What is the Origin of Chronic Stress Pathology?

This clinical term combines "chronic," denoting long duration, "stress," referring to the body's non-specific response to any demand, and "pathology," the scientific study of disease. The concept is deeply rooted in the work of Hans Selye, who described the General Adaptation Syndrome, establishing the framework for understanding the detrimental long-term effects of unremitting stressors. It bridges endocrinology, psychology, and general medicine to describe the systemic breakdown from continuous pressure.

What is the Mechanism of Chronic Stress Pathology?

Sustained psychological or physiological stress continuously drives the HPA axis, leading to chronic overproduction of glucocorticoids, primarily cortisol. This hypercortisolemia eventually causes negative feedback resistance at the hypothalamus and pituitary, leading to dysregulation and potential HPA axis blunting over time. Concurrently, chronic sympathetic nervous system activation contributes to elevated catecholamines, which together with cortisol dysregulation, impair thyroid function, suppress reproductive hormones, and promote systemic inflammation and insulin resistance.

Chronic Stress Pathology

Meaning

The cumulative adverse physiological and psychological changes that result from prolonged or repeated activation of the body’s stress response systems, extending beyond the acute phase. This persistent allostatic load leads to maladaptive changes in the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, sympathetic nervous system, and immune function. Clinically, it manifests as a spectrum of health issues, including metabolic dysfunction, immune suppression, and hormonal imbalances. This condition represents a state of sustained physiological exhaustion and dysregulation.