by APA Practice Directorate

WASHINGTON June 22, 2006 ?Nearly half of Americans say they experience some level of stress, but they might be surprised by how much stress affects nearly every part of the body. Now, people can see just what stress can do to the body with a new interactive anatomical figure launched by the American Psychological Association (APA) that demonstrates the effects of stress on specific body systems.



The interactive tool, found in APA?s Help Center at www.apahelpcenter.org, features an animated cross section of the human body with hot buttons linking to detailed information about physical reactions to stress. Descriptions of these physical effects are categorized by body system and gender, addressing physical symptoms triggered by stress in the nervous, endocrine, respiratory, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, musculoskeletal, and reproductive systems for both men and women. The anatomical figure is part of APA?s public education campaign on Mind/Body Health.



?Stress can affect every body system in both positive and negative ways,? says Russ Newman, PhD, JD, executive director for professional practice at APA. ?In order to effectively manage stress, it?s important to understand how the mind and body respond to stress. This interactive feature is designed to help educate people on what can happen both physically and mentally if stress is not properly managed.?



According to a 2006 APA survey, people experiencing stress are more likely to report health conditions such as hypertension, anxiety or depression and obesity. For more information on tips to help manage stress, visit www.apahelpcenter.org.

The American Psychological Association (APA), in Washington, DC, is the largest scientific and professional organization representing psychology in the United States and is the world?s largest association of psychologists. APA?s membership includes more than 150,000 researchers, educators, clinicians, consultants and students. Through its divisions in 54 subfields of psychology and affiliations with 60 state, territorial and Canadian provincial associations, APA works to advance psychology as a science, as a profession and as a means of promoting human welfare.

July 19, 2006 - article at: http://apahelpcenter.mediaroom.com/index.php?s=press_releases&item=30