Your provider may refer you to a mental health care provider. You can talk to this professional about your feelings, what seems to make your stress better or worse, and why you think you are having this problem. You may also work on developing ways to reduce stress in your life. Psychosocial influences on health. Textbook of Family Medicine. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; chap 3. National Institute of Mental Health website. Accessed June 25, Vaccarino V, Bremner JD. Psychiatric and behavioral aspects of cardiovascular disease.
Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; chap Updated by: Fred K. Editorial team. Stress and your health. It can lead to flare-ups of symptoms of arthritis, fibromyalgia and other conditions because stress lowers your threshold for pain. According to the American Psychological Association APA , when you experience stress , your muscles tense up altogether.
When stress goes away, your muscles release the tension. These situations can make your heart rate increase. Too much of the stress hormone cortisol may make heart and lung conditions worse. These include heart disease , heart rhythm abnormalities, high blood pressure, stroke and asthma.
Alongside lung conditions, stress can also cause shortness of breath and rapid breathing. If you have pain or tightness in your chest or heart palpitations, see a doctor as soon as possible to rule out a serious condition. If you have a skin condition such as eczema, rosacea or psoriasis, stress can make it worse.
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Please try again. Something went wrong on our side, please try again. Show references How stress affects your health. American Psychological Association. Accessed March 5, Stress and your health. Those who work in stressful jobs, such as the military or the emergency services, will have a debriefing session following a major incident, and occupational healthcare services will monitor them for PTSD. A study found that the stressors that parents experience, such as financial troubles or managing a single-parent household, may also lead to obesity in their children.
Stress-associated behaviors include :. A doctor will typically diagnose stress by asking an individual about their symptoms and life events. Diagnosing stress can be challenging because it depends on many factors. Doctors have used questionnaires, biochemical measures, and physiological techniques to identify stress.
However, these may not be objective or effective. The most direct way to diagnose stress and its effects on a person is through a comprehensive, stress-oriented, face-to-face interview. Treatment includes self-help and, when an underlying condition is causing stress, certain medications. Some insurance providers cover this type of treatment. However, it is important for people to check coverage with their provider before pursuing this treatment.
Knowing the details about a potential treatment can help prevent it from adding to any ongoing stress. Doctors will not usually prescribe medications for coping with stress, unless they are treating an underlying illness, such as depression or an anxiety disorder.
In such cases, they may prescribe an antidepressant. However, there is a risk that the medication will only mask the stress, rather than help the person deal with it. Antidepressants can also have adverse effects, and they may worsen some complications of stress, such as low libido.
Developing coping strategies before stress becomes chronic or severe can help an individual manage new situations and maintain their physical and mental health. People may find that the following lifestyle measures can help them manage or prevent stress-induced feelings of being overwhelmed.
Noticing signs and symptoms is the first step to taking action. Most people have an activity that helps them relax, such as reading a book, going for a walk, listening to music, or spending time with a friend, loved one, or pet. Joining a choir or a gym also helps some people relax. The APA encourage people to develop networks of social support, for example, by talking to neighbors and others in the local community or joining a club, charity, or religious organization.
Those who often feel as though they do not have the time or energy for hobbies should try some enjoyable new activities that make them feel good. People can turn to their support network if they need ideas. Being part of a group can reduce the risk of stress developing and provide support and practical help when challenging circumstances develop. People who find that stress is affecting their daily life should seek professional help.
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