The stress response is an automatic physiological reaction to an event or situation that is perceived as frightening, or overwhelmingly challenging. The response in action is a surge of energy carrying multiple messages across the mind and body informing it to prepare for action. There can be any number of reasons why our stress levels rise: 

• Situations or events that are too difficult to cope with like those that induce trauma or crisis. 

• Physical and mental illness, depression, grief and bereavement, divorce and loss. 

• Life cycles, PMS, pregnancy, giving birth, the menopause. 

• New and difficult experiences never dealt with before. 

• Adapting to challenging situations inappropriately. 

• Being overwhelmed with daily routine, burnout. 

• Struggling with internal conflicts.

Primarily, there are three different types of stimuli we experience:

Present Stress: Stress that is the result of immediate and present stressors. Situations and events that are presently causing distress on some level.

Future Stress: Stress that is the result of phobic anxieties, fears, phobia, inferiority, lack of confidence. These involve negative future forecasts about one’s self and ability to cope with stress.

Past Stress: Stress that is traumatic anxiety, the result of unpleasant memories, experiences, events, or people that have caused distress in the past.

In all cases, intense stress involves the emotions overriding willpower, the rational mind, memory, and imagination. In some cases, the reason behind stress is lost in the overwhelming symptoms, especially if it is long term stress.

Stress & Depression

When we are repeatedly having to adapt to a stressful event, whether it is internal or external, our emotional brain finds it difficult to switch off:

You may feel your moods go up and down, stressed and anxious one day and exhausted or depressed the next. You may feel trapped in a vicious cycle or at the mercy of your emotional and physical reactions.

Some ways that chronic or long-term stress affects women include:

• Body Pain.

• Skin problems.

• Headaches.

• Upset stomach.

• Feelings of helplessness.

• Forgetfulness.

• Lack of energy and focus.

• Procrastination.

• Overeating or not eating enough.

• Loss of interest in things once enjoyed.

• Less interest in sex than usual.

• Trouble sleeping.

• Nervousness. Restlessness.

• Irrational Fears.

• Tension & Anxiety.

• Being easily angered. Aggression.

• Apprehension.

• Lack of Concentration.

• Low Self Worth.

• Feelings of Rejection.

• Listlessness.

• Over Alert.

• Depressed.

• Tired and Exhausted.

• Flooded with Memories and Emotions.

• Traumatised.

• Panic Attacks.

Women & Stress

Women are more likely to have symptoms of depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, panic disorder, and obsessive-compulsive disorder. Research suggests that women may feel the symptoms of stress more or get more of the symptoms of stress, including:

• Heart problems: Very high stress levels that raise blood pressure and heart rate.

• Upset stomach: Short-term stress can cause stomach issues such as diarrhoea or vomiting. Long-term stress can lead to irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Stress can make IBS symptoms such as gas and bloating worse.

• Obesity: Stress increases the amount of a hormone in the body called cortisol, which can lead to overeating and cause the body to store more fat.

• Problems getting pregnant: Women with higher levels of stress are more likely to have problems getting pregnant than women with lower levels of stress.

• Menstrual cycle problems: Women who experience chronic or long-term stress may have more severe premenstrual syndrome symptoms or irregular periods. Some studies link past abuse or trauma to more severe PMS.

• Decreased sex drive: Women with long-term stress may take longer to get aroused and may have less sex drive than women with lower levels of stress.

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder associated with violent or sexual acts can be especially damaging with the woman being profoundly sensitive to memories and the emotions they trigger. PTSD reflects the repetition of the fight or flee response being initiated even in normal circumstances, with an overriding sense of impending danger and one’s inability to safeguard against further acts.