It was first named by the Canadian endocrinologist H. Cellier.
The harmful factor or stimulus is called a stressor, and the state of tension is called stress.
He divided the stress response to a stressor into three stages and called it generalized adaptation syndrome.
Stage 1 is the warning response, when the body actively resists the stressor, and the response occurs within 1 to 48 hours.
Initially, there is a shock with a decrease in body temperature and blood pressure, hypoglycemia, and blood concentration, followed by resistance.
The second stage is resistance, which occurs when the person continues to be exposed to the stressor after passing through the alert response stage.
This is when resistance to stressors is strongest, but resistance to other types of stressors is weakened.
The third stage is when the body loses its resistance to the stressor and develops a number of symptoms and eventually dies.
The stress response is the release of the stimulant hormone adrenaline and other hormones into the bloodstream to protect the body, giving it the strength and energy to cope with the danger and fight or avoid the situation. Changes in the body in response to stress include
An increase in pulse rate and blood pressure to send more blood to your muscles, brain, and heart.
Breathing speeds up to get more oxygen.
Muscles tense in preparation for action.
Your mind is clearer and your senses are more alert to assess the situation and act quickly.
Blood flow to vital organs (brain, heart, and muscles) increases in preparation for danger.
Reduced blood flow to the skin, digestive system, kidneys, and liver, where blood is least needed in times of danger.
The amount of sugar, fat, and cholesterol in the blood increases for extra energy.
Increased platelets or blood clotting factors to prevent bleeding in case of trauma.
The causes of stress are called stressors or triggers.
They can be divided into external and internal causes, with the latter being the most common.
External triggers include the physical environment, such as noise, intense light, heat, and limited space; social relationships, such as rudeness, orders, and confrontation; organizational society, such as rules, regulations, and formality; life events, such as the death of a relative, job loss, or promotion; and the complexity of daily tasks, such as commuting.
Internal causes include lifestyle choices such as caffeine, insufficient sleep, and over-scheduling; negative thoughts such as pessimism, self-blame, and over-analysis; mental traps such as unrealistic expectations, self-righteousness, and exaggerated, rigid thinking; and personal traits that predispose to stress such as perfectionism and workaholism.
Common symptoms vary but can be divided into four categories
Physical symptoms: fatigue, headache, insomnia, muscle pain, stomach aches or stiffness (especially in the neck, shoulders, and lower back), palpitations (rapid pulse), chest pain, abdominal pain, vomiting, shaking, cold extremities, hot flashes, sweating, and frequent colds.
tress is a combination of endocrine and autonomic nervous system responses.
The stressed brain triggers the secretion of stomach acid.
On the other hand, the autonomic nervous system narrows the blood vessels in the stomach mucosa, preventing all the blood from reaching them and reducing the mucosa’s defense.
The end result is that the acid destroys part of the stomach lining and you feel sick.
Memory loss, indecisiveness, a feeling of emptiness, confusion, and loss of humor.
Emotional symptoms: anxiety, nervousness, depression, anger, frustration, anxiety, worry, anxiety, impatience, and lack of patience.
Behavioral symptoms: restlessness, nervous habits such as nail biting and foot picking, increased eating, drinking, smoking, crying, cursing, blaming, and throwing or hitting.
Stress doesn’t always have to be bad for your health.
In moderation, it’s known to energize the body and mind.
However, when an individual’s ability to cope with internal and external stimuli is weakened, or when they are repeatedly exposed to these conditions for a long period of time, stress becomes chronic, causing emotional anxiety and conflict, and constant tension in the autonomic nervous system, leading to mental and physical dysfunction and disease.
In particular, the pathological symptoms of neuroses or psychosomatic disorders progress or worsen, leading to various disorders and chronic diseases.
Stress does not appear only in one period of life, but throughout human life.
Especially in middle age, it causes adult diseases such as heart disease, stomach ulcers, hypertension, and diabetes, and in old age, it causes neurosis, psychosis, and depression.
However, no one can avoid stress, so we should try to get used to it in moderation and adapt to it in order to fulfill our roles.
To prevent mental and physical illnesses caused by stress, you need to make the following efforts.
Maintain a regular and healthy lifestyle.
Relieve physical and mental stress with hobbies, entertainment, and sports that suit your needs.
Have an amicable personality and more active interpersonal relationships.
Develop a sense of ownership and a habit of being joyfully faithful.
If necessary, it is also helpful to visit a psychiatrist for counseling and guidance.