Situational stress is the feelings generated in the situation. This may occur on the way to work as traffic blocks our progress. It may occur at the workplace as the tasks, problems and crises delay our progress through the day. This sense of pressure may rise to a higher and higher level of frustration that may be expressed as irritation or anger. All these emotions are capable of interfering with interpersonal relationships, concentration, productivity and personal well-being, bringing us to the third stage of the stress reaction.
Reactive stress is a result of our escalating response to the situational stress.
In response to the rising pressure of events and problems, the feeling of urgency rises activating the flight or fight mechanism. In the face of the futility of these options the stress sufferer may regress into feelings of helplessness and hopelessness, these are central feelings in depression. This stage of stress has even more serious consequences for its sufferer. The Law Society of New South Wales is the professional association for the solicitors branch of the legal profession in the State of New South Wales, Australia. 170 Phillip Street, Sydney NSW 2000, Australia.