At some points in life, all individuals are likely to suffer periods of stress or anxiety, but at what stage does it become a danger to your health?
Research from the University of Bologna in Italy has suggested that while a small amount of stress can be beneficial in providing motivation, an accumulation of allostatic load (a reflector of the collective effect of stress) can have a serious impact on a person's physical and mental health. Psychotherapists think that an allostatic load is prompted by constant exposure to stress in any given period.
Primary symptoms of stress appear small, though increased exposure to stress has been proven to increase the risk of more serious health problems. It has been established that chronic stress and an over active nervous system do indeed effect the health of the sufferer. Symptoms such as headaches and a weakened immune system can develop into more serious conditions.
Hair loss, diabetes, obesity, heart problems and even cancer are thought to be influenced by the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines, which are small chemical messengers made by the body. Too many of these cytokines are bad news for the body as their main role is to cause changes and inflammation in cells and blood vessels.
As well as these physical ailments, stress-prone individuals can experience serious psychological illnesses such as depression, anxiety disorders, and even mental breakdown. A common reaction to stress is a Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD), a chronic disorder characterised by excessive, long-lasting anxiety and worry about everyday life situations. The sufferer's fear is unrealistic and out of proportion. In rare cases stress will have such an effect on a person that they can experience a nervous breakdown, in which normal functions of everyday life become impossible due to difficulties adapting.
It has been estimated that as many as 90% of visits to the doctor involve symptoms that are at least partially stress-related, proving that in large doses, stress can be a significant danger to your health.
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