responds differently. Some women get headaches and muscle pain; others have trouble staying or falling asleep. For a complete list of warning signs and a quiz to determine your risk, visit the APA's Web site.

Think of these symptoms as a kind of language; they're your body's way of telling you that you need to change. And in order to change, you need to respond in the same language. When you are stressed, your body is prepared for action, and if you don't act, the stress reaction remains. Researchers think that may be why exercise helps many people by triggering a relaxation response. You don't have to spend hours at the gym. Even a brisk 10- or 15-minute walk several times a day can make a big difference. Certain kinds of yoga, especially when accompanied by deep breathing, are also very effective in bringing down stress levels.

Maintaining supportive social connections is particularly useful during times of prolonged stress, Davidson says. She also suggests giving yourself permission to engage in one relaxing and healthy activity each day, like taking a long walk or a long bath or reading a good book. Watching TV is not on her list, however. No matter what the show, you can't escape the possibility that stressful news will intrude.

If these simple efforts don't help, you should seek professional assistance. For many women, the first step is an appointment with your primary-care physician. Your doctor may want to examine you to make sure that your symptoms don't signal another underlying problem. That's a good thing, because, as mentioned above, too many doctors still may misdiagnose as stress potentially more serious symptoms in women. If your doctor doesn't suggest an exam, ask for one, but be very clear in your description of exactly what's bothering you so he or she knows what to look for.

If you feel your doctor is not taking your concerns seriously, get a second opinion. "My experience is that when a woman knows there's something wrong, she's always right," says Alexandra J. Lansky, director of the women's health initiative at the Cardiovascular Research Foundation and a cardiologist at Columbia University Medical Center. "Sometimes you need to be extremely proactive. I can't tell you how many women I've seen who have already seen two or three other physicians before they came to me."

If the ultimate diagnosis is stress rather than another physical or emotional problem, many doctors today may simply prescribe an anti-anxiety medication or an antidepressant. While medication can be very helpful, research has shown that a combination of medication and talk or behavioral therapy is the most effective treatment. Ask your doctor for a referral to someone trained in psychological issues, such as a psychologist or social worker. There's information about how to find a mental-health professional and tips for fighting stress on the APA's Web site. And for more general information about dealing with stress, go to the help center at the APA's Web site (www.apa.org). Most of us aren't in a position to fix the financial crisis, but we can improve our own responses to the mess. Now, let's hope that politicians and bankers do their jobs so we can all relax.

© 2008