Effects of Stress on Psychological Functioning and Health

Effects of Stress

Emotional Effects

• Experience mood swings.
• Show erratic behaviors that may alienate them from family and friends.
• Vicious circle of decreasing confidence leading to more serious emotional problems.
• Feelings of anxiety and depression.
• Increased physical tension.
• Increased psychological tension.

Physiological Effects

• Increase in production of certain hormones (adrenaline and cortisol)
• Changes in the following due to increase in production of adrenaline and cortisol:

1. Heart rate
2. Blood pressure levels
3. Metabolism
4. Physical activity

• Extremely damaging to the body in the long-term effects.
• Release of epinephrine and norepinephrine
• Slowing down of the digestive system
• Expansion of air passages in the lungs
• Increased heart rate
• Constriction of blood vessels

Cognitive Effects

• Mental overload
• Lose the ability to make sound decisions
• Faulty decisions made at home, workplace or in career may lead to arguments, failure, financial loss or even loss of job.
• Poor concentration
• Reduced short-term memory capacity.

Behavioral Effects

• Eating less nutritional food.
• Increasing intake of stimulants (caffeine, excessive consumption of cigarettes, alcohol and other drugs such as tranquillisers etc.)
• Tranquillisers can be addictive and have side effects such as:

1. Loss of concentration
2. Poor coordination
3. Dizziness

• Disrupted sleep patterns
• Increased absenteeism
• Reduced work performance