Stress-related illnesses: Specialists and information

Leading Medicine Guide Editors
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Leading Medicine Guide Editors

Stress is a normal reaction of the human body. Basically, any situation can trigger stress. The body then releases stress hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol, which enable us to achieve peak physical and mental performance for a short time. However, if stress is a constant companion, it can quickly become a serious problem.

Below you will find further information and selected specialists for stress-related illnesses.

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Article overview

What is stress and exhaustion?

In everyday life, we are exposed to many stimuli from the environment. Some of these trigger a reaction in the body: stress. Stressors, i.e. triggering factors, can include, for example

  • Physical stimuli such as cold, noise and heat,
  • toxic influences such as sensory overload due to strong odors and
  • psychological stress such as anxiety, high personal expectations or time pressure.

Our body releases stress hormones in response to this sensory overload. They release energy in the brain and muscles. This drives the body to peak performance in order to withstand the stressors and cope better with the strain.

Causes of stress and exhaustion

The WHO (World Health Organization) has declared stress and exhaustion to be the greatest health risk of the 21st century. In today's world, there are many influences that not only affect adults, but also children, such as

  • too much work,
  • high demands,
  • arguments,
  • noise or
  • little human attention.
Stress im Beruf
The job is one of the biggest stress triggers of our time © Krakenimages.com | AdobeStock

    Different reactions to stress

    Everyone reacts differently to these stimuli. Huge piles of files on the desk can trigger palpitations and panic attacks in one person, while another remains rather unimpressed. Expectations at school give one pupil a headache and stomach ache, while another remains more relaxed.

    Driving and stressful stress

    There are therefore two different types of stress:

    • Positive stress (eustress): Drives the body in stressful life situations,
    • negative stress (dysstress): Has a straining effect on the body. Persistent dystress has a disease-promoting effect on the body.

    Nowadays, psychosocial stress factors represent the largest proportion of triggers for dysstress. These include, among others

    • Death in the family
    • Divorce or separation
    • Conflicts in the relationship
    • Lack of time, deadline pressure
    • Lack of money, poverty, debt
    • Bullying at work and at school
    • Fear of failure
    • High demands on oneself
    • Social isolation and neglect
    • Overstimulation

    In the last decade, the number of days employees are absent from work has risen by almost 80 percent. The reason for this is the increasing incidence of mental illness. They are presumably caused by a hectic workplace and work schedule and the associated high pressure to perform.

    Particularly common stress reactions are depression and burnout syndrome. Burnout is a state of physical and emotional exhaustion.

    Symptoms of stress and exhaustion

    Permanent high pressure to perform without periods of rest and constant environmental overstimulation mean stress for most people. Chronic stress always has negative effects on the body. They are not always immediately noticeable at first. Every person can react to stress with different physical complaints.

    Typical stress reactions are different in children, adolescents and adults:

    Stress and exhaustion in adults

    Psychological effects:

    • Confusion,
    • Difficulty concentrating,
    • hallucinations,
    • forgetfulness,
    • Depression,
    • fatigue,
    • anxiety,
    • helplessness,
    • Increase in aggressive behavior,
    • irritability,
    • sleep disorders,
    • loss of appetite,
    • absent-mindedness,
    • social withdrawal

    Physical effects:

    Stress and exhaustion in children and adolescents

    Ages 1 to 5:

    Age from 5 to 11:

    • Staples,
    • aggressiveness,
    • nightmares,
    • Fear of the dark,
    • Fear of school,
    • biting fingernails,
    • lack of interest,
    • lack of concentration,
    • social withdrawal.

    Ages 11 to 14:

    Age from 14 to 18:

    None of these alarm signals should be ignored: negative stress places a great burden on the body, to which the immune system reacts very sensitively. Many people who are permanently stressed suffer from various infections time and again. So if you don't counteract stress in time, you run the risk of more serious illnesses.

    Coping with stress

    Coping with and avoiding stress is of the utmost importance for your well-being. These two tips will help you to reduce stress:

    Tip 1: You usually have no direct influence on the biggest stress trigger - work or school demands. However, you do have an influence on how you deal with and react to your tasks. People tend to put themselves under more pressure than necessary. This also means more stress for the body.

    If you catch yourself thinking stress-inducing thoughts, pause for a moment, take a deep breath and tell yourself to stay calm. Such positive and empowering conversations with yourself are enormously helpful in coping with or avoiding stress.

    Tip 2: Your attitude to time is also important, especially to breaks, waiting times and delays. Breaks and waiting times are not simply a time to be inactive. They are important for you and your mental well-being. You should therefore see them as welcome opportunities to recharge your batteries and relax for a short time.

    In addition to avoiding the causes of stress, you can of course also use various relaxation methods.

    Extremely effective means for daily stress reduction are

    • regular physical exercise and sport, but also
    • simple breathing or relaxation exercises such as yoga and autogenic training.

    These all count as active relaxation. Only this type of relaxation is suitable for coping with stress.

    Passive relaxation, such as lying on the couch and watching television, is not suitable for physical and mental relaxation. You can find help in finding a suitable relaxation program from your family doctor or your health insurance company.

    Help from the pharmacy

    Stress itself cannot be prevented or reduced by medication. However, some preparations can help you to find your inner balance and relax more easily. They consist mainly of natural active ingredients and are therefore available over the counter.

    All remedies that offer a balance for stress and exhaustion are based on the rules of anthroposophic medicine. They are designed to holistically stimulate the body's self-healing powers. The specially prepared metals, such as gold, and minerals (e.g. ferrum quartz) contained in them have a harmonizing effect on the whole body.

    Various compositions also alleviate

    • anxiety and restlessness,
    • headaches and
    • depressive moods.

    You can discuss which remedies are right for you with a pharmacist.

    In addition, natural medicinal plants such as

    • valerian,
    • hops,
    • St. John's wort and
    • lemon balm

    have calming, sleep-promoting or mood-enhancing properties. They are said to be particularly helpful for mild depression and sleep disorders. Remedies containing taiga root or ginseng can also have a balancing and harmonizing effect on your body.

    Finally, relaxing tea blends and warm baths with the addition of hay flowers or lavender also provide inner relaxation.

    Simply try out which of these medicinal plants have a positive effect on your relaxation.

    Balancing out stressful everyday life

    You should make sure that you find a balance to your stressful everyday life to rebalance your tension. If you work alone during the day, seek the company of friends in the evening. If you are mainly there for others in everyday life, don't forget yourself. Make sure you have enough positive factors in your life, such as

    • affection and attention,
    • social relationships and friendships,
    • regular physical exercise and a balanced diet,
    • the expression (and not suppression!) of feelings such as joy, anger and sadness,
    • a healthy living and working environment.

    If none of this helps: see a doctor!

    If you are permanently under stress and cannot find a way to relax yourself, you should think about seeing a doctor. Otherwise you could develop secondary illnesses.

    If you already suffer from stress-related illnesses such as

    • Stomach pain or headaches,
    • emotional upsets or
    • sleep disorders,

    a visit to your family doctor is essential. They will be able to help you find a suitable anti-stress program or a psychotherapist.

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