Anxiety and physical illness.
The subjective experience of anxiety frequently signals a person's unfulfilled attempts to manage recent environmental or internal challenges. The consequences of stress-related anxiety can be found in most of the body systems: cardiovascular disorders, gastrointestinal ailments, problems with the reproductive system, dermatologic disorders, and autoimmune disturbances--all have been shown to be greatly influenced by anxiety. In addition, studies of hostages and prisoners of war indicate that a person's reactions to extreme stress are predictive of his or her future physical and mental health. Thus, extreme stress-related anxiety must be identified and treated early to protect the patient from a lifetime of chronic illness.
Rahe
R H
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Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, University of Nevada School of Medicine, Reno 89557-0046.
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000150:complications* / Q000209:etiology; D004194:Disease / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D008016:Life Change Events; D008960:Models, Psychological; D011329:Prisoners / Q000523:psychology; D011336:Probability