stress

In psychology, any event or situation that makes heightened demands on a person's mental or emotional resources. Stress can be caused by overwork, anxiety about exams, money, job security, unemployment, bereavement, poor relationships, marriage breakdown, sexual difficulties, poor living or working conditions, and constant exposure to loud noise.

Many changes that are apparently ‘for the better’, such as being promoted at work, going to a new school, moving to a new house, and getting married, are also a source of stress. Stress can cause, or aggravate, physical illnesses, among them psoriasis, eczema, asthma, and stomach and mouth ulcers. Apart from removing the source of stress, acquiring some control over it and learning to relax when possible are the best responses.

Occupational stress is a major cause of absenteeism at work and of poor working performance. In 1997, occupational stress was recognized by the British government as a health and safety issue.

It was reported in March 1999 by the University of Kentucky College of Medicine in Lexington, Kentucky, USA, that pregnant women with stress might pass this along to their fetuses' nervous systems.