Stress can wreak havoc in your life if you do not determine the underlying cause of the stress and work on improving it. According to the Mayo Clinic, long-term stress can cause the increased risk or worsening of health conditions such as heart disease, depression, gastrointestinal problems, sleep problems or memory problems. A therapist or psychiatrist can be a great resource in helping you to determine the underlying causes of stress in your life and plan treatment, if necessary.
Heredity
Genetics can play a role in a person's vulnerability to stress or anxiety disorders. While anxiety disorders themselves are not inherited, general personality types are. If a person is generally energetic and active, their children could inherit this personality type. Certain personalities can be more predisposed to developing stress and anxiety disorders. According to "The Anxiety and Phobia Workbook," the 17th chromosome--also known as the serotonin transfer gene--is related to the brain's development of serotonin. People who have a shorter form of this gene are more likely to develop anxiety and mood disorders.
Environment
Leading a busy or stressful lifestyle can cause stress to accumulate quickly. Other vulnerability factors include poor sleep hygiene and poor diet. Some people are brought up in an unhealthy environment, hindering their ability to cope with stress effectively. A person whose parents were overly cautious could start to view the world as "dangerous." Overly critical parents could cause a person to always feel the need to strive for perfection. Some people grow up in an environment that does not approve of showing emotion, causing the person to bottle up feelings. Sometimes, it is important to learn new coping techniques.
Mental Illness
Anxiety disorders can cause chronic stress if left untreated. A person who suffers from panic disorder can have frequent and acute onsets of panic and stress. General anxiety disorder causes more of a constant nagging worry. Someone who suffers from obsessive compulsive disorder may obsess over particular items or situations, causing distress until a compulsion is acted upon to relieve it. Therapy, medication and lifestyle changes can help people who suffer from anxiety disorders.
Life Events
Major life events--even good events--can cause significant stress in your life, even if you do not realize it is happening. Common life events associated with stress include the death of a loved one, divorce and debt. Even good life events can cause stress due to the planning and changes involved. Examples of good life events that cause stress include getting married or purchasing a home.
References
- "The Anxiety and Phobia Workbook"; Edmund J. Bourne, PHD; 2005
- Mayo Clinic: Stress- Win Control Over the Stress in Your Life
- National Health Information Center: Manage Stress
