Psychological stress is a fairly new concept. People might say, ‘Oh, come on you lightweight, we can deal with stress, bring it on.’ It isn’t the stress that makes you sick or even your risk of being sick. Stress increases your risk of getting diseases that make you sick, or if you’re already sick and you add stress, you can kiss farewell to your natural defences. The fact we can’t switch off our alarm is what makes us vulnerable. So here’s my point: stress-related diseases are disorders of excessive stress responses. (Take it or leave it).
