What are the effects of psychological stress on health?

Anger and Control: The effects depend on whether the stress causes irritability (easy anger and frustration) and whether the person feels that they have some control over the stressful situation. If there is no irritability and the person feels in reasonable control, perhaps not much. Otherwise there might be long term effects on mood, anxiety, memory, and even cardiac risk factors.

Stress & the body: Stress prepares for action by activating the autonomic nervous system & numerous hormones. Stress can cause muscle tension, cold hands & feet, increased heart rate, rapid & shallow breathing, stomach upset, headaches, dry mouth, increased sweating, mind racing, & insomnia. Chronic stress decreases immune functions & contributes to numerous illnesses.