Although some of the effects of stress are still unknown and debated, but 80-90% of all doctors visits these days are in part due to stress-related ailments. Stress has been linked to anxiety, panic attacks, cancer, high blood pressure, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, digestive track diseases, etc. One thing for certain is that stress wrecks havoc our immune system.
Stress affects us both physically and psychologically. The psychological effects of stress is more subtle, but prolonged stress will increase in intensity and if not treated can lead to all sorts of problems such as depression, anxiety and panic attacks. An individual who is under stress will be more quick-tempered and easy to anger. He or she will lose interest in every other aspect of life. People who are under stress tend to find it harder to concentrate and have greater difficulty making decisions.
Stress
Both psychological and physical effects of stress are not unrelated. The effect starts on your brain which then leads to impacts on your body. Two brain components: the hypothalamus and the pituitary glands lead the charge during stressful events. They release a substance called ACTH (adrenocorticotropic hormone) that stimulates the adrenal gland, near the kidney, to release cortisol.
Cortisol is known as the stress hormone, it is always secreted in higher levels during the body's 'fight or flight' response to stress. Natural levels of cortisol rise and fall during the day, when it rises our body should be given the time so that it can return it to a normal level. Serious problem can occur if our body's stress response is activated too often that the body doesn't have a chance to return to normal, hence resulting in a state of chronic stress.
High stress can cause a shortened attention span, less efficient memory recall, lowered objectivity and other mental problems. As dire thoughts take control and race around the mind, ability to solve life's daily challenges in a rational way diminishes. This often leads to moodiness, anger, feelings of injustice and other emotional consequences.
Chronic stress often has detrimental effects; it often results in depression, anxiety, increased fear of failure and an overall sense of doom. But those are extremes and they are by no means inevitable.
By focusing on the root cause that led to stress, evaluating the stress factors realistically and keeping a sense of perspective about their consequences, stress can be reduced and even eliminated before it becomes a chronic problem. For instance, if you have an unreasonable boss and are often stressed out that it starts to take a toll on your life and family, it is time for you to put thing in a sense of perspective. Remember that job is disposable but your health and family are not.
Psychological and Physical Effects of Stress
More successful ways on how to deal with stress, anxiety and panic attacks can be found at Panic Attacks Guide. You can also download a FREE report how to stop anxiety & panic attacks at our site. This report is packed with tons of tips and practical techniques to deal with stress and panic attacks.