The Effects of Stress on your Body

What is Stress?..

Stress is not a disease; it’s a natural response of your body to danger, such as when our body perceives that it is being attacked. However, when the stressful condition continues for an indefinite time period, it becomes an illness.

Untreated stress often causes the blood pressure to rise and may also give way to more serious diseases like heart disease and diabetes. Obesity is often a result of stress seen in people who start eating more when they are depressed or under stress. This is also called binge eating and it is one of the most common causes of obesity, diabetes and high blood pressure.

Chronic stress leads to depression and anxiety, which are much serious diseases. It is advisable not to delay treatment of stress and talk to a mental health professional.

Effect of stress on the body

The main effect of stress on your body is on blood pressure, as many hormones are released in blood when you’re feeling stressed out. The heart starts to beat faster because of these hormones , resulting in palpitations. Long-term high blood pressure could be controlled by taking medication but if it is being caused by stress or anxiety, the underlying cause must also be addressed. Some people experience behavioral changes when they are under stress. It is important to guide these people to seek medical help because prolonged depression causes many other mental disorders.

Effect of stress on the body

Effect of Stress on the Brain

Effect of stress on the brain is primarily experienced because the condition is related to our mental health and well being. It has been seen that depression slowly, eventually gives way to more serious mental disorders like memory loss, dementia, sleeplessness, and Alzheimer’s disease. When your body is in a stressful situation, it starts producing a hormone called cortisol, which is responsible for systemic changes in the body.  There are medicines to reverse this process . But since many people simply ignore the fact that they are depressed, they don’t take any medication and hence start experiencing long-term effect of stress and anxiety on the body.
Effect of Stress on the Brain
Image source: pixabay.com

So do not underestimate stress and depression and leave it untreated. Seek timely help from a mental health professional in a similar manner as you seek a doctor’s opinion for any physical ailment. This will not only place your mind at ease, it will preserve your body from the negative effects as well.

Ms. Maryam Bibi

Psychologist
MSc (Psychology), PDCP (Clinical Psychology), Certified Hypnotherapist (NGH, USA)
Special Interest in Clinical and Counseling Psychology