Analysis of Stress: Causes, Impacts, and Psychological Implications

This essay examines the multifaceted causes and detrimental impacts of stress on human beings. It delves into various stressors, including job-related pressures, social interactions, and physical injuries, highlighting their effects on mental and physical health. The essay explores the physiological changes induced by stress, such as the release of stress hormones, and their impact on the respiratory and immune systems. Furthermore, it discusses the negative consequences of chronic stress on the nervous system, potentially leading to difficulties in concentration, impaired decision-making, and even stroke and depression. The essay underscores the importance of understanding and managing stress to mitigate its adverse effects on overall well-being.

Student 1
Student
Professor’s Name
Unit Code and Title
October 6, 2019
Causes of stress and their impacts
In simple terms, stress refers to the usual mental and physical response to life
experiences. A stressor is anything that causes stress. There are various causes of stress which
range from social, political and economic lives of human beings. First, stress can be caused by
our jobs especially when there is pressure to perform or when one is unsatisfied by his workplace
(Herman 419-420). Losing a job or experiencing poor productivity in the workplace can also
cause stress. Research shows that 40% of American workers have job-related stress (Herman
419-420). Secondly stresses can arise from our social lives especially when we lose our loved
ones; when our loved ones are sick or get harmed; when our friends reject us; when get
heartbroken; and/or when we experience traumatic incidences such as rape, theft, disaster or any
form of violence against a loved one (Herman 419-420). Thirdly, stress can also arise when we
get physically injured. Sometimes we can get stressed when we face an accident and we get
injured severely. We can also get stressed when we are trolled about our bodies, shapes, and
sizes. It is common for some obese people to get stressed as the world in general like making fun
of them. Stress can also come from inside us especially when we are uncertain and fearful, when
we have negative perceptions and attitudes, and when we have unrealistic expectations. It is
worth noting that stress can be induced by anything that affects our lives (Herman 419-420).

Student 2
Stresses have detrimental impacts on our body and health in general. Several
physiological changes occur in the brain due to the stress response. Various physiological
changes transpire in the human brain because of the stress reply. When a certain situation is
perceived to be stressful, the hypothalamus is activated by the brain. Hypothalamus facilitates an
effective response to stress (Herman, Maroun and Richter-Levin 267-268). The adrenaline,
noradrenalin, and cortisol stress hormones are released, and they help in stress management.
Continued release of stress management hormones can significantly affect almost all body
activities. Stress has noteworthy negative impacts on the respiratory system as they induce harder
and faster breathing. Continued release of cortisol also makes the immune system of humans to
be weaker. Stress also causes the body muscles to tense hence leading to aches and pain.
Moreover, stress affects the emotions of a person leading to mood swings in case one has no
effective techniques for managing stress (Herman, Maroun and Richter-Levin 267-268).
Stress also has a significant negative impact on the mental health of a person. Studies
focusing on stress indicate that stress significantly tampers with the operations and the structure
of the nervous system. Stress hormones have the potential of reducing the functioning of neurons
in the hippocampus and frontal lobes (Herman, Maroun and Richter-Levin 267-268). In case the
neurons in the frontal lobe and hippocampus are affected, a person has the possibility of
experiencing difficulties in concentrating, getting confused, impaired decision-making and
problems when it comes to learning and memory. Chronic stresses are known to cause stroke
which stimulates death. Furthermore, chronic stresses are also known to induce depression which
can lead to severe mental damage or even suicide. Stresses also reduce the size of the brain as
they hinder the growth of the gray matter. Continued stressful experiences can lead to high blood
pressure and heart diseases which have no cure (Herman, Maroun and Richter-Levin 267-268).

Student 3
Work Cited
Herman, James P. "New Perspectives In Stress Research: 2016 Neurobiology Of Stress
Workshop." Stress 20.5 (2017): 419-420. Web.
Herman, James P., Mouna Maroun, and Gal Richter-Levin. "Good Stress, Bad Stress And Very
Bad Stress." Stress 18.3 (2018): 267-268. Web.