Today we live in a society where information is so explosive, relationships are so alienated, competition is so fierce, and the pace is so fast. Who can be completely free of stress? Although not all emotional illnesses are caused by stress, there is no doubt that continuous and unmanageable stress often induces emotional illnesses. If stress can be effectively managed, the onset and recurrence of emotional illness can be prevented to a certain extent.

Trio of Stress Disorders

  • Continuous and unmanageable stress may induce emotional illness

  • People who have not encountered objectively stressful events can also suffer from emotional illness

  • People who suffer from symptoms of emotional illness will subjectively feel that they cannot cope with ordinary external pressure

Am I stressed or suffering from an emotional illness?

In fact, stress reactions are very similar to symptoms of emotional illness. So how should we distinguish whether it is a stress reaction or whether we are suffering from an emotional illness? To put it simply, please pay attention to three aspects:

  • Persistence of symptoms

    Generally speaking, stress reactions last for a short period of time, usually no more than four weeks. If the symptoms have lasted for four weeks or more, you should pay more attention.

  • Trouble caused by symptoms

    If you have used effective stress reduction methods but your symptoms still persist and make you feel troubled, this may be a symptom of a mood disorder.

  • Severely affects important areas in daily life

    Such as work/school, social interaction, family relationships, or ability to handle housework, etc.


In other words, if symptoms persist for more than four weeks and cause distress or affect your life, you may be suffering from a mood disorder. Please seek professional advice as soon as possible to see if you need appropriate treatment. The sooner you seek help, the less negative impact you will have on yourself and those around you, and the higher your chance of recovery.