Source: # Understanding stress and mental disorders *From the book – Chapter 7: Stress and the Body* ## Stress and mental disorders Chronic stress does not always cause a mental disorder, but it is a major risk factor: - Anxiety disorders: ongoing stress can heighten vigilance and worry, contributing to generalised anxiety, panic disorder, and social anxiety. - Depression: chronic stress, especially with helplessness or lack of support, can lead to or worsen depression. - PTSD: follows exposure to severe trauma (war, assault, accident, disaster). Symptoms include flashbacks, nightmares, avoidance, hypervigilance, and emotional numbness. - Substance use disorders: some people use alcohol, drugs, or smoking to self-medicate stress, which can lead to dependence and worsen mental health over time. Early stress management can reduce the risk of these conditions developing or becoming severe. [Read the full chapter – Chapter 7: Stress and the Body](https://psychologyforeveryone.com/chapter/7/) ## Stories from real life - [The Exam Season Knot](https://psychologyforeveryone.com/story/the-exam-season-knot-25/) – Priya, seventeen, lives in Jaipur and is two months away from her board exams. Every evening, when she opens her chemistry book, her heart starts to… - [Running on Empty](https://psychologyforeveryone.com/story/running-on-empty-26/) – Rahul, thirty-four, manages a software team in Pune. For two years he has said yes to every request, working until ten at night and answering messages… - [A New Country, A Heavy Heart](https://psychologyforeveryone.com/story/a-new-country-a-heavy-heart-27/) – Mei Lin moved from Singapore to Manchester three months ago for her husband's job. She left behind her friends and her work as a teacher. At… - [Meera, Age 38](https://psychologyforeveryone.com/story/meera-age-38-162/) – Meera worked long hours, cared for ageing parents, and managed the household. She felt rushed and tense. She slept late, skipped meals, and drank multiple cups… ## Shloks - [Bhagavad Gita 2.14](https://psychologyforeveryone.com/shloka/bhagavad-gita-2-14-18/) – Contacts with the world give cold and heat, pleasure and pain. They come and go; they are not lasting. Endure them, O Bharata. More on this topic: [Stress – causes, symptoms and how to reduce stress at work and in exams](https://psychologyforeveryone.com/topic/stress/) ## More questions - [Understanding healthy ways to manage stress](https://psychologyforeveryone.com/answers/understanding-healthy-ways-to-manage-stress/) - [Body-based – healthy ways to manage stress](https://psychologyforeveryone.com/answers/body-based-healthy-ways-to-manage-stress/) - [Mind-based – healthy ways to manage stress](https://psychologyforeveryone.com/answers/mind-based-healthy-ways-to-manage-stress/) - [Social and lifestyle – healthy ways to manage stress](https://psychologyforeveryone.com/answers/social-and-lifestyle-healthy-ways-to-manage-stress/) - [Understanding unhealthy coping – stress](https://psychologyforeveryone.com/answers/understanding-unhealthy-coping-stress/) - [Understanding common causes of stress](https://psychologyforeveryone.com/answers/understanding-common-causes-of-stress/) - [Understanding burnout – stress](https://psychologyforeveryone.com/answers/understanding-burnout-stress/) - [What is the difference between stress and anxiety?](https://psychologyforeveryone.com/answers/what-is-the-difference-between-stress-and-anxiety/) - [Understanding adjustment disorder – stress](https://psychologyforeveryone.com/answers/understanding-adjustment-disorder-stress/) - [Understanding thinking differently about stress](https://psychologyforeveryone.com/answers/understanding-thinking-differently-about-stress/) - [How to reduce stress – healthy ways that work](https://psychologyforeveryone.com/answers/how-to-reduce-stress/) - [What is burnout and how do you recover?](https://psychologyforeveryone.com/answers/what-is-burnout/) [myadvisorfriend@gmail.com](mailto:myadvisorfriend@gmail.com) · [Contact](https://psychologyforeveryone.com/contact/) · [About](https://psychologyforeveryone.com/about/) · [Privacy](https://psychologyforeveryone.com/privacy/) · [Disclaimer](https://psychologyforeveryone.com/disclaimer/) --- *Psychology for Everyone – A Mental Well Being Series* by Satish Zope · free to read · Contact: [myadvisorfriend@gmail.com](mailto:myadvisorfriend@gmail.com) · [About](https://psychologyforeveryone.com/about/) · [Privacy](https://psychologyforeveryone.com/privacy/) · [Disclaimer](https://psychologyforeveryone.com/disclaimer/)