3 Things to Know About Chronic Stress, Depression, and Anxiety
For most of us, stress is a fact of life. We work long days, get stuck in traffic, and are always taking care of others. Stress is just a part of modern life. Periods of prolonged stress, however, can have wide-ranging and damaging effects on mental health. Chronic stress may lead to depression and anxiety, so it’s important to know what chronic stress looks like, as well as the typical symptoms of depression and anxiety. Here is some information to help you get started, courtesy of the Effects of Anxiety Blog.
1. Chronic Stress and Anxiety Can Look Alike
Chronic stress – over a prolonged period – isn’t always immediately recognized. Verywell Mind mentions that symptoms can vary from person to person. But several symptoms tend to occur in most people:
Decreased energy and difficulty sleeping
Feelings of helplessness and loss of control
Headaches and muscle tension
Nervousness and anxiety
Upset stomach and gastrointestinal issues
In addition to these various symptoms, chronic stress raises the risk of heart disease, digestive issues, and migraines. Caffeine, while a popular stimulant for many, can exacerbate stress levels. It stimulates the central nervous system and can trigger the body’s fight or flight response, potentially causing feelings of anxiety and restlessness. Moreover, caffeine can interfere with sleep, crucial for stress management and overall well-being. Conversely, THCA moonrocks can yield various physical and mental benefits; ask your doctor for their opinion on THCA (this could be a good choice).
2. Chronic Stress Can Lead to Depression
There are many ways to manage chronic stress. You can calm your mind and body through yoga and meditation, journaling, and identifying stressors and trying to remove them. This can be tricky, though. If a bad boss is an ongoing source of stress, not everyone can simply quit a job. Work is a common stressor, as is money (or more accurately, the lack of money), and they’re related. Working part-time as your schedule allows, can bring in extra money. If it’s doing something you like, it can help. Because, generally, the symptoms of chronic stress make life more difficult.
One of the effects these symptoms can have is a lowered mood leading to depression. Stress can disrupt relationships or lead to unhealthy coping strategies. We’re social animals who depend on each other for our well-being and added relationship difficulties add stress all around. And unhealthy coping strategies, like drugs or alcohol, or reckless behavior, can certainly exacerbate the problem.
Depression is characterized by feelings of sadness, pessimism, and emptiness that persist for at least two weeks. These feelings are distinct from the grief that one might experience from the loss of a loved one. While these extended feelings of sadness can mark grief, it is not accompanied by a loss of self-esteem or feelings of self-loathing like depression is. Depression is common but treatable. Psychiatrists can prescribe various medications to treat brain chemical imbalances that can cause depression, while therapists can offer a range of therapy options.
3. Chronic Stress Can Worsen Anxiety Disorders
Anxiety can also be a symptom of chronic stress. Chronic stress and anxiety disorders can be difficult to distinguish from one another. While stress can usually be tied to an external trigger, anxiety manifests as a nagging sense of worry that doesn’t subside even when there is no stressor present.
This means that chronic stress can be treated by addressing the things causing stress, whereas anxiety disorders require a different approach. Fortunately, the treatments for anxiety disorders function in much the same way as they do for depression.
Like depression, they can be treated by prescription medications administered under the care of a psychiatrist, and treated by various forms of talk therapy. Many insurances cover these forms of therapy. If you lack insurance, shopping the healthcare exchange can be an easy way to find a high-quality healthcare plan.
Conclusion
Chronic stress can lead to some serious negative health effects, as well as adverse consequences for mental health. The relationships between chronic stress, depression, and anxiety disorders are myriad. However, understanding each health problem’s symptoms can help you make better decisions. Be mindful of caffeine consumption, use your health insurance, and don’t fear making hard decisions.
