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What Are the Causes of Chronic Stress?

Chronic stress may have serious negative effects on your mental and physical well-being. The causes of chronic stress differ from person to person, and include factors within your control--such as your economic situation and your response to daily events--as well as things you cannot control, such as other people's behavior. Consider this information from the Mayo Clinic and the National Institute of Mental Health about the causes of chronic stress.

  1. Family

    • Guilt from your in-laws; a lack of respect from your children, siblings or parents; and an overload of familial obligations may cause chronic stress.

    Work

    • Constant competition among your coworkers or poor treatment from your supervisor at work may cause you to have chronic stress.

    School

    • Whether you are in high school or medical school, you may have chronic stress as a result of high expectations for your grades and overall academic performance.

    Daily Life

    • The small things in your daily life, such as traffic congestion, long lines at the store and disrespectful people, may cause you to have chronic stress.

    Self Expectations

    • Having a Type A personality or putting a lot of pressure on yourself to succeed can cause you to have chronic stress in your life.

    Finances

    • Chronic stress may result if your finances are in poor shape, or if you are worried about losing your job or your home.

    Illnesses

    • You may develop chronic stress as a result of a serious illness, such as cancer or heart disease, or if you become sick frequently.

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