The Effects of Stress on Health

Stress can significantly affect an individual's mental and physical well-being. Acute stress response of the body is associated with activation of various organ systems, resulting in the release of cortisol and catecholamines. Acute stress response subsides on the resolution of the precipitating stimulus. The persistence of the precipitating stimulus results in chronic stress and burn-out. Longitudinal studies have shown that chronic stress can result in both mental and physical health outcomes. The mental health outcomes include depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, substance use disorder etc. The physical health outcomes include effects on multiple organ systems. It is, therefore, essential to identify and rectify the precipitating factors to minimize the impact of stress on the human body. [ Psychiatr Ann . 2024;54(10):e272–e276.]