Which term denotes prolonged, unrelieved stress, also called cumulative stress?

Which term denotes prolonged, unrelieved stress, also called cumulative stress?

• A. Chronic Stress
• B. Acute stress
• C. Eustress
• D. Distress

Answer: (A)

Long-term, unrelieved stress is called chronic stress. It describes a situation where stress persists over time and the body’s stress response stays activated for extended periods, leading to cumulative wear on systems like the nervous, immune, and cardiovascular systems. This is different from acute stress, which is brief and tied to a specific event and usually resolves once the event ends. Eustress is the positive, motivating kind of stress that can enhance performance, while distress refers to negative stress that can be either short- or long-lasting but doesn’t specifically define the ongoing, cumulative type described here. The idea of cumulative stress emphasizes how ongoing demands add up, sustaining higher levels of stress hormones and arousal and increasing risk for health problems over time.

Long-term, unrelieved stress is called chronic stress. It describes a situation where stress persists over time and the body’s stress response stays activated for extended periods, leading to cumulative wear on systems like the nervous, immune, and cardiovascular systems. This is different from acute stress, which is brief and tied to a specific event and usually resolves once the event ends. Eustress is the positive, motivating kind of stress that can enhance performance, while distress refers to negative stress that can be either short- or long-lasting but doesn’t specifically define the ongoing, cumulative type described here. The idea of cumulative stress emphasizes how ongoing demands add up, sustaining higher levels of stress hormones and arousal and increasing risk for health problems over time.