Stress Management for Type A Individuals

  • Ethel Roskies
Chapter

Abstract

Since 1976 my colleagues and I have been engaged in the paradoxical task of seeking to develop a treatment program for apparently healthy men. The individuals who are the target of our therapeutic efforts neither consider themselves sick nor are they so regarded by their families, co-workers, and even doctors. On the contrary, these men are so full of energy and activity that they give the impression of being super-healthy. Even a short interview reveals their mental alertness, emotional expressiveness, and rapid pace of thought and speech. Their ability to fulfill valued social roles is also noteworthy. All hold responsible managerial positions, and most add to their job demands a host of family obligations and community activities. In spite of these multiple pressures, there are remarkably few complaints of anxiety and depression. Some of the men go so far as to state that they thrive on challenge and tight deadlines—the more the better. Even when a man does experience malaise, be it in the form of tight shoulder muscles or difficulty in falling asleep, the usual tendency is to minimize the degree of discomfort and to accept it as a necessary part of the “stress of modern life.”

Keywords

Coping Strategy Behavior Pattern Behavioral Medicine Stress Management Coronary Risk 
These keywords were added by machine and not by the authors. This process is experimental and the keywords may be updated as the learning algorithm improves.
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Copyright information

© Springer Science+Business Media New York 1989

Authors and Affiliations

  • Ethel Roskies
    • 1
  1. 1.Department of PsychologyUniversity of MontrealMontrealCanada

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