When most people speak of stress, they are referring to what is called chronic stress. Chronic stress is stress which has built up over time to a point where the person is no longer able to function at their normal level. The symptoms of chronic stress are wide and varied, and include:
- Impairment to cognitive function (often experienced as ‘cloudy mind’).
- Dysregulated mood (irritable, sudden overwhelmed, low mood).
- Changes to libido.
- Becoming socially withdrawn.
- Poor sleep.
- Aches, pains and headaches.
- Digestive upset and changes to appetite.
- Flair ups of skins condition.
- Frequent illness (due to dysregulation of immune function).
- Dizziness, light-headedness.
- Many more
Ultimately, stress can lead into problems such as panic attacks, irritable bowel syndrome, burnout, and depression which can then be further generators of stress.
The Cause of chronic stress
Stress is usually the result of being in heightened state for a prolonged period. The classic for this is doing things which trigger the ‘fight-flight’ response too frequently for the body to recover from its effects. This can be exciting things as well as upsetting ones. Equally chronic stress can occur by doing something for too long, such as working long hours. This pressure on the body and nervous system means that little imbalances build up.
How stress builds
The initial triggering of the flight-flight system results in;
- Raised heart rate and blood pressure as the body to moves blood and oxygen around more quickly
- Respiratory pathways widen to let in more air
- Non immediately essential functions are shut down – This means digestions functions, reproductive functions and repair functions are decreased.
- The immune system is refocused towards fighting infection through skin injury.
From these changes many of the problems we have noted above can occur; digestive issues, frequent illness. However, the body does make an adaptation. When a stressor persists the body starts secreting significant amounts of cortisol.
Cortisol – The stress hormone
Cortisol is often identified as the stress hormone as it is associated with the body being in a heighted state for longer. Cortisol works to keep the body ready for a fight flight reaction by;
- Keeping the blood sugar level high by getting the liver to release sugars and suppressing their uptake in certain areas of the body.
- Heightening alertness.
- Suppressing digestion and immune function.
Prolonged periods in a high cortisol state can lead to significant disruption of all the systems of the body, resulting in cascade failure.
Stress – cascade failure
Cascade failure is when the various changed induce by fight flight and cortisol start to cause secondary problems. Two good examples of this are;
- Digestion – The stress response decreases digestion. Often with a start-stop action which results in constipation, diarrhoea or both. These symptoms then disrupt life and cause additional anxiety resulting in further stress, and ultimately more symptoms.
- Neurological – Stress hormones create selected flow of neurotransmitters. Decreasing some and increasing others to heighten mental alertness. However, this alertness can inhibit sleep, reducing a person’s ability to think clearly. Being unable to think as clearly their existing life strategies begin to fall apart but they are too tired to effectively re-strategies. Further stress will ensue.
These are just two examples of what could be dozens of ways in which systems start to create ‘failure’ within a person. Even the sheer variety of symptoms can be perplexing, confusing and ultimately worrying.
Ultimately, stress cascade failure will lead to bigger problems unless something changes.
Hypnotherapy for stress
