Stress = Physical Illness
- Sanya Samant
- May 30, 2019
- 3 min read
What is the one thing that all of us experience in our daily life? That's right, Stress. Family commitments, pressures due to time, or even difficulties in personal relationships can be important sources of stress. Stress is anything which upsets the body's normal equilibrium or balance in a person's life. Stress has both benefits and disadvantages. For example if you are walking down a dark alley way, and you see a stranger walking towards you with a knife in his hand, stress helps your body to run away from him as fast as possible. If your body was not under the stress of the current situation, your life would be in grave danger. The surge of adrenaline helps you to run. On the other hand it is clear that stress can compromise the ability of normal functioning in people.
What is the effect of stress on physical illness? This is an interesting question to which we do not have a substantial answer yet. Physical stress is associated with stress because of the bodies biological response system which deals with stress. When our body faces a stressful situation, a Natural Response is developed. Walter Cannon first confirmed this theory in the late 1920's. He discovered the brains response to stressful situations such as Increased Heart rate and respiration, pain becomes dull, sugar and fat is released. This response was called the "Fight or Flight Response''.
In response to Cannon's theory, another theory has come to light. The 'Tend and Befriend' Theory means to seek and support. This theory is most common among women as a reaction to stress. This is a theory which shows how and why women deal with stress more efficiently than men. This method involves asking a stranger for directions or talking on the phone with relatives. Women are more likely to seek social support than men during times of stress.
Studies have shown that sudden emotional stresses, such as anger, can trigger life threatening illnesses like heart attacks, arrhythmias, or even sudden death. This mostly occurs with people who already have heart diseases, but some people might not be aware of their heart condition. This theory could also be called Pressure Points as like pressure points trigger our muscles, certain situations may trigger out emotions, which trigger our bodily responses. Chronic Stress is another kind of stress experienced. It is a response to emotional stress experienced or suffered over a prolonged period of time in which the individual suffering perceives little control over the situation. A severe case of Chronic Stress is Depression. This kind of stress can also lead to diseases, such as coronary diseases. These diseases may be because of changes in your body or the bad habits people acquire to cope with the stress like smoking or drugs.
Many psychologists have found that not all stress is bad, some stress can help in motivation, problem solving and even fighting infections. Some even life threatening situations can help peoples lives. A survivor of Cancer would emerge with a new found spirituality or stronger self-esteem because of the stress they endured and conquered. The difference between stress which ruins health and accomplishing stressful tasks is how the stress is handled. Identifying the cause of the stress by writing it down or through your thoughts and mood. Relationships can also act as stress busters. Reaching out to family or friends and let them know you're having a difficult time. They may be able to offer practical assistance with useful ideas or just a different perspective for you to tackle your problem.
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