Identifying Causes and Signs of Stress
A blend of two distinct components drives stress. The first element is the stressor or the circumstances that trigger people's physical and emotional reactions. For instance, a stressor may be a financial problem, family issues, or a crisis that arises in the workplace.
The second component of stress is the stress response. The stress response is a person's body and mind's natural response to a stressor. For example, an increased breathing rate, an elevated heart rate, changes in alertness, and increased muscle tension or spasms can all result from a stress response. This natural response is a hereditary reaction inherited from ancient ancestors. For them, survival often required reacting quickly to the threats they encountered, or what we now call fight or flight response.
Back then, when the stress source was a wild animal or other life-threatening situation, fight or flight was a remarkably appropriate reaction to protect life and safety. Unfortunately, people's problems today are rarely as immediate, as dangerous, or quickly resolved. Instead, people today often experience more prolonged or repeated stress that is often difficult or impossible to have any control over.
For the majority of today's society, repeatedly facing stressful situations can leave a feeling of constant exhaustion or nervousness. These situations and stress responses regularly manifest as authentic emotional and physical conditions that require outside intervention. We are a dependable source for counseling in Richmond, VA, and nearby areas when professional assistance is necessary.
It should not be difficult to recognize when stress is negatively affecting a person's way of life. The warning signs often include changes in behavior and physical, mental, or emotional well-being.
Stress-induced changes in behavior might include sudden impatience or angry outbursts over seemingly minor things. An inability to relax effectively, consistent anxiety symptoms, poor sleeping habits, and periods of sexual dysfunction are easily identifiable issues. Extreme changes in eating habits, whether losing appetite or constantly overeating, are also common reactions to increased stress levels. Excessive stress can often make it difficult for a person to set priorities or cause trouble with making even the most straightforward decisions. Making frequent mistakes or becoming accident-prone are essential indicators of changing stress levels, as well.
A person with frequent headaches or increased neck and back pain is often also associated with heightened stress. In addition, some people begin suffering from frequent diarrhea, new or increased bouts of heartburn, or episodes of constipation. Heart palpitations, skin problems like acne or psoriasis, and shortness of breath can also occur in some cases.
Excessive stress that continues for an extended period is not a problem that you should ever ignore. When left untreated, extreme stress is linked to a variety of severe health and emotional issues. When consistently facing high levels of stress that affect physical, mental, or emotional health or negatively influence the overall quality of life, please seek help. A trusted family physician or a professional counselor can offer the assistance needed to help reduce or cope with unhealthy stress in everyday life. Visit us now to access counseling in Richmond, VA, and surrounding localities and get back to managing stress levels and an increased sense of overall well-being.