Modern life normalises stress to the point where emotional exhaustion is treated as ambition. But medicine draws a clear line between normal stress responses and mental health disorders that require care.

The World Health Organization describes mental health as a state of well-being in which individuals realise their abilities, cope with normal stresses, work productively and contribute to their community. When stress overwhelms these functions, it becomes pathological.

How stress becomes illness

Chronic stress keeps the body in a prolonged fight-or-flight state. Over time, this disrupts sleep, mood regulation, immunity, blood pressure and metabolic health.

Warning signs that stress has crossed the line

• Persistent anxiety or low mood
• Loss of interest or pleasure
• Sleep disruption
• Irritability or emotional numbness
• Physical symptoms with no clear cause

The danger of silence

Untreated mental health conditions increase the risk of substance use, chronic illness, work impairment and suicide. Seeking help is not weakness — it is early intervention.

Bottom line: Stress is part of life. Suffering in silence should not be.