What is a stress reaction?
A person with a stress reaction experiences symptoms of anxiety when exposed to very stressful events. Stress is a factor in your environment that causes your mind or body to be tense. In response to stress, the body rapidly releases chemicals into the bloodstream resulting in increased heart rate, breathing rate, blood pressure, and muscle tension. A stress reaction occurs when a person is unable to cope with an emotional or physical hardship. About 40% of Americans suffer from health problems caused by stress.

What are the symptoms of a stress reaction?
Symptoms of a stress reaction include anxiety, tension, fear, anger, frustration, or depression. Additional symptoms may include tooth grinding, headache, neck pain, indigestion, difficulty sleeping, loss of appetite, dizziness, fatigue, or tremor.

How does the doctor treat a stress reaction?
Treatment for a stress reaction may include avoiding stressful situations, avoiding stimulant medications, relaxation techniques, counseling, and antianxiety medications.

For more information

• Anxiety disorder
• Panic attacks
• Adjustment disorder
• PTSD
• Personality disorder