Su cuerpo reacciona ante el estrés al liberar hormonas. Estas hormonas hacen que su cerebro esté más alerta, causar que sus músculos se tensionen y aumentar su pulso. A corto plazo, estas reacciones son buenas porque pueden ayudarle a manejar la situación que causa el estrés.

Esta es la manera en que su cuerpo se protege a sí mismo. Cuando tiene estrés crónico, su cuerpo se mantiene alerta incluso cuando no hay peligro.

Con el tiempo, esto le pone en riesgo de problemas de salud, incluyendo:. El estrés puede causar muchos tipos de síntomas físicos y emocionales. Algunas veces posiblemente no se dará cuenta de que estos síntomas son ocasionados por el estrés. Aquí hay algunos signos de que el estrés le puede estar afectando:.

Las causas del estrés son diferentes para cada persona. Usted puede tener estrés a causa de buenos desafíos y también a causa de los malos. Algunas fuentes comunes de estrés incluyen:. Llame a su proveedor de atención médica si se siente abrumado por el estrés o si está afectando su salud.

Llame también a su proveedor si observa síntomas nuevos o inusuales. Su proveedor podría referirlo a un proveedor de atención de salud mental. Puede hablar con este profesional acerca de sus sentimientos, lo que parece hacer que su estrés empeore o mejore, y porqué cree que tiene este problema.

Usted también puede trabajar en la construcción de formas para reducir el estrés en su vida. Si usted o alguien que conoce está pensando en el suicidio, llame o envíe un mensaje de texto al o chatee en lifeline. También puede llamar al TALK. La Línea de vida para crisis y suicidio proporciona apoyo gratuito y confidencial las 24 horas del día, los 7 días de la semana, en cualquier momento del día o de la noche.

También puede llamar al o al número local de emergencias o vaya a la sala de emergencias del hospital. NO se demore. Si conoce a alguien que haya intentado suicidarse, llame al o al número local de emergencias de inmediato. NO deje sola a la persona, incluso después de haber llamado para pedir ayuda.

Ahmed SM, Hershberger PJ, Lemkau JP. Psychosocial influences on health. In: Rakel RE, Rakel DP, eds. Textbook of Family Medicine.

Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; chap 3. National Institute of Mental Health website. I'm so stressed out! fact sheet. Accessed August 17, Freedland KE, Carney RM, Lenze EJ, Rich MW. Psychiatric and psychosocial aspects of cardiovascular disease.

In: Libby P, Bonow RO, Mann DL, Tomaselli GF, Bhatt DL, Solomon SD, eds. Braunwald's Heart Disease: A Textbook of Cardiovascular Medicine. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; chap Versión en inglés revisada por: Fred K. Berger, MD, addiction and forensic psychiatrist, Scripps Memorial Hospital, La Jolla, CA.

Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A. Ongoing poverty, a dysfunctional family, or an unhappy marriage are examples of situations that can cause chronic stress. It occurs when a person can see no way to avoid their stressors and stops seeking solutions.

A traumatic experience early in life may also contribute to chronic stress. Chronic stress makes it difficult for the body to return to a normal level of stress hormone activity, which can contribute to problems in the following systems :.

Depression, anxiety, and other mental health disorders, such as post-traumatic stress disorder PTSD , can develop when stress becomes chronic. Chronic stress can continue unnoticed, as people can become used to feeling agitated and hopeless.

People with chronic stress are at risk of having a final breakdown that can lead to suicide, violent actions, a heart attack , or stroke. People react differently to stressful situations. What is stressful for one person may not be stressful for another, and almost any event can potentially cause stress.

For some people, just thinking about a trigger or several smaller triggers can cause stress. There is no identifiable reason why one person may feel less stressed than another when facing the same stressor. Mental health conditions, such as depression , or a building sense of frustration, injustice, and anxiety can make some people feel stressed more easily than others.

Some people experience ongoing stress after a traumatic event, such as an accident or some kind of abuse. Doctors will diagnose this as PTSD. 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. A doctor or psychiatric specialist can often help, for example, through stress management training. People can develop their stress management techniques by using self-help books or online resources.

Alternatively, they can attend a stress management course. A counselor or psychotherapist can connect an individual who has stress with personal development courses or individual and group therapy sessions.

Read the article in Spanish. Stress is a biological response to demanding situations and a regular part of daily life. Stress can adversely affect physical and mental health.

One common result of stress is an inability to sleep. Insufficient sleep can increase the risk…. Stress can affect every aspect of our mental and physical health. A new study now shows just how exposure to stress can impact memory and brain volume. Stress can affect the body and make a person feel ill.

Learn more about how stress can affect the body, plus how to reduce stress levels, here. A look at emotional eating when people use food to cope with emotions, such as stress. Included is detail on the causes and common triggers to avoid. My podcast changed me Can 'biological race' explain disparities in health?

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Medical News Today. Health Conditions Health Products Discover Tools Connect. Why stress happens and how to manage it.

Medically reviewed by Stacy Sampson, D. What is stress? Share on Pinterest A person with stress may experience increased blood pressure.