What is a common psychological effect of chronic stress?

Chronic stress can lead to various significant psychological effects, with anxiety and depression being among the most common. When a person is exposed to stress over an extended period, it can overwhelm their ability to cope, leading to feelings of persistent worry, sadness, and helplessness. Anxiety may manifest as excessive worry or nervousness about daily tasks and future events, while depression can result in a lack of interest in activities once found enjoyable, feelings of worthlessness, or difficulty concentrating. The body's ongoing stress response can disrupt normal mood regulation, leading to these mental health challenges.

In contrast, other options present effects that are less commonly associated with chronic stress. Increased productivity and heightened motivation may occur in short bursts under acute stress, but chronic stress typically leads to burnout and lack of engagement, not sustained productivity. Chronic fatigue, while related to stress, is more a physical manifestation and not as directly linked to the psychological impact of chronic stress as anxiety and depression are. Thus, anxiety or depression is the most relevant psychological effect experienced by individuals under chronic stress.