Most people feel stress at one time or another, especially during the busy holiday season.
How do you know if what you’re feeling is normal, healthy stress or damaging chronic stress?
Your primary care provider can help by understanding how stress is impacting your life and helping you address the root causes and symptoms of your stress.
The holidays are approaching and school is in full swing. For many people, it’s a time of year when stress ramps up.
How do you know if what you’re feeling is a normal short-term response to your busy life or a chronic concern that requires medical attention?
Tomisha Ross, MSN, FNP-BC, is a primary care provider at Regional One Health’s Harbor of Health. She talks to patients about how stress impacts their health so she can help address the symptoms and root causes.
“First, it is important to understand the difference between regular acute stress and long-term chronic stress,” she said.
Acute stress is a natural response to a specific situation in your life, like a big project at work or school. Acute stress might not be fun, but it isn’t unhealthy – it can improve performance and focus in the short-term because it causes your body to adapt to the challenge you’re facing.
Chronic stress is more concerning.
“As your PCP, I can develop a long-term relationship with you so we can work together to make sure stress doesn’t negatively impact your health,” says Tomisha Ross, MSN, FNP-BC.
Chronic stress means you are constantly in “fight or flight” mode and on high alert. This lasts for weeks or months – or longer – and can start to feel “normal” if it goes unaddressed. Common causes include toxic work conditions, relationship problems, financial concerns, and unstable or dangerous living conditions.
“Eventually, chronic stress can contribute to serious health problems like heart disease, high blood pressure, digestive problems, fatigue, anxiety, depression, and a weakened immune system,” Ross said.
If you think you’re experiencing chronic stress, talk to your PCP. Signs that it’s time to seek help include feeling overwhelmed, trouble sleeping, and using alcohol or drugs to cope.
“I start by having an open, non-judgmental conversation about the cause of your stress and how it impacts your life,” Ross said. “For some people, chronic stress is linked to a stressful lifestyle. For others, it’s due to underlying chronic physical or mental health conditions.”
If lifestyle factors are causing stress, Ross talks to patients about healthy habits for time management, sleep, relaxation, and diet and exercise. “I can help you identify which pressures are at the root of your chronic stress so we can focus on improving the most impactful issues,” she said.
If a physical or emotional health condition is to blame, she can help patients keep their condition well-managed through medication and lifestyle changes.
“Many patients are surprised that their PCP can help with mental health issues,” Ross noted. “Just like I can prescribe medications for a diagnosis like diabetes or hypertension, I can do the same for anxiety or depression.”
Chronic stress can contribute to serious health concerns including high blood pressure, heart disease, digestive problems, and more.
In many cases, once a patient feels better and has a plan for managing their chronic condition, their stress level improves. If necessary, Ross provides referrals to mental health professionals and other specialists who can offer more intensive care.
Along with addressing the root of a patient’s stress, she can prescribe medication to help them relieve symptoms like high blood pressure, headaches, insomnia, digestive problems, etc.
“Stress is a very individual issue, so patients should have an individualized plan!” Ross said. “As your PCP, I can develop a long-term relationship with you that helps me understand your pressures, goals, and medical needs so we can work together to make sure stress doesn’t negatively impact your health.”