What makes stressors worse

I still don't know what to do next. All rights reserved. This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care. Always follow your healthcare professional's instructions.

Patient Education. Causes and Effects of Stress Anything that brings on feelings of stress is called a stressor. For instance, your: Blood pressure may rise Heart may pound Muscles may tighten Stomach may become tense Concentration may get worse Forgetfulness may get worse. Stressors Stressors may include: Adapting to constant, rapid change Worrying about your finances and the economy Handling a major life event, such as changing jobs or moving to a new home Handling more than one major life event at the same time, for instance, dealing with a family illness while changing jobs Juggling many roles and responsibilities, such as spouse or life partner, parent, friend, employee, and caregiver for aging parents Going from one challenging situation to the next without taking time to relax Being overwhelmed by technology such as, keeping up with cell phone messages, e-mails, and text messages.

Over time, you may show some of these symptoms of being stressed: Physical. Frequent colds or flu, headaches, trouble sleeping, muscle tension, skin problems, trouble with digestion Mental. Poor concentration, forgetfulness, learning problems, frequent negative thoughts, speech problems Emotional.

Anxiety, depression, anger, irritability, feelings of helplessness, lack of purpose, relationship troubles Behavioral. Eating poorly, driving recklessly, abusing alcohol or drugs, being accident prone, showing aggression If you don't believe you are successfully managing the stressors in your life, get help from your healthcare provider or a mental health professional.

Chronic stress. This is stress that lasts for a longer period of time. You may have chronic stress if you have money problems, an unhappy marriage, or trouble at work. Any type of stress that goes on for weeks or months is chronic stress. You can become so used to chronic stress that you don't realize it is a problem.

If you don't find ways to manage stress , it may lead to health problems. Over time, this puts you at risk for health problems, including: High blood pressure Heart disease Diabetes Obesity Depression or anxiety Skin problems, such as acne or eczema Menstrual problems If you already have a health condition, chronic stress can make it worse.

Here are some signs that stress may be affecting you: Diarrhea or constipation Forgetfulness Frequent aches and pains Headaches Lack of energy or focus Sexual problems Stiff jaw or neck Tiredness Trouble sleeping or sleeping too much Upset stomach Use of alcohol or drugs to relax Weight loss or gain.

Some common sources of stress include: Getting married or divorced Starting a new job The death of a spouse or close family member Getting laid off Retiring Having a baby Money problems Moving Having a serious illness Problems at work Problems at home.

When to Contact a Medical Professional. Call a suicide hotline if you have thoughts of suicide. Reasons you may want to seek help are: You have feelings of panic, such as dizziness, rapid breathing, or a racing heartbeat. You are unable to work or function at home or at your job. You have fears that you cannot control. You are having memories of a traumatic event.

Alternative Names. Generalized anxiety disorder Stress and anxiety. Anxiety Read more. Stress Read more. Stress and anxiety can be unpleasant to deal with. They can also have negative effects on your physical health if untreated for long periods of time.

If you feel like your stress and anxiety are becoming unmanageable, seek professional help or ask others to help you find the support you need. Read this article in Spanish. The best anxiety blogs of the year ». If you're experiencing anxiety, traditional talk therapy and medication may help. But there are also some natural remedies you can explore. Work got you down? These 14 strategies can help you stay on top of work stress and avoid a burnout.

For many, anxiety and depression are real, and it's time we stop them writing them off as something that will go away. Do you ever experience racing thoughts or anxiety in the morning before you even have a chance to hit snooze on your alarm? Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. Stress and Anxiety. Medically reviewed by Timothy J.

Legg, Ph. What do stress and anxiety feel like? What causes stress and anxiety? When to seek help. Techniques to manage stress and anxiety.

What is the long-term outlook for stress and anxiety? Depression and Stress Management. Read this next.