What is stress?
The term “stress” refers to the wear and tear on your body caused by your response to events in your environment. The physical symptoms of stress are tied to how you interpret an event or situation. You may think that a minor problem is very serious, the end of the world is near, or that you will not be able to handle it. This can lead to anxiety about being overwhelmed, says a psychiatrist in Bhopal. The more you worry about something, the more important it becomes in your life. Take for example someone who believes they are very ill with cancer when they actually have a common cold; this person has become stressed over what they believe is a major health concern even though their symptoms are trivial compared to cancer symptoms.
A second example might be when you are faced with a major life event such as the death of a loved one. Even in this case, there is a range in how people respond to stress. Some people may sink into depression and think about ending their own lives whereas others cope better with grief and go on to live satisfying lives.
What causes stress?
Stress can occur when your needs or desires come up against what you believe you’re capable of doing or what is actually possible for you to do given the laws of nature (e.g., gravity). For example, trying to bench press 200 pounds when you only weigh 100 pounds would cause stress because your body will not allow it even if that’s something you want. Using caffeine excessively is also a cause of stress.
What are common symptoms of stress?
When you are stressed, your body releases certain chemicals that give you energy to deal with the situation at hand. As long as the demands on you are not excessive, the energy released by these stress hormones will keep circulating in your system and will be used when needed, says a psychiatrist in Bhopal. However, if your body is under constant bombardment from stressors, then the chemical balance becomes disrupted and an overabundance of stress hormones can result in unwanted side effects such as:
-feeling anxious;
-inability to relax;
-nausea;
-increased heart rate;
-tightness in your chest;
-pain in your stomach;
-increased breathing;
-irritability;
If the symptoms of stress continue, you may find yourself leaving little time for rest or socializing with friends and family which can ultimately put you in a vicious cycle since this will increase your stress levels even more.
Final Words:
Sometimes stress is good for us because it gives us the jolt we need to avoid danger or seize an opportunity. However, if it becomes too intense, your body can’t tell the difference between a real threat and one that is only perceived. This makes it difficult for you to relax which can cause anxiety or depression. If you experience several of these symptoms on an ongoing basis, then you are likely dealing with persistent stress. And, in such cases, you must see a psychiatrist in Bhopal.
