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    For over 10 years, teens have been asking us questions on every topic imaginable. While we are no longer taking new questions, we have a wealth of information we would like to share with teenagers.

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    Navigate: FAQ Home Page > Emotional Issues > What is the worst thing that stress did to someone?
    Posted on: 05/18/2004

    Question

    What is the worst thing that stress did to someone?

    Submitted on 05/04/04 at 08:55:23


    Answer

    Interesting question. One can think about stress in two ways; acute and chronic. In acute stress, like an airplane accident, suddenly in a war or bombing or something like that some people can lose awareness of who they are and what they are doing. The stress can make small but significant permanent changes in their brains and how their lives function. This is called PTSD or Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Some people developed this in NY after 9-11.

    Chronic stress can come from many sources; living in a tough neighborhood, a dysfunctional family or job or just because they way you are made you are prone to stress. This can lead to fears, anxiety and even depression. It also contributes to physical ailments such as headaches, stomach pain, fatigue and even less resistance to colds and infections.

    We all can benefit from developing a habit of stepping back and looking at our stress level and striving for a balance of relaxation and enough stress to keep us self disciplined. Hope this helps!


    Answered By:
    Barbara Boyer , D.O.


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