Chronic stress is a prolonged, often overwhelming feeling of stress that can negatively impact a person’s daily life. Chronic stress can cause changes in mood, difficulty sleeping, and physical illness.

Short-lived feelings of stress are a regular part of daily life. When these feelings become chronic, or long-lasting, they can severely impact a person’s health.

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Stress is a biological response to demanding situations. It causes the body to release hormones, such as cortisol and adrenaline.

These hormones help prepare the body to take action, for example, by increasing the heart and breath rates. When this occurs, a doctor might describe a person as being in a state of heightened alertness or arousal.

Many factors can trigger a stress response, including dangerous situations and psychological pressures, such as work deadlines, exams, and sporting events.

The physical effects of stress usually do not last long. However, some people find themselves in a nearly constant state of heightened alertness. This is chronic stress.

Some potential causes of chronic stress include:

  • high-pressure jobs
  • financial difficulties
  • challenging relationships

Chronic stress puts pressure on the body for an extended period. This can cause various symptoms and increase the risk of developing certain illnesses.

Chronic stress affects the whole body. It can have several physical or psychological symptoms, which can make daily functioning more challenging. The type and severity of symptoms vary considerably from person to person.

Signs and symptoms of chronic stress can include:

Various life experiences can cause stress, and these may begin in childhood. When children experience traumatic events, it can lead to the development of chronic stress that may last into adulthood.

These types of events are known as adverse childhood experiences (ACEs).

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, around 64% of adults in the United States experienced at least one ACE before the age of 18 years. Up to 1 in 6 adults experienced four or more ACEs.

Examples of ACEs include:

  • mental illness in one or more parents
  • emotional, physical, or sexual abuse
  • substance misuse in the family
  • parental divorce
  • incarceration of a parent or close family member

Chronic stress in adults

In adulthood, chronic stress can happen as a result of very similar causes as well as:

  • problems in the workplace
  • unemployment or financial problems
  • injury that affects daily life
  • concern about problems in the country or the world

According to the Stress in America 2023 survey by the American Psychological Association (APA), stressors may vary depending on age and other factors, but finances were a top stressor for many people.

Chronic stress can also affect historically marginalized groups differently than others. In 2019, surveys showed that Black people were three times more likely and Hispanic people two times more likely to be stressed by lack of food than white people.

In 2021, the APA also reported that 74% of Black adults, 60% of Hispanic adults, and 65% of white adults said the Capitol breach in 2020 caused them a lot of stress.

Chronic stress affects the brain and the immune system. The brain’s neural networks, especially in the prefrontal cortex, can actually weaken. Doctors have seen this in imaging of people’s brains.

When a person experiences stress, this stimulates their immune system to react. Over time, chronic stress can suppress immune function, which may lead to the development of diseases and health problems.

Over long periods, chronic stress can contribute to the development of a range of physical and mental disorders, including:

Generally, acute stress is stress that a person experiences in the short term. Acute stress typically manifests immediately after a person experiences a stressor as a fight-or-flight reaction.

An acute stress disorder is more severe, and typically occurs in the first month after a person experiences trauma. This is similar to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), but a person cannot have a PTSD diagnosis until they have symptoms for longer than a month.

Stress can also be episodic, which means a person experiences acute stress over a long time but inconsistently. They experience stressful periods and periods with less or no stress.

In comparison, chronic stress is stress that a person experiences continuously throughout their life to the point where feeling stressed becomes a routine state of being.

According to the APA, around 3 in 5 adults in the United States do not talk about their stress because they do not want to burden another person.

However, if someone experiences chronic stress, it is important to see a healthcare professional for advice and support. A doctor may recommend psychological therapy, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).

During CBT, a therapist helps someone modify their behaviors, thoughts, and feelings concerning stressors. CBT can also help a person develop tools and coping mechanisms to manage stress responses.

Sometimes, a doctor may recommend medications to help treat some symptoms of chronic stress. For example, they may prescribe antidepressants to treat anxiety or depression. For people with trouble sleeping, doctors may prescribe sedatives.

Chronic stress can seem overwhelming, and a person may feel unable to regain control over their life. However, the following strategies may help to reduce stress levels and improve well-being:

People do not have to deal with chronic stress alone. If self-help strategies are not working, a doctor can provide support and advice about treatment options. They can also refer someone to a specialized healthcare professional, such as a psychologist or psychiatrist.

Anyone feeling overwhelmed by stress should see a doctor as soon as possible, especially if they are having suicidal thoughts or using drugs or alcohol to cope.

Suicide prevention

If you know someone at immediate risk of self-harm, suicide, or hurting another person:

  • Ask the tough question: “Are you considering suicide?”
  • Listen to the person without judgment.
  • Call 911 or the local emergency number, or text TALK to 741741 to communicate with a trained crisis counselor.
  • Stay with the person until professional help arrives.
  • Try to remove any weapons, medications, or other potentially harmful objects if it’s safe to do so.

If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, a prevention hotline can help. The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is available 24 hours a day at 988. During a crisis, people who are hard of hearing can use their preferred relay service or dial 711 then 988.

Find more links and local resources.

Stress is a regular part of daily life. Short-lived stress is generally harmless, but when it lasts and becomes chronic, it can cause a range of symptoms. It can also contribute to the development of physical and mental disorders.

Self-help techniques include identifying triggers, developing coping and avoidance strategies, reaching out to friends and family, and practicing mindfulness.

If these techniques are not working, or if stress feels overwhelming, a person should speak with a healthcare professional.