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- Becoming socially withdrawn.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.
The Neurological model
The neurological aspect of stress are particularly enlightening. When pressure is encountered the body alters the flow of neurotransmitters. Specifically, some transmitters will be inhibited from moving. This is done to reduce unnecessary stimulation so that the person can focus on getting through the situation. If this is done occasionally, for short periods there is no problem. However, over extended periods this can cause issues, the persons may;
- Build up of neurotransmitters – At the end of neural pathways an excessive bio-electric charge may build up. This can cause numerous issues, but is most often cited as one of the causes for skin conditions worsening during periods of pressure.
- Feelings of wrongness or emptiness – Because some neurotransmitters are not travelling properly their can be the experience of wrongness, emptiness or hollowness.
- Unsettling neurological download – When a person relaxes, suppressed neurotransmitters will often begin to flow again. This is fine and rarely noticed by people who are only experiencing mild and short term stress. However, people who have long term suppressed neurotransmitters may find this experience more unsettling as it can be intense. Typical examples include the mind suddenly becoming very stimulated as someone lays down to fall asleep at night. A person may get twitches, tingles, pins and needle types experiences from the free flow neurons. This may also be one of the main reasons for post stress collapse.
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.
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.
Presentations of stress
As a hypnotherapist I have encountered various ways in which stress presents in my patients
- The patient feels stressed – This is when a person is aware of tension building in themselves but has yet to develop much by the way of specific symptoms. From a biochemical perspective this is the best time to interrupt stress patterns to prevent them becoming embedded.
- Specific symptom – A person may have a symptom, insomnia, gastrointestinal issue, where stress is a cause or maintenance factor in that condition.
- Collapse / breakdown – When someone has been living or working at their limit for so long that their system simply cannot maintain the pace any longer. They end up off work, often burnt out, usually with symptoms such as chronic anxiety or depression.
- Post stress collapse – This is a form of collapse, but it occurs once major stressors have mostly been resolved. The stress has been kept under control whilst the stressors are dealt. One they are dealt with the person relaxes, and it all floods in.
Hypnotherapy for stress
