Stress can occur when you're sitting in traffic, working all night to meet a deadline or when your daughter throws a temper tantrum in the grocery store. Experiencing stress and anxiety is normal and can be helpful in certain situations; however, it can be harmful and detrimental if experienced on a regular, constant basis according to Helpguide.org. When stress and anxiety become commonplace, it can lead to physical and mental health issues such as anxiety disorders.
Anxiety Disorders
When someone experiences stress, fear and worry on a constant basis, she can develop an anxiety disorder such as generalized anxiety disorder or panic attacks. If the stress leads to obsessive thoughts, it can turn into obsessive-compulsive disorder. Someone who develops a fear of a certain object might develop a specific phobia. People who experience a traumatic event and continue to be stressed out might develop post-traumatic stress disorder.
Social Issues
People who are plagued with continuous stress and worry usually experience negative social effects. For instance, someone who develops panic disorder due to stress and anxiety might become anxious in public places leading him to avoid them. This could impact the person's ability to make and maintain healthy relationships. Imagine being afraid of public places and trying to date. You can't go to restaurants, movie theaters, bowling alleys and other common dating locations without experiencing overwhelming stress and fear.
Occupational and Financial Issues
Someone suffering from stress and anxiety will probably have issues at work. She might have a hard time concentrating due to fatigue, a common symptom of anxiety and stress. This could lead her to not be able to complete projects on time and meet company deadlines. These things will cause the person to become more stressed and anxious, which turns into a detrimental circle of stress. The person might be demoted or fired due to her inability to complete job related tasks in a timely manner.
If someone loses her job due to anxiety, it would probably cause financial issues, especially if she was the breadwinner of the family. Her partner might have to pick up a part-time job, or her family might struggle to pay needed bills such as grocery and electric bills.
Physical Effects
According to Helpguide.org, stress can lead to many physical issues such as heart disease, digestive problems, obesity and skin conditions. Physical issues can also exacerbate feelings of anxiety, occupational and social problems and financial issues. These physical symptoms can be dealt with medically, but if the person does not treat the underlying stress and anxiety, the root causes of the problem, then they will probably return.
