While occasional stress is a normal reaction of the body to certain triggers, chronic stress is pathological. Symptoms, causes and treatments with Dr. Fanny Jacq, psychiatrist.
Stress was first defined by Quebec physician Hans Selye in 1936 as “the organization’s response to any request made to it“. It is characterized by a physiological reaction: the release of cortisol. “The stress hormones go improve vascular tone, blood pressure and respiratory rate. They will also mobilize the energy to direct it towards the muscles and the brain in order to respond to the situation (flight or fight)” indicates a study published in the journal Medicine/sciences. These biological modifications must be limited in time so as not to affect the organism and remain in what is called the “acute” stress. Because when it becomes chronic, stress prevents recovery and return to equilibrium, and effects endure in the organism. Explanations and practical advice with Dr Fanny Jacq, psychiatrist.
What is chronic stress?
Stress is a normal protective mechanism of the body vis-à-vis an unusual situation perceived as threatening. It could be a job interview or coming face to face with a burglar at home. In this case, the body reacts physically and psychologically to the stressful event. “Occasional, one-off periods of acute stress are beneficial to the body” says Dr. Fanny Jacq, psychiatrist. “They stimulate the stress response system and thus help it to remain efficient“. We must not confuse acute, punctual stress, which disappears when the stressor has passed, and chronic stress that sets in over time. “He is the result of prolonged and/or repeated exposure to stressful situations. The symptoms of chronic stress will be less severe than those of acute stress but will be present several hours a day every day“underlines the psychiatrist.
What are the causes of chronic stress?
The causes of chronic stress are multifactorial. “Personality, an innate factor, plays an undeniable role in the way everyone reacts to and manages stressful situations. Some people are stressed at the slightest situation while others never seem to suffer. There would therefore probably be a biological cause involving stress hormones what are adrenaline and cortisol“says Dr Fanny Jacq. Education and parenting modeling are also taken into account in the learning of the stress response. “If you were raised by a nervous, stressed parent who always seems to be on the run, you are more likely to be a stressed personality as well.” notes the expert. In addition, the accumulation of episodes of acute stress over the course of an individual’s life can lead to intolerance to stress and anxiety. After a painful separation, job loss, bereavement etc… our coping skills in the face of stress can be diminished. This results in a feeling of overwhelm which leads to chronic stress.
What are the symptoms of chronic stress?
The signs of chronic stress are physical and psychological. First of all, the the body’s reactions are not adapted to the triggering events. “It’s normal to be stressed before an interview, but we fall into the pathological if you feel anxiety surges at the idea of being a few minutes late for a dinner with friends“says our interlocutor. The individual suffering from chronic stress presents a fast heartbeat, sweating, shaking, nervousness, lump in stomach, diarrhea. “They are also individuals who extensively metabolize, will eat without gaining weight. They tend to have the boiling brain permanent, to present difficulty anchoring oneself in the present. They are subject to rumination of the past and worry about things that haven’t happened yet“says the psychiatrist.
“These are often unassertive personalities, who lack self-confidence”
What are the effects of chronic stress?
“Unlike acute stress, chronic stress is not beneficial to health. It even contributes to the weakening of our organism” says Dr. Jacq. Contrary to popular belief, stress does not cause cancer. In any case, no study proves it. On the other hand, chronic stress promotes high blood pressure and the risk of cardiovascular disease. It increases the risk stomach ulcer due to gastric acidity. “Chronic stress often causes the patient to risky behavior : drinking alcohol to de-stress, smoking, poor diet or diet that is too weak… factors which are the cause of pathologies. Chronic stress is a cause insomnia and chronic fatigue syndrome can go up to Professional exhaustion” emphasizes Dr. Jacq. The World Health Organization (WHO) recognize burnout or professional exhaustion as a syndrome resulting from chronic stress in the workplace that has not been successfully managed. Psychologically, chronic stress promotes depression and impairs self-confidence. “Functionally, these morphological changes in the brain are associated in the prefrontal cortex with a impaired attention, working memory and behavioral flexibility” say the researchers of the study published in the journal Medicine / science. They add to it spatial memory and learning disordersan increase in memory fear, anxiety and aggression.
What are the treatments for chronic stress?
“I transmit to my patients effective methods to solve their problems, stop ruminating, get organized, assert yourself and learn to delegate. I drive them to set realistic goals to avoid procrastination and I give them little strategies to reduce stress. We are also working on anchoring in the present through techniques of mindfulness, relaxation and breathing meditation to return to “now”” continues Dr. Jacq. “I prefer the behavioral method and if it is really necessary we can turn to drug treatment but anxiolytics are not prescribed chronically so the effect is limited on this type of stress“defends the psychiatrist.
It is the evocation of signs which will make it possible to establish the diagnosis of a chronically stressed person. “Patients consult because they feel under pressure, in burn-out and evokes a “stressful daily life”. They establish an external cause to their stress and not to their (non) capacity to manage it. These are individuals who go procrastinate, mismanage their time, be disorganized. These are often unassertive personalities, who lack self-confidence, find it difficult to express their needs and ask for help” develops the psychiatrist.
Thanks to Dr Fanny Jacq, psychiatrist and Mental Health Director at Qare.
Source: Stress in all its states, July 16, 2012, journal Medicine/sciences