Stress Facts and Statistics

People think they know about stress and its hazards, but without understanding the statistics and facts about stress, a person cannot fully grasp its effects.

At times, stress is a helpful tool capable of boosting energy and attention. Most of the time, though, stress is a negative force in a person’s life that triggers a host of unwanted effects.

Stress is a nearly universal human experience, so every person can benefit from learning about the condition. By understanding just how widespread and harmful stress is, a person can begin to take action against its effects.

How Common Is Stress?

Regardless of age, sex, ethnicity and religion, no one is immune to the burdens of stress. Alarming statistics about stress demonstrate the widespread prevalence of this state of mind.

American Institute of Stress Statistics

According to The American Institute of Stress:

• About 33 percent of people report feeling extreme stress
• 77 percent of people experience stress that affects their physical health
• 73 percent of people have stress that impacts their mental health
• 48 percent of people have trouble sleeping because of stress

Unfortunately, for about half of all Americans, levels of stress are getting worse instead of better.

Global Organization for Stress Statistics

The Global Organization for Stress reports that:

• 75 percent of Americans experienced moderate to high stress levels in the past month
• Stress is the number one health concern of high school students
• 80 percent of people feel stress at work

Other Demographic Facts About Stress

People who tend to experience particularly high rates of stress include:

• Ethnic minorities
• Women
• Single parents
• People responsible for their family’s health care decisions

Worldwide Impact of Stress

While stress is a significant problem in the U.S., the rest of the world is not immune to its harmful effects. Stress is a global problem, with other developed countries reporting the following facts about stress:

• 91 percent of Australians feeling stressed about one or more important parts of their life
• About 450,000 workers in Britain believing their stress was making them ill
• 86 percent of Chinese workers reporting stress

Prevalence of Stress Disorders

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and acute stress disorder are stress disorders triggered by traumatic experiences. Currently, 3.5 percent of adults in the U.S. have PTSD during a given year. Acute stress disorder affects as many as half of all people exposed to a serious or life-threatening stressor.

Top Causes of Stress

Depending on a person’s thinking patterns and coping skills, almost anything can cause stress. Some of the most frequently cited sources of stress include:

• Money
• Work
• The economy
• Family responsibilities
• Relationships
• Personal health issues
• Housing costs
• Job stability
• Family health problems
• Personal safety

Common Symptoms of Stress

Once a source triggers stress, various symptoms emerge unless the person uses effective coping skills to manage the problem. The most common symptoms of stress and the percentage of people who experienced them include:

• Irritability and anger: 45 percent of people
• Fatigue or low energy: 41 percent
• Lack of motivation or interest in things: 38 percent
• Anxiety, nervousness or worry: 36 percent
• Headaches: 36 percent
• Feeling sad or depressed: 34 percent
• Indigestion, acid reflux or upset stomach: 26 percent
• Muscle tension: 23 percent
• Appetite changes: 21 percent

People may also experience:

• Sexual problems
• Weight changes
• Diarrhea or constipation
• Forgetfulness and lack of attention

Cost and Impact of Stress

Every day, people stay home from work, miss school, go to the doctor or even die because of the effects of stress. It’s estimated that American employers spend $300 billion every year on health care and lost work days linked to stress. Up to 80 percent of workplace accidents come from stress or stress-related problems, like being too distracted or tired.

Stress is a costly issue in other areas of the world, too. People in the United Kingdom (UK) miss 13.7 million days of work due to stress each year. The problem costs $14.2 billion in Australia and about $37 billion in the UK in lost productivity each year.

Stress and Co-Occurring Health Conditions

Stress affects the entire body and is linked to many co-occurring mental and physical health problems, like:

• Heart disease
• High blood pressure
• Diabetes
• Depression
• Anxiety

Long-term stress is often a contributing factor in many of the leading causes of death in the United States, including heart disease, cancer, lung disease, accidents, cirrhosis of the liver and suicide.

High stress levels can often also lead to substance use. When stress is high and a person is desperate to relax, they may turn to alcohol and other drugs. Paradoxically, drugs and alcohol often increase stress in the long run, especially if an individual develops addiction or dependence.

Stress Prognosis and Outlook

The stress prognosis is based on factors like the source, intensity and duration of stress. It may also be affected by an individual’s available coping skills and social support systems. When stress is high and available coping skills are low, the effects of stress are more likely, which can shorten someone’s lifespan.

Diagnosing Stress Disorders

If someone suspects they have a stress-related disorder, they should schedule an evaluation with a medical professional immediately. For physical health symptoms, consider heading to a primary care physician. A mental health expert can address the psychological symptoms of stress.

Medical professionals can perform a series of tests and assessments to understand and identify the problem. Not only can they accurately diagnosis the disorder, but they can also prescribe helpful treatments to reduce symptoms.

Statistics on Stress Treatment

Stress treatment can add a tremendous amount of coping skills and supports to a person in a stressful environment. The best success will occur when treatment targets the source of stress directly, rather than the side effects of stress.

For example, if someone has high blood pressure, taking a blood pressure medication will help, but it will not resolve the source of the symptom: stress. The most successful treatments work to reduce stress and improve a person’s reaction to stress.

Most treatments for stress reduction focus on:

• Identifying the signs of stress
• Getting plenty of sleep and exercise
• Practicing relaxation skills
• Setting goals and establishing priorities
• Spending time with people you love

Treatments for stress can be extremely effective when started early and continued with consistency. If you live with both stress and addiction, help is available. Call The Recovery Village to speak to a representative about the damaging effects of substance abuse and stress in your life and explore your treatment options.

Related Topic: Finding Support for Stress & Substance Abuse through Teletherapy

Looking for some healthy ways to reduce stress in your life? The Nobu app can help. It is free and for anyone that is looking to reduce anxiety, work through depression, build self-esteem, get aftercare following treatment, attend teletherapy sessions and so much more. Download the Nobu app today!

By – Eric Patterson, LPC

Eric Patterson is a licensed professional counselor in the Pittsburgh area who is dedicated to helping children, adults, and families meet their treatment goals. Read more

Editor – Megan Hull

Megan Hull is a content specialist who edits, writes and ideates content to help people find recovery. Read more

Medically Reviewed By – Nanci Stockwell, LCSW, MBA

A dynamic leader and award-winning business strategist, Nanci Stockwell brings years of industry experience in behavioral health care to her role at Advanced Recovery Systems. Read more