Learn more about Stress treatment with our specialists at the location nearest you:
Chronic stress is prolonged physical and emotional tension that leads to serious mental and physical health consequences. Lakeside Behavioral Health treats stress through therapy, virtual IOP, and psychiatry at our St. Louis, MO and O’Fallon, IL locations.
What Is Chronic Stress?
Chronic stress occurs when the body’s stress response remains activated over extended periods. Unlike acute stress that resolves after a specific event, chronic stress compounds over time.
Sustained cortisol production affects multiple body systems:
- Immune function: increased susceptibility to illness
- Cardiovascular: elevated blood pressure and heart disease risk
- Digestive: nausea, stomach pain, appetite changes
- Cognitive: impaired concentration, memory, and decision-making
- Sleep: disrupted sleep architecture and insomnia
- Mood: irritability, anxiety, and depression
Signs and Symptoms of Chronic Stress
Recognize chronic stress through these indicators:
- Persistent tension, irritability, and feeling overwhelmed
- Difficulty sleeping or concentrating
- Fatigue that does not improve with rest
- Headaches, muscle tension, jaw clenching
- Digestive problems and appetite changes
- Elevated heart rate and blood pressure
- Withdrawal from social activities
- Increased reliance on alcohol, food, or screens to cope
- Inability to enjoy leisure time or disconnect from responsibilities
What Causes Chronic Stress?
Common sources:
- Excessive workload and unrealistic expectations
- Financial instability or debt
- Relationship conflict or caregiving responsibilities
- Managing chronic illness
- Major life transitions (divorce, relocation, career change)
Individual amplifiers:
- Perfectionism and difficulty delegating
- People-pleasing and poor boundary-setting
- Prioritizing others’ needs over your own
- Lack of a recovery routine or stress management practice
Treatment for Chronic Stress at Lakeside
Lakeside treats chronic stress before it progresses to burnout, anxiety, or depression:
- Individual Therapy: CBT challenges thought patterns that intensify stress. DBT builds mindfulness, emotion regulation, and boundary-setting skills. Behavioral strategies address time management and values alignment.
- Virtual IOP: structured group therapy 3 days per week for patients needing more support than weekly sessions.
- Outpatient Psychiatry: medication management when stress has progressed to clinical anxiety or depression.
Stress leave documentation (FMLA, short-term disability) is available when clinically indicated.
When to Seek Help
Seek help when:
- Stress is persistent and not improving despite your efforts
- Sleep, relationships, physical health, or work are affected
- You cannot recover even during weekends or vacations
- Unhealthy coping mechanisms have developed
- You suspect stress is progressing toward burnout or clinical anxiety
Early intervention prevents more serious conditions. Call 314-916-3027.
Take the Next Step
Reach out and our team will walk you through evaluation, scheduling, and insurance verification. In-person care is available in St. Louis and O'Fallon. Virtual therapy and IOP extend throughout Missouri and Illinois.
- CARF Accredited
- Most major insurance accepted
- In-person and virtual appointments
- Adult psychiatry, therapy, IOP, and TMS