Chronic stress is a condition in which stress arrives routinely
and can often stay for days, weeks, and even months at a
time, leaving people almost unable to think about anything
other than everything that there is to worry about . Unfortunately,
the mere sense of worry is not the worst the worst of it.
It also leaves people fatigued and unable to concentrate
and it can lead to problems with memory and even leave people
unable to sleep right. Then, in its worst forms, it can
even lead to a complete nervous breakdown, leaving the sufferer
incapable of doing anything.
On top of the mental symptoms, chronic stress also leads
to a weakened immune system, leaving a person vulnerable
to disease. Then, if left unchecked, chronic stress will
cause high blood pressure, coronary disease and even strokes.
This is because stress tends to elevate the blood pressure,
which is very dangerous if it continues too long. And as
the heart continues to pump too quickly, it will swell up
and eventually break down. Also, stress tells the body to
create more platelets, which are designed to stop bleeding
in cuts. Unfortunately, these can also lead to blood clots,
such as those that cause hearts attacks and strokes. Thus,
chronic stress can have serious repercussions on a person's
physical health.
One source of chronic stress can actually be post-traumatic
stress disorder. This is a syndrome in which the person
has had some sort of sudden, severe stress that has shocked
the mind so fiercely that it is incapable of moving beyond
that moment. In fact, there is research showing that a severe
shock to the system can actually change the chemistry of
the brain so that it is becomes suddenly accustomed to stress
and it actually desires to stay in a state of stress. Thus,
instead of moving beyond a severe shock, the brain is stuck
in it and it is almost addicted to the sense of stress.
Thus, rather than finding a way to come to grips with the
problem, the brain is actually trying to return to it so
that it can feel that shock again. This may seem to be counterintuitive,
since the stress is usually a very unpleasant one, but the
sudden rush of chemicals to the brain is not unlike using
a drug. And, after that experience, the brain wants more
of those chemicals in order to get its "fix".
However, a sudden shock is not the only source of chronic
stress. In fact, chronic stress can also result from a long
period of stress. This may come from an intense period of
work, or a rough period of time with the family, or even
a project that was both enjoyable and a high priority. Just
like post-traumatic stress disorder, the brain has become
accustomed to having all those exciting chemicals flowing
through it, so wants to return to the days when it was working
at such an intense rate. Thus, once the brain is tuned for
stress, it immediately goes back to it like a junkie returning
to a dealer.
The problem, of course, is how to get the brain to get
less accustomed to stress. Unfortunately, this is not easy,
since the brain's chemistry is now attuned to the feeling
and its receptors now have a heightened sensitivity to stress.
This is not easy, but it can be done.
People with chronic stress should seek relief through exercise,
eating right, and getting plenty of sleep every night. All
of these activities will help balance the mind and allow
it to work more clearly while easing fatigue and the inability
to concentrate. As well, a long vacation can provide some
relief, as the simple act of getting away from it all will
give the mind a chance to relax. Or, for the most severe
cases, a person suffering from chronic stress may want to
see a counselor or therapist who can help them through their
memories and find some solutions. However, there is a certain
stigma attached to this form of therapy, so people often
shy away from seeking it. But people suffering from chronic
stress should be afraid to ask for help and these people
are more than happy to provide it.
Though chronic stress is difficult to deal with, it is
not an impossible syndrome. Sufferers simply need to come
to grips with their stress and find solutions that will
work for them. Though it is a tough road to travel down,
the rewards are immense for both mental and physical health.
Thus, once chronic stress has been found, it should be dealt
with immediately.
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