Stress

Any interference that disturbs a person’s mental and physical well-being. Stress may be experienced in response to a range of physical and emotional stimuli. When faced with stressful situations, the body responds by increasing production of the hormones adrenaline (epinephrine) and cortisol, which produce changes in heart-rate, blood pressure, and metabolism to improve performance. However, at a certain level, they disrupt a person’s ability to cope. Continued exposure to stress often leads to mental and physical symptoms, such as anxiety and depression, indigestion, palpitations, and muscular aches and pains. Post-traumatic stress disorder is a direct response to a specific stressful event. (See also relaxation techniques.)