Stress

Stress is a state of altered psychological balance caused by internal or external stimuli, and is a natural response that affects everyone at some point. It's a feeling of emotional strain and pressure that can be a risk factor for mental and physical health conditions. Stress can be caused by many factors, including work, family, finances, discrimination, and early life adversity. Symptoms include chest pain, muscle tension, digestive issues, and sexual problems. 

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Many people, over the course of their lives, have experienced acute stress, a dramatic physiological and psychological reaction to a specific event. Chronic stress, however, is a consistent sense of feeling pressured and overwhelmed over a long period of time. 

“We humans are very good at facing a challenge, solving a situation, or reaching out to someone to get support, We’re wired to respond to stress and remove it, sometimes even automatically. But life has become more complex, and many situations don’t have easy answers.

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What causes chronic stress?

Causes of chronic stress could include poverty, a dysfunctional marriage or family, or a deeply dissatisfying job. In today's hectic society, there are many possible sources. Chronic stress slowly drains a person’s psychological resources and damages their brains and bodies. People experiencing chronic stress might feel incapable of changing their situations,

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What are the symptoms of chronic stress?

There are cognitive, emotional, physical and behavioral signs of chronic stress. Not all four of these categories of symptoms are necessarily going to show up in one person. but if someone has three to five of these symptoms for more than several weeks, they might be suffering from chronic stress. Those potential symptoms include:

• Aches and pains

• Insomnia or sleepiness

• A change in social behaviour, such as staying in often

• Low energy

• Unfocused or cloudy thinking

• Change in appetite

• Increased alcohol or drug use

• Change in emotional responses to others

• Emotional withdrawal

Ongoing stress reactions can interfere with productivity, relationships and health. People suffering from chronic stress often describe it as feeling ‘stuck,

 

What other conditions are related to chronic stress?

Chronic stress is linked to other conditions, both psychological and physical. These can include:

• Diseases such as hypertension, heart disease, obesity and metabolic syndrome, Type II diabetes, and arthritis.

• Addiction to alcohol, nicotine and/or prescription drugs, and behavioral-related such as addiction to the internet, food, or gambling.

• Mood disorders and anxiety disorders, which are common secondary diagnoses for people with chronic stress.

Hypertension, depression, addiction and anxiety disorders are the conditions most related to chronic stress

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How is chronic stress diagnosed?

A mental health professional can interview a patient to gather information about the overall presence of stress. Given the wide range of symptoms and linked conditions, the diagnosis may require input from other specialists. An integrative approach is best. I might pull in an endocrinologist to see a patient if I think a patient’s issues are related to metabolic problems, for instance. Stress biology, such as stress hormones and other physiological changes related to stress, may also perpetuate a chronic stress state and related conditions, so assessing those factors is also important.

 

How is chronic stress treated?

Patients with chronic stress often receive a treatment plan that targets their specific symptoms. A patient with digestive issues rooted in stress could go on medication, change his or her diet and also focus on stress reduction. It’s better to address these earlier, as a preventative approach.

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EAP Australia’s stress management recommendations include:

• Exercising

• Eating healthy foods

• Learning time management techniques

• Setting realistic goals

• Getting more sleep

• Making time for leisure activities

• Building stress reduction skills

• Learning and practicing mindfulness (learning to control attention)

 

It's important to work with a mental health professional who has experience treating chronic stress. To provide support for employees displaying traits of chronic stress please contact us to arrange confidential support and services.