Epidemiology Of Stress Essay

Stress is the human body’s way of reacting to any form of a threat. When your body feels threatened, the nervous system responds to this by releasing stress hormones which prepare the body for any sort of emergency situation. Your heart rate increases, muscles begin to tighten, blood pressure heightens, breath quickens, and senses sharpen. These physical changes increase your strength and stamina, speed your reaction time, and enhance your focus.
When at an ideal level, stress helps you to stay focused, energetic, and alert.
Stress can also help you rise to meet challenges. Stress is what keeps you on your toes during presentations or what drives you to study for examinations or tests when you would much rather be watching television.
Although beyond healthy, stress stops being helpful and can start causing damage to your mind and body.
Psychoneuroimmunology research suggests that chronic stress can lead to unwanted mood disorders like anxiety and depression, bipolar disorder, change in personality, as well as some behavioural issues.
Perceptive Symptoms
• Memory problems
• Concentration problems
• Poor judgment
• Being pessimistic
• Anxious thoughts
• Constant worrying
Mental Symptoms
• Moodiness
• Irritability or short temper
• Agitation, inability to relax
• Feeling of being overwhelmed
• Feeling lonely and isolated
• Depression
•
Physical Symptoms
• Body aches and pains
• Diarrhea or constipation
• Nausea, dizziness
• Chest pain, rapid heartbeat
• Frequent colds
This table lists the common signs and symptoms of stress.

Behavioural Symptoms
• Loss of appetite
• Change in sleeping patterns
• Isolation
• Procrastinating or neglecting responsibilities
• Using alcohol, cigarettes, or drugs to relax
• Nervous