Final answer:
Chronic stress can lead to significant health risks, including psychological disorders like PTSD and physical issues such as heart disease and weakened immunity. It results from the sustained activation of physiological systems and can cause exhaustion and reduced immunological responses, making an individual more prone to various diseases.
Step-by-step explanation:
Effects of Chronic Stress
When stressors persist for months or years, they are categorized as chronic stress. This type of stress can lead to serious health issues both psychologically and physically. People might experience a higher risk of developing psychological disorders such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), major depressive disorder, and other serious psychiatric conditions. Furthermore, chronic stress is linked to an increase in various physical illnesses, like heart disease, musculoskeletal disorders, nervous system disorders, and immune system dysfunctions.
Chronic stress can lead to a stage of exhaustion where the body's capacity to adapt is depleted, bringing about illnesses or even permanent damage. It disturbs physiological systems designed for acute emergencies, revealing a connection between stress and illness. For example, stressed individuals might have elevated blood pressure, increasing the risk of heart attacks, or compromised immunity, making them more susceptible to infections.
Continued stress can also affect immunological responses, increasing susceptibility to illness. The new field of psychoneuroimmunology is researching how prolonged stress affects the interplay between the nervous, endocrine, and immune systems.