This study sought to determine some effects that stress has on teachers and if there were differences between the stress experienced by regular classroom teachers and the stress experienced by special education teachers. Subjects were elementary and secondary school teachers. The survey instrument used was the Teacher Occupational Stress Factor Questionnaire. Responses provided information on teachers' perceptions of professional adequacy, interpersonal relationships, and job satisfaction. Results indicated that individual psychological characteristics influence the perception of stress. Individuals scoring high on perfectionist attitudes were inclined to anticipate stressful events before they happened and the anticipation produced psychological changes characteristic of actual stress. No difference was found between regular and special education teachers in their perception of stress. It is concluded that stress is largely an individually perceived phenomenon caused by personality traits and individual belief systems, rather than by purely environmental or occupational factors. (JD)