Stressiperäinen

Stressiperäinen is a Finnish term used to describe health effects or conditions that originate from stress or are primarily driven by stress, rather than by a discrete organic disease. The concept is commonly employed in medical, psychological, and occupational health contexts to capture how psychological and social pressures can produce or worsen physical and mental symptoms.

Mechanisms underlying stressiperäinen phenomena involve both the nervous system and the immune system. Chronic or repeated stress can activate the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical (HPA) axis and the sympathetic nervous system, leading to hormonal changes, heightened arousal, altered pain perception, sleep disruption, and behavioral changes such as reduced physical activity or poor nutrition. These responses can contribute to a range of symptoms and functional impairments, even when no clear structural pathology is found.

Common manifestations described as stressiperäisiä include tension-type headaches, non-specific musculoskeletal pain, sleep problems, fatigue, and functional gastrointestinal disorders. Mood-related and anxiety symptoms frequently co-occur, and stress can exacerbate existing chronic conditions by increasing symptom burden or reducing coping capacity. The term emphasizes the role of psychosocial factors and stress management in the clinical picture.

Diagnosis of a stressiperäinen condition rests on clinical evaluation and the exclusion of identifiable organic diseases. Assessment may include patient history, assessment of stress and coping, and, when needed, validated questionnaires.

Treatment focuses on addressing stress and its effects through a multidisciplinary approach. Effective strategies include cognitive-behavioral therapy, mindfulness and stress management programs, regular physical activity, sleep hygiene, social support, and optimization of treatment for coexisting conditions such as anxiety, depression, or chronic pain.