Chronic Psychological Stress

Physical danger resolves stress hormones through exertion; psychological stress activates the same hormonal cascade without providing physical discharge, so hormones accumulate. Mental stress from sources like financial worry and work deadlines produces the same physiological adrenal signals as physical danger, but without a physical outlet for resolution. Over months and years of unresolved psychological stress, adrenal reserve is depleted in ways that gradually affect every system the adrenals serve.