What are some long term effects of stress

The Long-Term Effects of Stress: Physical and Mental Effects

It’s common to feel stressed sometimes — but chronic stress can lead to health issues such as heart, muscle, and gut problems.

You likely experience some form of stress on a daily basis, whether it’s sitting in traffic, trying to find lost car keys, or rushing to meet a work deadline. As frustrating as these moments can be, they typically pass quickly and you can move on with your day.

If stress becomes regular and severe, it can impact your physical health, career, relationships, and mental health.

That said, there are many coping methods to help you manage stress, promoting calm and even reversing the negative impacts of stress.

The stress response occurs when your body goes into fight, flight, or freeze mode. This physiological response is meant to protect you from danger.

When you’re in a situation your body perceives as threatening, your brain and body move into a stress response and work hard to keep you safe.

Your body responds in the same way when you’re consistently stressed. Chronic stress causes a constant heightened state of arousal that can take a toll on all aspects of your health.

Here’s how long-term stress may impact your body’s systems:

Cardiovascular system

Stress can cause your heart to beat faster and your body to release adrenaline, noradrenaline, and cortisol. The amount of blood pumping in your body also increases, which can increase blood pressure.

If these bodily responses occur regularly, you may have a higher chance of experiencing a heart attack, stroke, or high blood pressure.

Nervous system

When you’re stressed, your sympathetic nervous system (SNS) becomes active. This response happens quickly during periods of acute stress. Once the stress subsides, your parasympathetic nervous system (PNS) — the “rest-and-digest” system — takes over to help your body recover and relax.

Chronic stress can cause continuous activation of both systems, which can be draining on your body.

Endocrine system

In stressful situations, your adrenal glands produce more cortisol. Over time, this can cause fatigue, depression, or issues with your immune system.

Musculoskeletal system

When your body’s stress response kicks into gear, your muscles tense. Under chronic stress, your muscles may be in a constant state of tension, which can cause problems like chronic neck or jaw pain.

Respiratory system

Stress can cause you to experience chest tightness and shortness of breath, which can be problematic for people with pre-existing respiratory issues like asthma.

Gastrointestinal system

There’s a direct link between brain and gut health, so if you’re feeling stressed on a regular basis, you may also experience nausea or digestive discomfort.

Reproductive system

Low libido is a common side effect of chronic stress. Males may experience erectile dysfunction (ED) or impotence. Females may experience changes in their menstrual cycles and have trouble conceiving.

In some cases, chronic stress can also affect sperm production.

Immune health

Chronic stress may also impact your ability to fight off infection.

“Continuous exposure to cortisol suppresses immune function, resulting in protective antibodies being unable to get circulated,” Dr. Sanam Hafeez, an NYC neuropsychologist and director of Comprehend the Mind. “This results in an increase in infections and disease.”

Chronic stress can also cause:

changes in mood
anxiety
depression

It may also make it tougher to participate in regular physical activity, which can impact your overall well-being. Consistently high stress levels may also affect your relationships or self-worth.

Prolonged stress impacts all bodily systems and, in some cases, can cause serious harm.

“If our bodies are in a constant state of stress due to trauma, cultural climate, or present life stressors, the impacts of stress can only promote exhaustion for our system,” says Anna Boyd, a licensed professional counselor with Mindpath Health.

“When we are in a chronic state of hyperactivated sympathetic states for too long, the polyvagal theory states that we can drop down into our dorsal vagal response system,” she adds.

This is typically associated with physical and mental exhaustion, leading to burnout, severe depressive symptoms, and an inability to regulate mentally and physically.

“As a therapist, I have seen this lead to issues such as mental disarray, chronic pain, a diagnosis such as irritable bowel syndrome, high blood pressure, poor sleep, disconnection with motivation, inability to access gratitude or joy, and relationship problems,” Boyd explains.

“This is just a small list to add to the never-ending list of how chronic stress can negatively impact our systems.”

That said, reducing your stress levels and building healthy coping mechanisms can allow you to stay healthy and even reverse the negative effects of previous stress.

Numerous tools can help you manage stress effectively. But, it’s important to note that stress management isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach.

You may find it helpful to try out a few different techniques to see which ones work best for you.

Mindfulness techniques

Cultivating a mindfulness practice is beneficial for managing stress and maintaining optimal overall health.

A mindfulness routine can help you purposefully regulate your body to regulate the mind, Boyd explains. Mindfulness is cumulative, and every minute aids in allowing you to experience a more relaxed state.

Exercise

Physical activity might not prevent stress altogether, but it can improve your ability to cope with it.

“Exercising targets inflammation with a correlation to anti-inflammatory responses,” says Dr. Hafeez. “Mood and overall well-being are improved with exercise.”

Stay connected

Interacting with people in your life can help distract you from the lingering feelings of stress. Additionally, having people to talk with can make coping easier when you’re going through a stressful period.

Experiencing stress now and then is typical. But if you’re constantly stressed, it can have adverse long-term effects on your mental and physical health.

The mental effects of long-term stress can include mood changes, anxiety, and depression. Physically, stress affects every bodily system, and when left untreated, it can cause issues like heart problems, poor immune function, and more.

Developing healthy lifestyle habits and learning effective coping strategies can help you better manage stress and prevent it from doing long-term damage.

“When it comes to stress, there is certainly hope for change, and the best way to start is to start to acknowledge some of the symptoms you may be displaying of a hyperactive nervous system. Advocate for yourself, seek support, and find balance,” recommends Boyd.

The Long-Term Effects of Stress: Physical and Mental Effects

It’s common to feel stressed sometimes — but chronic stress can lead to health issues such as heart, muscle, and gut problems.

If stress becomes regular and severe, it can impact your physical health, career, relationships, and mental health.

That said, there are many coping methods to help you manage stress, promoting calm and even reversing the negative impacts of stress.

The stress response occurs when your body goes into fight, flight, or freeze mode. This physiological response is meant to protect you from danger.

When you’re in a situation your body perceives as threatening, your brain and body move into a stress response and work hard to keep you safe.

Your body responds in the same way when you’re consistently stressed. Chronic stress causes a constant heightened state of arousal that can take a toll on all aspects of your health.

Here’s how long-term stress may impact your body’s systems:

Cardiovascular system

If these bodily responses occur regularly, you may have a higher chance of experiencing a heart attack, stroke, or high blood pressure.

Nervous system

Chronic stress can cause continuous activation of both systems, which can be draining on your body.

Endocrine system

In stressful situations, your adrenal glands produce more cortisol. Over time, this can cause fatigue, depression, or issues with your immune system.

Musculoskeletal system

Respiratory system

Stress can cause you to experience chest tightness and shortness of breath, which can be problematic for people with pre-existing respiratory issues like asthma.

Gastrointestinal system

There’s a direct link between brain and gut health, so if you’re feeling stressed on a regular basis, you may also experience nausea or digestive discomfort.

Reproductive system

In some cases, chronic stress can also affect sperm production.

Immune health

Chronic stress may also impact your ability to fight off infection.

Chronic stress can also cause:

changes in mood
anxiety
depression

It may also make it tougher to participate in regular physical activity, which can impact your overall well-being. Consistently high stress levels may also affect your relationships or self-worth.

Prolonged stress impacts all bodily systems and, in some cases, can cause serious harm.

“When we are in a chronic state of hyperactivated sympathetic states for too long, the polyvagal theory states that we can drop down into our dorsal vagal response system,” she adds.

This is typically associated with physical and mental exhaustion, leading to burnout, severe depressive symptoms, and an inability to regulate mentally and physically.

“This is just a small list to add to the never-ending list of how chronic stress can negatively impact our systems.”

That said, reducing your stress levels and building healthy coping mechanisms can allow you to stay healthy and even reverse the negative effects of previous stress.

Numerous tools can help you manage stress effectively. But, it’s important to note that stress management isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach.

You may find it helpful to try out a few different techniques to see which ones work best for you.

Mindfulness techniques

Cultivating a mindfulness practice is beneficial for managing stress and maintaining optimal overall health.

Exercise

Physical activity might not prevent stress altogether, but it can improve your ability to cope with it.

“Exercising targets inflammation with a correlation to anti-inflammatory responses,” says Dr. Hafeez. “Mood and overall well-being are improved with exercise.”

Stay connected

Experiencing stress now and then is typical. But if you’re constantly stressed, it can have adverse long-term effects on your mental and physical health.

Developing healthy lifestyle habits and learning effective coping strategies can help you better manage stress and prevent it from doing long-term damage.

The effect of stress on the body | Blog Anti-Age Expert

Work, children, career, relationship difficulties - the list of sources of stress only gets longer over the years. And in moments of special experiences, the hypothalamus, the “checkpoint” of the brain, “turns on”. In tense situations, its task is to release stress hormones. At such moments, we feel how the heart is pounding, breathing quickens and muscles contract ...

This reaction of the body helps to protect it in an emergency, preparing it to react as quickly as possible. But when stress is repeated day after day, it is devastating to health. nine0003

Experts call stress the "silent killer." Let's figure out what its danger is and how to avoid serious consequences.

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Learn about the features of the International School of Anti-Age Expert, as well as opportunities to improve your medical practice day by day. Also in the webinar program are fascinating reviews of innovations in anti-aging medicine and analyzes of the most difficult clinical cases with recommendations that really work. nine0003 Learn more

What is stress

Stress is a natural physical reaction to life situations. Sometimes it is useful and even necessary, especially when an immediate or short-term response is required, such as in potentially dangerous circumstances. Your body responds to stress by increasing your heart rate and breathing rate and supplying oxygen to your muscles.

If this physiological response persists for weeks and stress levels remain high for longer than necessary, it can be detrimental to health. nine0003

However, in most cases, people do not pay attention to stress, while it takes a heavy toll on them. That is why it is important to know what its signs and symptoms are, as well as what the effect on the body is.

Types of stress

There are three types of stress: acute, episodic acute and chronic.

Let's see what their differences are:

nine0032 Acute stress.

It is the most experienced and arises as a result of the demands that we place on ourselves or others. Usually appears before an exciting moment, conflict, difficult situation, etc.

To some extent, this type of stress can be positive because it stimulates motivation and can serve as a defense mechanism. However, if you cross the line, it can lead to exhaustion and serious health consequences, both physical and mental. nine0003
Chronic stress.

This is the type of stress that most often affects people who find themselves in prisons, conditions of poverty, wars and circumstances that require constant vigilance.

Chronic stress is the most serious and causes significant problems for the psychological health of people suffering from it.
Episodic acute stress.

It affects people who set unrealistic goals for themselves and try to follow the requirements of society. Episodic acute stress is characterized by constant anxiety and a feeling of lack of control over the fulfillment of any requirement. A characteristic feature of people in episodic stress is anxiety about the future and a tendency to anticipate events.

Physical symptoms of stress

There are several typical signs of stress that can make themselves felt through physical well-being, namely:

Headache;

circulatory problems;

Heart palpitations;

nine0002 Voltage;

Abdominal pain;

Stomach upset;

sleep disorders;

Dizziness;

Frequent colds;

Poor or, conversely, increased appetite. nine0003

Psychological symptoms of stress

Stress is not limited to bodily manifestations. Here are his characteristic psychological symptoms:

Nervousness;

Hypersensitivity;

Feelings of helplessness and depression;
nine0039

Pessimism;

Despondency;

Difficulty concentrating;

Forgetfulness or difficulty in facing new phenomena.

Due to such a variety of symptoms, stress can affect not only the state of health in general, but also all areas of life. nine0003

What factors provoke a state of stress

There are two types of factors that can cause stress:

External stimuli: economic problems, family problems, overwork, fear, etc.
Internal irritants: pain, illness, feelings of inferiority, sociological and other problems. nine0003

Causes of stress

More and more people are suffering from stress, especially in big cities where you have to live at high speeds.

The Whole Living Journal published a study revealing the main causes of stress:

Lack of money and financial obligations.

Work overload. nine0003

Lack of job satisfaction.

disharmony in personal relationships.

Family anxiety.

The inability to say "no".

Lack of free time.

nine0002 Obsession with perfection.

Lack of motivation.

Regardless of the cause, it is very important to learn how to manage stress.

Stages of stress

There are 3 main stages of stress:

1. Mobilization phase. This is an immediate response to a dangerous or difficult situation. At this point, the heart rate increases, hormones such as cortisol are released, and the body receives an energetic boost of adrenaline to help it respond. nine0003

2. Resistance phase. After the first exposure to stress, the body needs to relax and return to normal. However, if we do not overcome the situation that generates stress, the body remains vigilant and gets used to high levels of blood pressure and hormones.

3. Exhaustion phase. At this stage, stress becomes chronic, and it becomes increasingly difficult for the body to deal with it. Its impact is felt emotionally and physically through various reactions: nine0003

Stressful situations happen to us inevitably, but if we find a way to deal with them, many of their negative effects can be avoided or at least reduced.

Health problems resulting from stress

Emotional overstrain can literally hit almost all organs and systems. Let's take a closer look at how stress affects our body. nine0003

Effect of stress on the muscular system. When we are under great stress, our muscles tense up as a physical reaction to the load. This automatic response is the body's way of protecting itself from pain and injury. Only when the initial stress passes does our musculoskeletal system begin to relax and release the accumulated tension.

This buildup of tension can also lead to headaches and more severe migraine attacks. Most headaches, mild to moderate, are often caused by muscle tension in the head, neck, and shoulders. nine0003
Over time, these stress-related pains can create a vicious cycle. Some people stop exercising because of these discomforts and take painkillers. However, due to inactivity, muscle atrophy can exacerbate chronic diseases of the musculoskeletal system. After all, the human body is designed to move and be active, which is why many doctors recommend exercise to reduce muscle tension and reduce stress-related strain on the musculoskeletal system. nine0003
Effects of stress on the cardiovascular and respiratory systems. The long-term effects of stress generally lead to a wide range of cardiovascular problems. Stress hormones (adrenaline, norepinephrine, and cortisol) cause blood vessels to constrict to send more oxygen and energy to the muscles. But it also raises blood pressure. As a result, frequent or chronic stress causes the heart to work too hard and at too long intervals. The constant fight-or-flight response takes a toll on the human body, leading to an increased risk of stroke and heart attacks. nine0003
In addition, ongoing acute stress can contribute to inflammation in the coronary arteries and vessels.

Thanks to estrogen, women's blood vessels work better during times of increased stress, thereby protecting them from heart damage. However, postmenopausal estrogen levels are greatly reduced, and the female body becomes more susceptible to the effects of stress.

Stress hormones also affect the respiratory system. During the physiological response to stress, breathing speeds up to distribute oxygen-rich blood throughout the body as quickly as possible. But if you have breathing problems like asthma or emphysema, stress can make your condition worse. nine0003
Effect of stress on the central nervous system. The central nervous system (CNS) is responsible for the body's reaction to danger ("fight or flight"). In the brain, the hypothalamus triggers a response, signaling the adrenal glands to release adrenaline and cortisol. These stress hormones speed up your heart rate in order to send more blood to your muscles, heart, vital organs, and other parts of the body that need it most in times of danger. nine0003
When the situation is “taken under control”, the hypothalamus should, in theory, signal all of these systems to return to normal. But if this does not happen, or if the source of stress does not disappear, these physiological reactions continue.

Chronic stress is also associated with behavioral disorders, including eating disorders, alcoholism, drug addiction, and social isolation.
nine0002 Effect of stress on the digestive system. When you are under stress, the liver increases the production of blood sugar (glucose) to give the body an energy boost. But when it comes to chronic stress, the body cannot adapt to the frequent spikes in blood sugar. It is for this reason that chronic stress contributes to the development of type 2 diabetes.

Elevated heart rate, rapid breathing, and stress hormones can also disrupt the digestive system. And because of the increased acidity in the stomach, the risk of acid reflux and heartburn increases. Note that stress alone does not cause ulcers, which are most commonly caused by the bacterium Helicobacter pylori. However, stress increases the risk of developing an ulcer and can worsen an existing one. nine0003
Increased nervous tension can also lead to diarrhea or constipation. Finally, people under stress can also suffer from nausea, vomiting, and indigestion.
Effects of stress on sexuality and the reproductive system. It exhausts both the body and the mind. Those under constant stress often experience a significant loss of libido. True, in humans, short-term stress increases testosterone production, but this effect is not sustainable. And with prolonged stress in men, testosterone levels can decrease. Therefore, it can disrupt sperm production and cause erectile dysfunction. nine0003
Chronic stress also increases the risk of infections in the male reproductive organs, especially the prostate and testicles. In women, stress can disrupt the menstrual cycle, leading to irregular, heavier, and more painful periods. Chronic stress can also exacerbate the physiological symptoms of menopause.
Effect of stress on the immune system. It stimulates and strengthens the immune system, which is very useful in the face of immediate danger. In particular, strengthening your immune system can help you avoid infections and heal wounds faster. But over time, stress hormones can, on the contrary, weaken the immune system and, therefore, reduce the body's immune response to "invasions" from the outside. nine0003

Thus, people who are chronically stressed are more likely to contract viral illnesses such as the flu, colds, and other infections. Stress can also slow down the healing of various injuries and affect our emotional health.

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How stress can cause depression

It is perfectly normal to experience daily mood swings, ups and downs. But under conditions of chronic stress, the human mind is prone to depression. It happens when a by-product of stress hormones makes us feel tired or exhausted.

This feeling of low energy may persist and negatively affect the desire and ability to perform daily activities. This condition is known as "major depression". nine0003

Major depression symptoms:

Insomnia and other sleep problems.
Prolonged fatigue, feeling of loss of strength.
Increased irritability and arousal.
Significant changes in appetite.
nine0039
Feeling worthless.
Feelings of guilt and self-hatred.
Feelings of hopelessness, which can lead to suicidal thoughts.

Those who suffer from major depression may develop other psychiatric disorders. If you are chronically stressed and have thoughts of self-destruction, seek help. This can either be a doctor or someone you trust and respect. nine0003

What makes stress worse

Stress can cause, and in some cases exacerbate, some health problems. For example, these:

Depression and anxiety.

Pain of any kind in any part of the body.

Sleep problems.

Autoimmune diseases. nine0003

Digestive problems.

Skin diseases, especially eczema.

Cardiovascular disease.

Weight gain or loss.

reproductive problems.

In addition, emotional overstrain can affect our behavior.

How stress affects behavior and personality

Stress hormones present in the body can damage brain cells. In particular, in the hippocampus, as well as in the frontal lobe. The hippocampus is the area responsible for memory retention, while the frontal lobe is responsible for vigilance (attention) and the use of judgment to solve various problems. nine0003

Obviously, those who are repeatedly stressed will subsequently have difficulties:

Problems with learning new things;

Preservation of newly acquired knowledge;

Poor self-discipline;

Low concentration; nine0003

Difficulty in making decisions.

Stress and anxiety go hand in hand. Many people who are stressed have some form of anxiety disorder.

What determines the body's resistance to stress?

Despite the fact that stress is harmful for everyone, the level of its tolerance varies from person to person. It depends on several factors: nine0003

“Support group”. A strong bond with family or friends can play an important role in coping with stress. A person who can rely on others is less stressed than a lonely person.

Feeling of control. If you are a confident person and believe that you are in control of your life, you are less likely to become a victim of chronic stress compared to a person who “goes with the flow” and blames circumstances for all his failures. nine0003

Worldview. Life outlook can protect you from chronic stress. If you are an optimistic and hopeful person who is ready to take on the challenges of life, you can easily prevent the harmful effects of stress on your emotional state and on your body.

Ability to deal with emotions. If you have the ability to recognize and accept your emotions and deal with them properly, you are much less likely to get caught up in chronic stress. At the same time, neglecting emotions is not at all a way out of stress, as many people think. You must give yourself enough time to deal with your emotions and overcome the detrimental effects of stress on your body. nine0003

Coping with stress

According to the American Psychological Association, there are different types of stress, and there is no single method for dealing with them. So everyone has to find their own way.

However, there are a few general guidelines that might work:

Move away from the cause of stress temporarily. Once you have identified the situation that is causing you stress, put it off as much as possible. It's not about avoiding a problem that you must solve, but about giving yourself a break from excessive mental stress. nine0003
Go in for sports. Exercise regulates physiological processes, helping to cope with stress and anxiety. A 10-year study of 288 families found that those who exercise experienced less anxiety. In addition, they tolerate the first stages of stress more easily than those who do not engage in any physical activity.

During exercise, the body releases endorphins, which are natural pain relievers produced by our bodies. nine0003
In addition, hormonal activity decreases, so the body produces less cortisol.

Exercise makes it easier to fall asleep, so the body and mind get more rest.

Daily exercise such as walking, dancing or cycling, for example, will help you manage stress better.
Practice yoga. Few exercises are as effective as yoga when it comes to stress management. In addition to the benefits of the exercises described above, research has shown that yoga acts as an antidepressant and sedative, as well as relaxing the mind. nine0003
In addition, yoga promotes concentration, which helps to mentally separate yourself from the cause of stress.
Meditate. Meditation also helps to relax the body and mind. Focusing on the breath or the environment will force you to momentarily take your mind off the issue that is causing you stress. Taking a step back will open up a new perspective for you.
nine0032 Try natural antidepressants. Infusions of natural herbs such as valerian, green tea or lemon balm have been proven to reduce stress.
Do fun and interesting things with your family or friends.

Laughter is known to help relieve stress. In addition, listen to music, visit new places with friends or family, and take up hobbies like painting or making crafts. Doing interesting things will keep you out of trouble. nine0003

If none of this works, seek professional help.

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Stress is a physiological response to life's circumstances, but if it persists longer than necessary, it can be detrimental to health.

There are three phases of stress: mobilization, resistance, exhaustion.

Stress affects the muscular, respiratory, cardiovascular, central nervous, digestive, and reproductive systems. nine0003

Stress can lead to depression and exacerbate existing health problems, as well as cause new ones.

It also influences human behavior.

Resilience to stress depends on certain factors.

You can minimize the effects of stress with simple guidelines. nine0003

References

Martin V. Cohen, Ph.D. "Stress: The Silent Killer" 2000.

Emily Deans M.D. "Stress: The Killer Disease" Psychology Today, 2012.

Steve Tovian, PhD, Beverly Thorn, PhD, Helen Coons, PhD, Susan Labott, PhD, Matthew Burg, PhD, Richard Surwit, PhD, and Daniel Bruns, PsyD. American Psychological Association 2016. nine0003

Marissa Maldonado, Sovereign Health Group "How Stress Affects Mental Health" Psych Central, 2017.

National Institutes of Health "5 Things You Should Know About Stress" 2017.

Antoni MH, Baggett L, Ironson G, LaPerriere A, Klimas N, et al. Cognitive behavioral stress management intervention buffers distress responses and elevates immunological markers following notification of HIV-1 seropositivity. J. Consult. Clin. Psychol. nineteen91;59:906–915. [PubMed][Google Scholar]

Antoni MH, Cruess DG, Cruess S, Lutgendorf S, Kumar M, et al. Cognitive behavioral stress management intervention effects on anxiety, 24-hour urinary catecholamine output, and T-cytotoxic/suppressor cells over time among symptomatic HIV-infected gay men. J. Consult. Clin. Psychol. 2000a;68:31–45. [PubMed][Google Scholar]

Antoni MH, Cruess S, Cruess DG, Kumar M, Lutgendorf S, et al. Cognitive-behavioral stress management reduces distress and 24-hour urinary free cortisol output among symptomatic HIV-infected gay men. Ann. behavior. Med. 2000b;22:29-37. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]

Stress | The CALDA Clinic

Treatment Options: Stress

Everyone knows about stress in today's society. Randomly occurring stressful situations are normal and part of life. However, constant stress maintains a stable anxiety state in the body. This can lead to the development of a serious illness. It has been proven that not only massive and prolonged stressful situations are harmful, but even relatively weak stressors can lead to mental and physical illnesses in the long run. This is because, in addition to the intensity and duration of a stressful event, individual resistance also plays an important role in how much constant overexertion affects the body. For example, traumatic experiences and even prenatal experiences such as trauma to the mother during pregnancy can lead to heightened stress sensitivity. nine0003

Chronic stress. Important signs

chronic mental strain;
heart problems;
trouble concentrating;
nervousness;
irritability;
sleep disorders.

Stress: what is it really?

Stress is the body's physical and emotional response to dangerous situations or sudden problems. Examples: You want to pay and notice that the wallet is missing. You have an important meeting, and someone spills coffee on your jacket. If something unexpected or extreme happens, the body spontaneously switches into stress mode: the pulse quickens, blood pressure rises, heartbeat and breathing quicken, digestion stops, muscles tense up. The body is now optimally prepared for either flight or immediate attack. This relic of the Stone Age once provided survival in the face of serious threats, because it provides an instant release of all available resources. However, in modern everyday life, where it is extremely rare to have to protect life, this pattern is most often useless. Because difficult problems are usually not solved by either running or fighting. Most people get numb to some degree during this kind of nervous overload, and are overwhelmed and try to calm down again in one way or another. The physical responses that quickly reduce the flow of stress hormones in the body, such as running or wrestling, are usually absent. This is why, in normal daily life, it takes the body and mind a relatively long time to calm down after stressful situations. At the same time, if there is enough time for recovery, the body and psyche will restore balance, and there will be no trace of stress. nine0003

Why is chronic stress so bad?

However, if stressful situations continue to attack for a long time without proper recovery, the body remains in an alarming state for an unnaturally long time. Since simultaneous mental stress is common today, and mobile devices make us available almost anywhere and at any time, constant stress is often accepted as the norm. In the body, constantly under the pressure of stress, important regeneration processes cease to occur. Gradually, this leads to exhaustion and weakening of the immune system. This can be seen in the long term in the various physical and mental symptoms, which usually appear insidiously but gradually increase and become more varied. nine0003

Symptoms: how does chronic stress manifest itself?

Some typical signs of chronic stress

sleep disorders;
anxiety;
depressive mood;
reduced performance;
lethargy;
trouble concentrating;
memory impairment;
frequent colds and infections;
muscle tension; nine0039
teeth grinding;
stomach pain and digestive problems;
tension headaches and migraines;
loss of libido;
problems with potency.

Common causes of chronic stress

The causes of chronic stress can be very different. They can arise both at the physical and mental levels, influence us from the outside or be created by ourselves. In addition, the various triggers of stress - the so-called stressors - are evaluated by the body in different ways and very individually. Waiting in a 20-minute traffic jam can piss one off, while the other will react calmly. But even if we take into account the different tolerance to stress in different people, it is possible to identify certain reasons for which the highest percentage of people react with stress. These include:

Conflicts

Resentments, disputes, quarrels and unresolved long-term conflicts with other people, whether it be a spouse, family members, neighbors, business partners, competitors, etc., cause chronic stress for many people.

Work and career

Constant overload at work, rush jobs, double workloads (at work and at home), lack of free time - but also underload, lack of work, insufficient order volume, boredom and lack of success - all this can also cause chronic stress. nine0003

Mental features

Working hard habits, perfectionism, striving for recognition, and heavy dependence on the opinions of others, often combined with low self-esteem, can also lead to chronic stress.

Health and physical needs

Illness, physical limitations, pain, disability, lack of physical activity, unhealthy diet, as well as hunger, thirst, heat, cold and lack of sleep are all important factors that cause stress. nine0003

Ambient conditions

The ever-increasing consumption of media content (TV, mobile phone, Internet, computer games, etc.), constant availability for calls, continuous noise and sensory overload also increase stress levels.

Special life events

Separation or divorce, death or serious illness of a loved one, caring for a relative or other blows of fate also often lead to mental overload. nine0003

Physical injury

Experienced physical traumas, wars and catastrophes, unknowingly experienced prenatal trauma caused by stressful experiences of the mother during pregnancy, can also contribute to increased stressful effects.

Common comorbidities and complications of chronic stress

There are usually several causes that lead to chronic stress in the long term. If the first symptoms of stress are not taken seriously by the patient or are not associated with the real cause, then constant stress can develop into serious diseases. The most common comorbidities of chronic stress include mental illnesses such as

—Depression

If stress occurs very often or for a long period of time without sufficient recovery phases, then, among other things, there is an imbalance of important hormones responsible for performance and bringing feelings of happiness. This can lead to depression or greatly aggravate an existing depression.

— Burnout

Overexertion, chronic stress and overload are also fraught with burnout. The line between depression and burnout is usually blurry. nine0003

—Anxiety disorders

Chronic stress can also cause anxiety disorders. The exact connection has not yet been established. However, there is evidence that persistent stressful experiences lead to epigenetic changes, which in turn affect the activity of enzymes that activate the anxiety center.

—Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

An extremely severe stressful event, such as a serious car accident, violence, war, or natural disaster, can overwhelm a person's psyche so much that the reaction to it does not appear immediately, but only after weeks, months or even years. As a rule, traumatic sensations can be re-evoked by certain triggers. nine0003

—Eating disorders

Chronic stress can also contribute to the development of eating disorders. The pleasant sensation of eating can be misused to reduce stress and can lead to overeating with or without vomiting. Since the patient is able to realize the loss of control over himself, as a measure of "counteraction" he can practice active fasting.

—Addictive disorders

To cope with stress, many people use commonly available drugs such as nicotine, caffeine and alcohol, which can be addictive in the long term. In order to improve performance in case of chronic stress, the patient is increasingly using stimulants such as Ritalin, cocaine or other substances, which then require the use of sedatives in order to restore normal sleep. nine0003

—Obsessive-Compulsive Disorders

In some people, chronic stress can also lead to obsessive-compulsive disorder, in which you have to repeat certain actions and thoughts over and over again to achieve a proper sense of security.

—Borderline Personality Disorder

In some people, severe psychological stress during childhood (prolonged stress) and often experienced psychological trauma can lead to the development of borderline personality disorder. This mental personality disorder is characterized by instability in self-esteem, severe mood swings, and self-harm to improve well-being. nine0003

Physical complications

In addition, chronic stress increases the risk of serious physical diseases such as

diabetes mellitus;
allergies;
autoimmune diseases;
bronchial asthma;
migraine;
back pain;
irritable bowel syndrome; nine0039
gastritis;
tinnitus;
severe hearing loss;
impotence;
infertility;
obesity.

What are the treatments for chronic stress?

The list of negative effects of chronic stress on physical and mental health is long and varied. In the worst cases, chronic stress can even be fatal. Therefore, medical intervention at the earliest possible stage and comprehensive treatment are extremely important. Traditional medicine primarily involves the use of behavioral therapy, as well as the use of relaxation techniques and medicines. nine0003

Everything is different with us!

Since the causes and consequences of chronic stress are very different and complex individually, CALDA clinic specialists use a multimodal approach in the treatment of this disease. It is a holistic approach that uses a balanced combination of the most effective and proven treatments from different specialized disciplines.

The CALDA concept: let me help you! nine0003

As a client of the CALDA clinic, you are assigned a 1:1 individual therapy based on the CALDA concept, which is tailored specifically to your needs. It is a personalized, highly effective, holistically oriented, ultra-precise therapy: scientifically based methods of classical medicine are combined with specially approved therapies of complementary, traditional Chinese (TCM) and orthomolecular medicine.

Your benefit: Treatment with the CALDA concept works very effectively at different levels of the body and is problem oriented. As a result, amazing results can be achieved in a short time - and often without the use of psychotropic drugs! nine0003

CALDA concept

Our motto and guarantee:

we treat the causes, not the symptoms!

If possible, we work without psychotropic drugs!

Our time and all our know-how are exclusive services for a specific client.

The CALDA concept: every therapy is based on a correct diagnosis

A comprehensive and detailed diagnosis is the basis of every treatment according to the CALDA concept.