Humans are known to develop stress responses to protect themselves from danger. Although it is often associated with negative consequences, stress can be beneficial in certain situations. It can help you overcome whatever challenges you are facing.
However, there is a limit. Too much stress isn’t good for one’s physical or mental health. Chronic stress can affect a person’s cognitive functioning. It can prevent the brain from properly allocating resources to deal with stressful situations.
Forgetfulness
A 2017 study shows stress can affect a person’s cognitive functioning. It can make them more forgetful and misremember certain things. This could be because the brain uses its energy to perform other tasks, which leads to people making careless mistakes.
Concentration Issues
Individuals who are under a lot of stress tend to have a hard time focusing and concentrating. They might find it hard to pay attention to the situation that’s causing them stress while also having difficulty dealing with other issues.
You might wander away from important conversations or meetings if you’re constantly stressed. This could affect your focus and prevent you from working properly at home or work.
Poor Judgement
Even if you generally have sound judgment, stress can still cause you to make poor decisions. This could be because the effects of stress on your cognitive functioning prevent you from properly thinking about the situation. A study by researchers revealed that people under stress were more likely to make errors when it came to their professional judgments.
Personality Changes
A person’s personality is a set of consistent patterns of behavior, thoughts, and emotions used to describe their characteristics. It’s believed that their traits are influenced by their environment and inherited genetic components.
People who are under stress develop a variety of personality changes due to their stress hormones. The environment can trigger these changes they’re in, which are often related to their stress levels.
Anxiety Disorders
Individuals suffering from anxiety disorders might develop dread or anxiety feelings that last for an extended period of time. These feelings can trigger an urge to avoid certain situations. People with anxiety disorders might also find it hard to cope with everyday situations.
One of the most common mental disorders people are diagnosed with today is anxiety. There are various anxiety disorders, such as generalized anxiety disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder.