Stress is our body\'s response while someone face a sense of danger. When we see
ID: 3471417 • Letter: S
Question
Stress is our body's response while someone face a sense of danger. When we see the stressor some physical changes can occur automatically not only that emotional and cognitive effects can occur during the stressful situation.
Physical Changes
Some common changes can occur when someone is facing a stressor. These common physical changes are
Low level of body energy
Headache
Insomnia
Heart beats can be faster
Chest pain can occur
Heart attack and heart diseases can occur for a long-term presence of the stressor.
High level of blood pressure
Secretion of stress hormone like Adrenocorticotropic Hormone(ACTH)
Fight or Flight
According to DSM-4(Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders), The Fight OR Flight response can also occur due to this kind of stressful situation.The Sympathetic Nervous system of the body becomes activated when we face some stressful situation. So our body face some changes during the stressful situation. Fight or Flight response can prepare our body to resist this kind of situation.All the body changes mostly occurs during the Fight or Flight Response.
Emotional Effects of Stress
According to PNI research, an extreme stressful situation can lead to some emotional problems and can also responsible for some mental disorders like
Personality Disorder
General Anxiety Disorder
Panic Attack
Bipolar Mood Disorder
Not only that, Emotional disbalancy can also occur for facing a stressful situation. According to some significant researches, when a person suffers for a stressful situation, his emotional stability can damage.
Cognitive Effects
An extreme level of stress can hamper someone's cognitive development. Some common cognitive problems can be arise due to this stressful situation such as
Lack of Concentration Power
Feeling of Overwhelmed
Feeling of Lonliness
Lack of Interest in regular and favourite activities
Memory problem can also arise.
These all are the changes and effects of a stressful situation. Most of the symptoms are common in a stressful situation but the physical changes are depending on the potential of that stressful situation.
Would the above changes (physiological, cognitive, or emotional) be any different if the same stress were being experienced by a person of the opposite sex or someone much older or younger than you? Also, If the situation continues, how might your physical health be affected?
Explanation / Answer
Psychologists refer to stress as a feeling of strain and pressure. It is also considered as one type of psychological pain. Small amounts of stress may be desired, beneficial, and even healthy. It is observed that Stress is primarily a physical response. When stressed, the body thinks it is under attack and switches to ‘fight or flight’ mode. Consequently, a complex mix of hormones and chemicals such as adrenaline, cortisol and norepinephrine are released into the body. These hormones and chemicals help to prepare the body for physical action. Blood is diverted to muscles, as a result, shuts down other bodily functions such as brain function, digestion etc. In case of older people, it is observed that they keep stress hormones in their system longer.
If we are kept in a state of stress for long periods, it can be detrimental to our health. Stress symptoms can affect the body, thoughts and feelings, and behaviour. Being able to recognize common stress symptoms can give you a jump on managing them.
Common effects of stress on the body are ;
Chronic stress, or a constant stress experienced over a prolonged period of time, can contribute to long-term problems for heart and blood vessels. The consistent and ongoing increase in heart rate, and the elevated levels of stress hormones and of blood pressure, can take a toll on the body.
This puts you at increased risk of numerous health problems, including:
· Anxiety.
· Depression.
· Digestive problems.
· Headaches.
· Heart disease.
· Sleep problems.
· Weight gain.
· Memory and concentration impairment.