What can prolonged or excessive stress lead to?

Prolonged or excessive stress can lead to PTSD (Posttraumatic Stress Disorder), which is a mental health condition that occurs after experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event. When someone is exposed to persistent stress, their body remains in a heightened state of arousal, which can affect their mental health over time. This state of chronic stress can manifest symptoms such as flashbacks, severe anxiety, nightmares, and uncontrollable thoughts about the traumatic event.

Understanding the link between excessive stress and PTSD is crucial, particularly in fields like emergency medical services, where professionals may frequently encounter traumatic situations. Such awareness helps in implementing effective coping strategies and mental health interventions that can mitigate the impact of stress.

The alternative choices, while they may describe positive outcomes of stress in moderate amounts or within certain contexts, do not accurately address the consequences of prolonged or excessive stress. Therefore, they do not represent the potential risks associated with being under constant stress.