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Physiological Causes of Stress

At home, work and school, stress creeps into people's lives every day. Many causes of stress are external. Your child might misbehave or you may find yourself in the middle of a romantic break up, both of which will bring you frustration and anxiety. However, a number of physiological conditions trigger stress-related feelings and emotions. Eventually, these conditions work in tandem with stress to create a cause-and-effect cycle that is difficult to break.

  1. Obesity

    • Stress and obesity are so intricately linked that it is often difficult to tell which one influences the other more. However, it is apparent that the obstacles associated with obesity can trigger large amounts of stress. Obesity is defined as being 20 percent over your ideal body weight, which takes age and height into consideration. Obese people may have difficulty moving around or keeping up with their children. This may cause them to feel isolated and alone, which can produce stress. Usually, obese people do not engage in a regular amount of physical activity. Exercise releases a brain chemical called serotonin, which produces feelings of happiness. If obese people are not releasing enough serotonin, this could lead to depression, which causes stress.

    Cancer

    • A cancer diagnosis leaves many people with feelings of helplessness and depression. The disease and treatment are both physically crippling. Patients can become tired, nauseous and sore. These physical disabilities can easily trigger stress, especially for people who do not have adequate support systems. Also, some cancer treatments require a lot of bed rest, which can make people feel trapped or useless, two feelings that can produce stress.

    Chronic Pain

    • People who live with chronic back pain or arthritis are at risk of stress. When you have conditions like these, it is difficult to escape the pain. You may find yourself constantly thinking about it and experiencing agony each time you move. When this occurs, you are likely to feel stress about how you got to this point and how you will move forward. Chronic pain sufferers can try a number of remedies such as massage, chiropractic adjustments and acupuncture.

    Other Causes

    • It's feasible that any kind of health issue can cause stress or be aggravated by it. If you have digestive problems that require you to take medication or frequent trips to the bathroom, you might feel frustration or embarrassment that can lead to stress. Sleep disorders leave you with low amounts of energy that will inevitably lead to irritation. Heart disease can produce anxiety about longevity, which may cause stress as well.

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