Stress
Stress is a sense of internal unrest that is brought on by fear of threat, loss or displaced expectations. It is the body's natural defense response to unresolved mental discord. When the mind of a person anticipates danger, whether physical or emotional, it prepares the body for battle. Certain hormones are released that send the person into overdrive. The blood pressure increases, and the heartbeat and breathing rate accelerate. Blood is moved into the muscles and taken away from conscious faculties. Once the object of stress is removed, either objectively or through reason, an opposing response returns the system to normal. The whole ordeal is quite taxing. Frequently repeated or prolonged episodes of anxiety can have serious physical and mental implications. One of the most common effects is depression, a feeling of grief and hopelessness that can severely impair the quality of life.
Displaced Expectations
When a person's perceived entitlements have been violated unexpectedly, it blindsides her reality. A disruption to her internal sense of balance is a shock to the mind. The brain scrambles to find some way of rationalizing the event, of fitting circumstances into the pattern it is accustomed to. If unable to explain happenings in this way, she begins to question her own sense of perception. She wanders in confusion about what's right and wrong. If this continues, she will begin to believe that her opinions, views and very being are worthless.
Reduced Energy
As chronic stress begins to drain a person's resources, his capacity to resist pressure lowers. He starts to lose mental ground more often, and he begins to assume the role of a victim. He begins to relinquish his power of choice to outside forces in a way that slowly dismantles his identity. Feeling unworthy of healthy companionship, he seeks isolation. The act of distancing from family and friends denies him of vital feedback confirming his value to the group. All events become personalized, and every mishap is taken as a statement of his worth.
Hormonal Depression
Under stressful conditions, the adrenal system releases cortisol, a hormone that converts energy for the muscles. However, the excessive discharge of cortisol can cause significant damage to the mind and body. Dopamine, a neurotransmitter partly responsible for stimulating the brain's "pleasure center," is inhibited by cortisol. A person who experiences recurring stress loses the capacity to feel good.
