Five Symptoms of Chronic Stress

Chronic stress occurs when the body finds it simple impossible to relax. While it is normal to experience stress at work or from a relationship, chronic stress is when a person's fight-or-flight reaction is operating all the time. Chronic stress can present itself in a variety of symptoms, many of which ape the symptoms of other, life-threatening causes.

Physical Symptoms

• Since stress lowers the immune system, people under chronic stress may get sick with colds more often or experience headaches.

Poor Sleep

• Stress may cause insomnia in some people or not allow others to get the deep, restorative sleep needed to fully recharge the body.

Delayed Thinking

• Since the flight-or-fight reaction is constantly active, the body continuously pumps hormones into the brain, making quick thinking more difficult.

Anxiety and Frustration

• People under chronic stress may be more anxious and irritable than normal. They will have shorter tempers and may get angry faster than normal.

Sexual Dysfunction

• Chronic stress can lower the desire to have sex. In men, it may cause erectile dysfunction or premature ejaculation.