A depressive syndrome which can affect any system of the body. It is characterized by fatigue, boredom, increasing irritability, inability to concentrate, and changes in appetite and sleep patterns. There is often abdominal bloating and eructation, with symptoms of hyperventilation expressed as light-headedness, syncope, paresthesias of the extremities and tachycardia.
Anxiety is a stress condition.
Physiologically, the body reacts to every variety of stress in the same way. The pituitary gland reacts first, producing ACTH and somatotropin which immediately stimulates the adrenals to produce cortisone. This activates the body's alarm mechanism and mobilizes the forces of resistance to meet the emergency. Protein is mobilized and broken down to form sugar, the blood sugar soars, fat is mobilized from storage depots, blood pressure increases, minerals are drawn from the bones,and an abnormal amount of salt is retained. This pattern of reaction varies in intensity according to the degree of stress.