Impact Of Chronic Stress On Your Mental Health; Understanding The Warning Signs

Every individual at some point in their lives has had stress about something. Stress is a natural reaction that occurs when your body experiences changes or challenges (stressors). During such times, your body produces physical and mental responses which is known as stress. Stress responses help you adjust to new situations and can be good for you as it keeps you alert, motivated and ready to avoid danger. However, stress can be a problem for your health if it becomes chronic. Yale Medicine says that chronic stress is a consistent sense of feeling pressured and overwhelmed over a long period of time. Chronic stress can happen due to several reasons and these include marriage troubles, issues at work and financial problems among others. It’s important to find ways to manage chronic stress as it can impact your health, including mental health.

Here, take a look at how chronic stress impacts your mental health. Anxiety and DepressionChronic stress increases the risk of anxiety and depression by disrupting the neurotransmitter balance in the brain. Persistent stress can lead to the overproduction of cortisol which affects mood and can lead to prolonged periods of anxiety or depression. Cognitive DeclineLong-term stress impairs cognitive functions, including memory, attention and decision-making. When you’re exposed to stress hormones like cortisol, it can damage the hippocampus which is the brain area crucial for learning and memory which leads to difficulty in processing information. Sleep DisordersChronic stress can also lead to insomnia or poor-quality sleep which further aggravates mental health issues. Changes in sleep patterns due to stress can disrupt the body’s circadian rhythms, leading to fatigue, irritability and impaired mental clarity. Emotional InstabilityChronic stress can also lead to increased emotional reactivity, including anger, irritability and mood swings. This emotional instability makes it harder to cope with everyday challenges and can also strain relationships, thereby, increasing mental distress. Risk of Substance AbuseChronic stress may cause people to use alcohol, drugs or other unhealthy coping mechanisms to manage their emotions. This behaviour can develop into substance dependence, creating a vicious cycle that worsens mental health issues. Social WithdrawalChronic stress can lead to social withdrawal and isolation, as people might feel overwhelmed and unable to engage with others. This withdrawal can lower social support which is important for mental health, thereby increasing feelings of loneliness and depression. BurnoutProlonged exposure to stress, especially in demanding work environments can lead to burnout which is characterised by emotional exhaustion, detachment and a sense of reduced accomplishment. Burnout impacts mental well-being and can lead to severe mental health conditions if not addressed. Warning Signs Of Chronic StressHere, take a look at some of the warning signs of stress, according to Mayo Clinic. Physical Symptoms

• Aches and pains
• Chest pain or a feeling like your heart is racing
• Exhaustion or trouble sleeping
• Headaches, dizziness or shaking
• High blood pressure
• Muscle tension or jaw clenching
• Stomach or digestive problems
• Trouble having sex
• Weakened immune system.

Psychological symptoms

• Anxiety or irritability
• Depression
• Panic attacks
• Sadness.

Behavioural symptoms

• Alcohol use disorder
• Gambling disorder
• Overeating or developing an eating disorder
• Participating compulsively in sex, shopping or internet browsing
• Smoking
• Substance use disorder.