When there's a disaster, it's helpful to know what's going on ' and know whether you're truly at risk. But as essential as emergency alert systems are, they can leave many of us feeling anxious ' even when the alert may be a false alarm or test. But over time, the stress associated with being on constant alert can have lasting effects on mental health. Chronic stress can contribute to the risk of developing anxiety disorders and depression, and even physical disorders such as heart disease. This is especially true for people who live in war-torn or natural disaster-prone areas. In people who already have anxiety, being unable to distinguish between real and perceived threats can be particularly debilitating. This can amplify their distress, making it difficult to navigate a world filled with both real and perceived threats. Similarly, neurological conditions such as migraines, Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease can be exacerbated by chronic stress responses. This can lead...
learn more
