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Understanding the causes of stress onset and development, as well as its qualified and timely treatment, will help avoid serious consequences for physical and mental health.
"Stress" translates from English as "tension," "emphasis." It is a natural reaction of our psyche and the organism as a whole to external factors. In situations associated with danger or discomfort, there is a release of adrenaline and a mobilization of physical and mental resources to solve the problem that has arisen. Most people regularly encounter stressful situations. The danger lies in an overly strong emotional reaction to them, which can lead to neuroses, depression, and other mental disorders. Stress can negatively affect the functioning of various body systems. Therefore, it is so important to understand why it occurs and how to combat it to prevent complications.
The Most Common Causes of Stress
They are divided into external and internal.
The former include:
• Change of season, climate, unfavorable weather conditions: heat, cold, heavy rains, snowfalls, hurricanes, floods, etc.
• Transition to a different time zone, disruption of circadian rhythms, sleeping in bright light and/or noise, lack of sunlight.
• Military actions, negative news background.
Internal factors:
• Conflicts at home or at work, financial difficulties, moving house, death of a loved one.
• Chronic diseases, intoxication, lack of sleep (insomnia), low or excessively high physical activity, poor nutrition.
• Abuse of stimulants: caffeine, tannin, etc.
Specialists distinguish between endogenous depression, caused by heredity or mental illnesses, and reactive depression, which arises in response to a difficult situation.
Main Symptoms of Stress
According to statistics, women in our country are most susceptible to stress, as they are more sensitive and emotionally reactive to events. Today, most professions are associated with strong negative experiences, but the most "stressful" is considered to be the work of a teacher, entrepreneur, and physician. Recently, the percentage of people with chronic stress has been steadily increasing. It gets to the point where they consider this state normal and habitual. Therefore, it is important to timely diagnose the problem and begin the fight against stress.
In chronic stress, the entire body undergoes changes, so the manifestations can be highly diverse.
The person's behavior changes:
• They become irritable, aggressive, provoke conflicts, lose interest in usual activities and social circle, neglect their appearance.
• Self-esteem decreases, mood swings occur, along with bursts of anger and suspicion.
• A feeling of helplessness, fear of the future, and anxiety appear.
Lifestyle changes:
• Sleep becomes restless or drowsiness appears.
• Harmful habits emerge, such as alcohol abuse.
• Chronic fatigue is observed, and work capacity decreases.
Cognitive and intellectual functions are impaired:
• Concentration and attention worsen, creativity decreases, memory deteriorates.
• Problems with logical thinking appear, and the person writes with errors.
Physiological symptoms:
• Headaches, dizziness, increased pulse rate, decreased immunity, increased perspiration (sweating).
• Fluctuations in blood pressure, weight gain or sharp loss, disrupted appetite.
• Muscles are constantly tense, spasms occur, libido decreases.
• Hormonal background changes, organs begin to function worse, and chronic diseases are exacerbated.
Types of Stress
Two varieties of stress are distinguished.
Eustress — "good" stress. It arises against the background of situations that are successfully resolved. They are very important for stepping out of one's comfort zone and making changes in life. They motivate one not to stand still but to move forward, overcoming difficulties. For example, we take on a complex but interesting and promising project. It may take a lot of effort and time, but the finale promises a good fee or career growth, respect, and a feeling of self-pride. We anticipate this and experience eustress. The occasion may be a successful exam, a fortunate purchase, or a promotion.
Distress. It is harmful to the psyche and physiology, causing negative emotions. It is caused by a prolonged stressful situation resulting from several causes. Typical situations: military service, a new environment, financial difficulties, conflicts at work, lack of sleep, etc. Difficulties are often insurmountable. Due to psychotraumatic phenomena, a person's mood deteriorates, work capacity and physical activity decrease, negative thoughts appear, and they cease to experience positive emotions. Long-term exposure to negative factors leads to chronic stress, which can be fatal.
There are several types of distress:
• Emotional. Occurs when we experience a strong shock, both negative (death of a relative, breakup with a loved one) and positive (travel, wedding, birth of a child).
• Physiological. Usually associated with weather changes (frost, heat, hurricane), chemical (lack of oxygen, toxic substances in the air) or physical impacts (injuries, overloads). All of them have consequences for us. Even when the situation normalizes, we may experience chronic overwork and apathy.
• Chronic. The result of the body's adaptation to negative external factors: family quarrels, work overload. This is the most destructive, dangerous type of stress. It often provokes changes in the structure and size of the brain, and impairments in its functioning. It can cause cardiovascular diseases and neuroses.
• Nervous. Manifests as severe physical and emotional tension. The person loses control over emotions, becomes irritable and aggressive.
Stages of Stress Development
1. Alarm Reaction (Тревога). When we experience fear, a signal is sent from the cerebral cortex to the hypothalamus. A hormone is produced that acts on the pituitary gland. The result is the active release of cortisol, adrenaline, and norepinephrine into the blood. This causes an increase in breathing and pulse rate.
2. Resistance/Adaptation (Адаптация). The organism tries to return to a normal state and restore the impaired functions. If unsuccessful, the third phase ensues.
3. Exhaustion (Истощение). The internal resources mobilized to combat the negativity are depleted. Everything can end in a nervous breakdown, depressive state, and other illnesses. It becomes impossible to cope with the problem alone; it is necessary to consult a specialist as soon as possible.
Biochemistry of Stress
Our body's reaction to stressful situations is controlled by two organs: the hypothalamus and the adrenal glands. When a threat arises, the glands secrete a specific set of hormones.
When danger threatens us, the adrenal glands immediately release adrenaline and norepinephrine into the blood. The level of these hormones rises due to shock or anxiety. The result: increased heart rate, dilated pupils.
Norepinephrine is produced in any shock situation. It causes an increase in blood pressure.
In extreme situations and during physical exertion, the level of cortisol "jumps" up. Low concentrations of the hormone are not harmful to the body. But with prolonged exposure, the brain suffers — it even decreases in size. Under the influence of high doses of cortisol, synaptic connections between neurons are severed, and the prefrontal cortex of the brain, responsible for decision-making, cognitive behavior, and social interaction, shrinks.
In women under severe stress, the mammary glands are affected due to the action of prolactin. Problems with metabolism arise.
Corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) / Corticoliberin is a peptide hormone that "turns on" reactions of fear, tension, and anxiety. It increases arterial pressure and can lead to anorexia.
Consequences of Stress
If a person cannot influence the situation, chronic stress develops, which requires treatment. If the problem is neglected, it can cause depression and/or neurosis, and disrupt the functioning of all systems and organs.
Nervous tension causes a whole "bouquet" of problems:
• The endocrine system's function is impaired, the adrenal glands enlarge, vital energy is depleted, and immunity is reduced.
• Aging accelerates, and other diseases develop, including cardiovascular, oncological, and gastric ulcers.
• Cystitis and incontinence begin, a myocardial infarction (heart attack) or stroke may occur.
• The risk of acute mental disorders is high: schizophrenia, dementia, OCD.
• Alcohol or drug addiction may appear, and a commencing depression may end in suicide.
The saddest part is that these processes are often irreversible. Stress and related diseases reduce life expectancy. For example, against the background of a stressful state, the mortality rate from cardiac diseases increases by 1.6 times. Therefore, timely qualified treatment is so important.
Prevention of Stress: What Needs to Change?
It is impossible to completely exclude stress from your life. But we can learn to control our emotions and resist its destructive consequences.
Preventive measures:
• Diversify the diet with foods containing magnesium. Nuts (hazelnuts, almonds, peanuts), seeds, sesame, buckwheat, dark chocolate, and seaweed are rich in it. This element fights stress and reduces cortisol levels.
• Limit alcohol consumption. Alcohol does not help get rid of stress; it only exacerbates it, and everything can end in depression.
• Do not drink coffee after three in the afternoon, especially if your cortisol level is elevated.
• Do not postpone a visit to a psychologist if you are troubled by fear, anxiety, or strong emotional experiences.
• Stop comparing yourself and your life with an ideal picture from the internet. Also, avoid excessive consumption of content containing negative information.
• Allocate time for adequate sleep — at least 7-8 hours per day.
• Physical activity improves cognitive abilities and concentration. Therefore, you should engage in sports.
• Do not take on all tasks at once and do not try to do everything at the last moment. Learn to manage your time.
• Engage in meditation and yoga, learn to relax and detach from triggers.
• Most importantly — try to control your emotions and learn to enjoy life.
How to Increase Stress Resistance
It is important to be able to react to difficult situations without harming the nervous system. Here is what you can do to increase stress resistance:
• Relieve nervous tension through fitness, jogging, or watching an interesting movie.
• Change your environment, place of residence.
• Formulate the right motivation for yourself if you have to act in extreme conditions.
• Normalize sleep and nutrition — this will help strengthen the nervous system.
• Balance rest and tension to maintain vitality.
• Get a pet — zoo-therapy helps cope with psychological problems.
• Get more positive emotions — laughter is proven to lower stress hormone levels.
• Engage in creative activities.
Treatment of Stress
If you feel that you cannot cope with stress on your own, seek help from a psychotherapist or psychiatrist. They will listen to your complaints and prescribe a treatment plan, which may include the following practices:
• A course of psychotherapy. It will help manage stress and return to normal life. The treatment regimen is chosen depending on the patient's condition and personality characteristics.
• Diagnosis of other diseases that may arise from stress.
• Prescribing medications. Mild sedatives will help relieve anxiety, and in severe cases, antidepressants and tranquilizers are prescribed.
• Relaxation techniques: breathing exercises, yoga, massage.
It is impossible to treat the pathology independently. Self-medication can even worsen the condition: diseases that were previously in a latent form may manifest.
Diagnosis and Treatment of Stress at Expert Clinics in Moscow
Expert Clinics offers comprehensive diagnosis and quality treatment of stress. Patients receive European-level service. Diagnosis using advanced methods will accurately establish the deep-seated causes of the problem. When you book an appointment, the doctor will conduct a consultation, listen to your complaints, and prescribe a treatment plan. It will consist of several stages. We also help patients get rid of the consequences of stress and return to a full, normal life.
Advantages of contacting Expert Clinics:
• Confidentiality. Your personal data is not disclosed, and treatment occurs without official registration.
• Individual approach, full immersion in the patient's psychological problems until their resolution.
• Comprehensive diagnosis and treatment using progressive methods.
• Use of only safe, certified medications.
• The staff includes motivated, highly qualified specialists with substantial practical experience.
• Reasonable prices for all services — calculated individually.
The first step to solving the problem is an appointment with an Expert Clinics specialist. To do this, call the number listed on the website or leave your contact information, and we will call you back ourselves.
The Most Common Causes of Stress
They are divided into external and internal.
The former include:
• Change of season, climate, unfavorable weather conditions: heat, cold, heavy rains, snowfalls, hurricanes, floods, etc.
• Transition to a different time zone, disruption of circadian rhythms, sleeping in bright light and/or noise, lack of sunlight.
• Military actions, negative news background.
Internal factors:
• Conflicts at home or at work, financial difficulties, moving house, death of a loved one.
• Chronic diseases, intoxication, lack of sleep (insomnia), low or excessively high physical activity, poor nutrition.
• Abuse of stimulants: caffeine, tannin, etc.
Specialists distinguish between endogenous depression, caused by heredity or mental illnesses, and reactive depression, which arises in response to a difficult situation.
Main Symptoms of Stress
According to statistics, women in our country are most susceptible to stress, as they are more sensitive and emotionally reactive to events. Today, most professions are associated with strong negative experiences, but the most "stressful" is considered to be the work of a teacher, entrepreneur, and physician. Recently, the percentage of people with chronic stress has been steadily increasing. It gets to the point where they consider this state normal and habitual. Therefore, it is important to timely diagnose the problem and begin the fight against stress.
In chronic stress, the entire body undergoes changes, so the manifestations can be highly diverse.
The person's behavior changes:
• They become irritable, aggressive, provoke conflicts, lose interest in usual activities and social circle, neglect their appearance.
• Self-esteem decreases, mood swings occur, along with bursts of anger and suspicion.
• A feeling of helplessness, fear of the future, and anxiety appear.
Lifestyle changes:
• Sleep becomes restless or drowsiness appears.
• Harmful habits emerge, such as alcohol abuse.
• Chronic fatigue is observed, and work capacity decreases.
Cognitive and intellectual functions are impaired:
• Concentration and attention worsen, creativity decreases, memory deteriorates.
• Problems with logical thinking appear, and the person writes with errors.
Physiological symptoms:
• Headaches, dizziness, increased pulse rate, decreased immunity, increased perspiration (sweating).
• Fluctuations in blood pressure, weight gain or sharp loss, disrupted appetite.
• Muscles are constantly tense, spasms occur, libido decreases.
• Hormonal background changes, organs begin to function worse, and chronic diseases are exacerbated.
Types of Stress
Two varieties of stress are distinguished.
Eustress — "good" stress. It arises against the background of situations that are successfully resolved. They are very important for stepping out of one's comfort zone and making changes in life. They motivate one not to stand still but to move forward, overcoming difficulties. For example, we take on a complex but interesting and promising project. It may take a lot of effort and time, but the finale promises a good fee or career growth, respect, and a feeling of self-pride. We anticipate this and experience eustress. The occasion may be a successful exam, a fortunate purchase, or a promotion.
Distress. It is harmful to the psyche and physiology, causing negative emotions. It is caused by a prolonged stressful situation resulting from several causes. Typical situations: military service, a new environment, financial difficulties, conflicts at work, lack of sleep, etc. Difficulties are often insurmountable. Due to psychotraumatic phenomena, a person's mood deteriorates, work capacity and physical activity decrease, negative thoughts appear, and they cease to experience positive emotions. Long-term exposure to negative factors leads to chronic stress, which can be fatal.
There are several types of distress:
• Emotional. Occurs when we experience a strong shock, both negative (death of a relative, breakup with a loved one) and positive (travel, wedding, birth of a child).
• Physiological. Usually associated with weather changes (frost, heat, hurricane), chemical (lack of oxygen, toxic substances in the air) or physical impacts (injuries, overloads). All of them have consequences for us. Even when the situation normalizes, we may experience chronic overwork and apathy.
• Chronic. The result of the body's adaptation to negative external factors: family quarrels, work overload. This is the most destructive, dangerous type of stress. It often provokes changes in the structure and size of the brain, and impairments in its functioning. It can cause cardiovascular diseases and neuroses.
• Nervous. Manifests as severe physical and emotional tension. The person loses control over emotions, becomes irritable and aggressive.
Stages of Stress Development
1. Alarm Reaction (Тревога). When we experience fear, a signal is sent from the cerebral cortex to the hypothalamus. A hormone is produced that acts on the pituitary gland. The result is the active release of cortisol, adrenaline, and norepinephrine into the blood. This causes an increase in breathing and pulse rate.
2. Resistance/Adaptation (Адаптация). The organism tries to return to a normal state and restore the impaired functions. If unsuccessful, the third phase ensues.
3. Exhaustion (Истощение). The internal resources mobilized to combat the negativity are depleted. Everything can end in a nervous breakdown, depressive state, and other illnesses. It becomes impossible to cope with the problem alone; it is necessary to consult a specialist as soon as possible.
Biochemistry of Stress
Our body's reaction to stressful situations is controlled by two organs: the hypothalamus and the adrenal glands. When a threat arises, the glands secrete a specific set of hormones.
When danger threatens us, the adrenal glands immediately release adrenaline and norepinephrine into the blood. The level of these hormones rises due to shock or anxiety. The result: increased heart rate, dilated pupils.
Norepinephrine is produced in any shock situation. It causes an increase in blood pressure.
In extreme situations and during physical exertion, the level of cortisol "jumps" up. Low concentrations of the hormone are not harmful to the body. But with prolonged exposure, the brain suffers — it even decreases in size. Under the influence of high doses of cortisol, synaptic connections between neurons are severed, and the prefrontal cortex of the brain, responsible for decision-making, cognitive behavior, and social interaction, shrinks.
In women under severe stress, the mammary glands are affected due to the action of prolactin. Problems with metabolism arise.
Corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) / Corticoliberin is a peptide hormone that "turns on" reactions of fear, tension, and anxiety. It increases arterial pressure and can lead to anorexia.
Consequences of Stress
If a person cannot influence the situation, chronic stress develops, which requires treatment. If the problem is neglected, it can cause depression and/or neurosis, and disrupt the functioning of all systems and organs.
Nervous tension causes a whole "bouquet" of problems:
• The endocrine system's function is impaired, the adrenal glands enlarge, vital energy is depleted, and immunity is reduced.
• Aging accelerates, and other diseases develop, including cardiovascular, oncological, and gastric ulcers.
• Cystitis and incontinence begin, a myocardial infarction (heart attack) or stroke may occur.
• The risk of acute mental disorders is high: schizophrenia, dementia, OCD.
• Alcohol or drug addiction may appear, and a commencing depression may end in suicide.
The saddest part is that these processes are often irreversible. Stress and related diseases reduce life expectancy. For example, against the background of a stressful state, the mortality rate from cardiac diseases increases by 1.6 times. Therefore, timely qualified treatment is so important.
Prevention of Stress: What Needs to Change?
It is impossible to completely exclude stress from your life. But we can learn to control our emotions and resist its destructive consequences.
Preventive measures:
• Diversify the diet with foods containing magnesium. Nuts (hazelnuts, almonds, peanuts), seeds, sesame, buckwheat, dark chocolate, and seaweed are rich in it. This element fights stress and reduces cortisol levels.
• Limit alcohol consumption. Alcohol does not help get rid of stress; it only exacerbates it, and everything can end in depression.
• Do not drink coffee after three in the afternoon, especially if your cortisol level is elevated.
• Do not postpone a visit to a psychologist if you are troubled by fear, anxiety, or strong emotional experiences.
• Stop comparing yourself and your life with an ideal picture from the internet. Also, avoid excessive consumption of content containing negative information.
• Allocate time for adequate sleep — at least 7-8 hours per day.
• Physical activity improves cognitive abilities and concentration. Therefore, you should engage in sports.
• Do not take on all tasks at once and do not try to do everything at the last moment. Learn to manage your time.
• Engage in meditation and yoga, learn to relax and detach from triggers.
• Most importantly — try to control your emotions and learn to enjoy life.
How to Increase Stress Resistance
It is important to be able to react to difficult situations without harming the nervous system. Here is what you can do to increase stress resistance:
• Relieve nervous tension through fitness, jogging, or watching an interesting movie.
• Change your environment, place of residence.
• Formulate the right motivation for yourself if you have to act in extreme conditions.
• Normalize sleep and nutrition — this will help strengthen the nervous system.
• Balance rest and tension to maintain vitality.
• Get a pet — zoo-therapy helps cope with psychological problems.
• Get more positive emotions — laughter is proven to lower stress hormone levels.
• Engage in creative activities.
Treatment of Stress
If you feel that you cannot cope with stress on your own, seek help from a psychotherapist or psychiatrist. They will listen to your complaints and prescribe a treatment plan, which may include the following practices:
• A course of psychotherapy. It will help manage stress and return to normal life. The treatment regimen is chosen depending on the patient's condition and personality characteristics.
• Diagnosis of other diseases that may arise from stress.
• Prescribing medications. Mild sedatives will help relieve anxiety, and in severe cases, antidepressants and tranquilizers are prescribed.
• Relaxation techniques: breathing exercises, yoga, massage.
It is impossible to treat the pathology independently. Self-medication can even worsen the condition: diseases that were previously in a latent form may manifest.
Diagnosis and Treatment of Stress at Expert Clinics in Moscow
Expert Clinics offers comprehensive diagnosis and quality treatment of stress. Patients receive European-level service. Diagnosis using advanced methods will accurately establish the deep-seated causes of the problem. When you book an appointment, the doctor will conduct a consultation, listen to your complaints, and prescribe a treatment plan. It will consist of several stages. We also help patients get rid of the consequences of stress and return to a full, normal life.
Advantages of contacting Expert Clinics:
• Confidentiality. Your personal data is not disclosed, and treatment occurs without official registration.
• Individual approach, full immersion in the patient's psychological problems until their resolution.
• Comprehensive diagnosis and treatment using progressive methods.
• Use of only safe, certified medications.
• The staff includes motivated, highly qualified specialists with substantial practical experience.
• Reasonable prices for all services — calculated individually.
The first step to solving the problem is an appointment with an Expert Clinics specialist. To do this, call the number listed on the website or leave your contact information, and we will call you back ourselves.
+7 (495) 154-21-44 
admin@expertclinics.ru 
Moscow, Starovolynskaya st., 12 bld. 1