BARKSDALE PERSONAL STRESS EVALUATION
WHAT IS KEEPING YOU FROM FEELING GOOD?
CHART YOUR PROGRESS
Test your score before the start of the stress reduction process and then chart it every month until you have achieved the desired target level on the Stress Control Progress Chart . We will follow the L.S. Barksdale program as laid out in his book:
DO THE EVALUATION
Stress is mental, physical, and emotional tension which limits your potential and keeps you from "feeling good." This evaluation measures your current level of stress your personal stress index (PSI). It is essential that you answer these statements according to how you actually feel or behave, rather than according to any concepts you have about how you "should" or "shouldn't" feel or behave.
Very strongly agree (VA); Strongly agree (SA); Agree (A);
Somewhat agree (WA); Disagree (DA)
First column = level of agreement or disagreement
Second column = Raw score per item
___ ___ 1. I am easily angered by others' undesirable attitudes and behavior.
___ ___ 2. I feel trapped by circumstances, demands and obligations.
___ ___ 3. I have a compulsive need to do "more" and "better."
___ ___ 4. I often put off doing things that I feel I ought to do now.
___ ___ 5. I experience insecurity and anxiety about my future.
___ ___ 6. I have an intense need for appreciation, love, and caring.
___ ___ 7. I have a strong need for recognition and respect.
___ ___ 8. I have a compulsive need to meet others' requests, demands, and
expectations.
___ ___ 9. I deeply resent unfair situations and events.
___ ___ 10. I do not get the recognition and credit I feel I deserve.
___ ___ 11. I have an intense need for attention and approval.
___ ___ 12. I find responsibility difficult to handle.
___ ___ 13. I have an intense need for the confirmation and agreement of others.
___ ___ 14. I find my life unfulfilling and meaningless.
___ ___ 15. I often feel inadequate, inferior, unworthy and guilty.
___ ___ 16. I am extremely impatient and easily frustrated.
___ ___ 17. I have a compulsive need to prove my worth.
___ ___ 18. I find it difficult to make decisions and stick to them.
___ ___ 19. I am harsh and demanding with myself.
___ ___ 20. I have a strong need to control people, situations, and events.
___ ___ 21. I blame myself for mistakes, defeats, and failures.
___ ___ 22. I experience anxiety about undertaking new endeavors.
___ ___ 23. I worry a great deal about my work and my loved ones.
___ ___ 24. I have a driving need to win -- to be the "best."
___ ___ 25. I am very critical of people and displeasing behavior.
___ Total score
Scoring: Go through and insert the scores on all the lines with the same letters, then do the same for the next four combinations (it will take less time).
DA = 0
WA = 1
A = 2
SA = 3
VA = 4
Meanings Of The Score
0 to 20 Favorable
20 to 50 A definite handicap to one's well-being
50 + Indicates a damaging level of stress that, if prolonged, could well be
higher than the human organism can tolerate.
MY COMMITMENT
___ I see the value in lowering my stress to a reasonably low level, as it will reduce my negative feelings substantially, improve my health, and have me feeling better about myself and life. I will also have more energy.
___ Because getting the above value is worth far more than the cost in hours, I
commit lowering my stress to at most this target level of ____.
___ I am aiming to have it at that level by ___/___/___.
___ I will take the stress test and record the score monthly and note it on my
progress chart.
___ I realize that I will begin getting some benefits virtually from the start and that
they will then progress upward, such that the value I receive should be well
more than the cost.
Copyright 1980 by Lilburn S. Barksdale
