Stress is a natural response the human body has to particular circumstances. While some stress is entirely normal, and some could even help us avoid dangerous situations, too much can be harmful to a person’s mental and physical health.
Stress is the body’s natural response to potentially dangerous or anxiety-inducing circumstances. While it can be disruptive to a person’s life and harmful to health if left unchecked, it is a natural occurrence that will affect every at times. Stress can even be helpful as it can often prevent us from putting ourselves in danger or from taking on more than we can handle.
While feeling stressed at times is completely natural, some people are more susceptible to its effects than others. One out of three adults in the United States reports experiencing high levels of stress regularly. If left unchecked, high levels of stress can seriously affect a person’s mental and physical health.
It can often feel that more and more people are regularly stressed each year. This may be a sign of changing work environments and expectations, financial issues that many adults in the United States are forced to face, or family dynamics.
Certain mental health conditions can also cause stress. Anxiety disorders, such as social anxiety or generalized anxiety disorder, can cause a person to feel incredibly high levels of stress frequently. Depression or bipolar disorder can also cause an increased feeling of tension.
When left unchecked, high levels of stress can cause a variety of symptoms. When a person feels stressed, they are expending a lot of energy as a result. The energy used here is taken away from other areas of the mind or body, which can cause a person to feel drained or weary.
Every person may react differently to high stress levels. A change in eating habits or behavior is commonly associated with stress. This can present as potential binge eating or the avoidance of food.
One of the most common symptoms of being stressed is mood changes. A person feeling stressed will seem tense and irritable. Restlessness is also a common symptom, which can lead to difficulty falling or staying asleep.
The draining of energy that stress can cause will often lead a person to feel constantly exhausted. It can also affect cognitive function, making it difficult to concentrate or focus on the task at hand. A person’s sex drive can also be negatively impacted due to a lack of energy.
Stress can also cause a variety of physical symptoms. Some people may experience certain stomach issues as a result of their stress. This can include nausea or vomiting, indigestion, cramps, or diarrhea. These can often be incredibly disruptive symptoms to manage in a person’s life and can lead to the buildup of even higher stress levels.
Headaches are another symptom incredibly common to people feeling stressed. Because changing stress levels can cause a hormonal imbalance in the body, acne is also a common side effect of high stress.
Stress itself can not directly kill you but, left unchecked, could lead to symptoms that have the potential to be life-threatening. That is, simply being in a stressful circumstance is not dangerous. Instead, how your body reacts to stress can be harmful to your health, especially if stress is a frequent occurrence in your life.
One of the most common symptoms associated with stressful circumstances that have the potential to be life-threatening is a strain put on the heart. High stress levels can cause a variety of different heart issues. High blood pressure, a rapid heartbeat, and high cholesterol levels can also be dangerous and are related to stressful situations.
Even a healthy heart, over time, can develop serious issues when regularly exposed to high stress. The outcome can be even more dangerous for people who may have an underlying or pre-existing heart condition.
It is also proven that people who deal with high stress are far more likely to develop illnesses than others. One study suggests that people who often feel stressed are 70% more likely to get sick and stay sick for a more extended period.
Stress can be reduced in a variety of ways. Psychotherapy options can help a person build coping skills that can help avoid stressful situations in the future. Cognitive behavioral therapy is an excellent example of an approach that is helpful in this situation.
Cognitive behavioral therapy focuses on identifying negative thoughts and feelings that can often lead to destructive or unhealthy behaviors. By reframing these negative emotions in new, objective ways, therapists can promote positive behavioral change in the future. In severe cases, anti-anxiety medications may also be prescribed.
There are also many things that a person can do to help reduce feelings of being stressed. Exercise, meditation, and yoga have been scientifically proven to reduce anxiety and tension in the body. Also, finding ways to be happy or relaxed helps take your mind off the circumstances causing these negative feelings. Different hobbies or spending quality time with loved ones can also be beneficial.
At AM Health Care, we are to help you deal with your mental health in any way possible. We believe in designing a treatment plan that precisely suits your condition and your needs. Mental health disorders can be disruptive and potentially dangerous when left untreated, so there is no reason to wait any longer. Please call us today at 818-383-1297 to learn more about how we can help you and potential treatment options.
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