The Invisible Consequences of War. How Constant Stress Changes Us and What to Do About It
- Anastasia Kolomoiets
- May 11
- 5 min read
Chronic stress is a burden that gradually erodes the body's physical and mental resources.
Recently, research company Gradus Research presented an international study devoted to the emotional state of young people, their sources of stress and attitude to work. The survey covered urban residents aged 25−35 in Ukraine and five leading European economies: the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Italy and the Netherlands.
Medical Forum April 16, 2026 at the event on the topic: METABOLIC DISEASES IN UKRAINE - a multidisciplinary approach at @apartel.kosyno
The goal was to understand how young people in different countries experience the stress of modern life, what causes the most anxiety, and how these factors influence professional and personal decisions. Personally, I am concerned about the data from Ukraine in the results of this study. After all, the results obtained showed that war and the daily challenges associated with it significantly increase the level of stress. Comparative data show a striking contrast. Thus, in the UK, only about a quarter of young people (27%) assess their level of stress as high or very high. In Germany, this figure exceeds half at 52%, and in other European countries it fluctuates between 42−48%.
In Ukraine, the situation is fundamentally different: 91% of respondents report an increased level of stress, with 44% of them describing it as very high. This difference is not a statistical coincidence, but reflects the systemic and long-term impact of the full-scale war on the lives of Ukrainians.
What happens to our body during prolonged stress?
In today's realities, stress has become a "typical Tuesday" for many. Daily news feeds bring new reasons for anxiety, sirens are almost constantly heard in most cities of the country, and what's more, millions of people live to the sounds of explosions and in danger. In such conditions, tension no longer seems extraordinary and is gradually built into everyday life.
Did you know that stress is not just an emotion or a temporary excitement? It is a complex biological reaction that triggers profound changes in the functioning of the entire organism. From the first seconds of danger to a long period of tension, the body is constantly adapting, mobilizing and spending resources. But what exactly happens to the body and why can chronic stress affect not only mood, but also physical health?
At the moment of danger, the body automatically goes into mobilization mode: the heartbeat speeds up, the level of stress hormones increases, attention narrows to the source of the threat. However, when the state of tension does not pass for weeks or months, the system of constant readiness ceases to be a protection and turns into a factor of exhaustion. After all, the nervous system does not have time to recover, the ability to concentrate decreases, sleep worsens and a feeling of constant fatigue appears. Chronic stress is no longer a short-term adaptation, but a load that gradually erodes the internal resources of the body and can become one of the causes of the development of PTSD.
Why can PTSD be a “time bomb”?
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can develop after experiencing or witnessing events that pose a real threat to a person's life or physical integrity. Such events include war and combat, torture, violence, captivity, and large-scale disasters.
The key feature of PTSD is persistent impairments in psychoemotional regulation and everyday functioning that can persist for months or years after the traumatic experience. They significantly affect the main areas of a person's life: work, education, interpersonal relationships. It is also important that PTSD is not diagnosed immediately after the event.
And if by 2022 the structure of diseases in Ukraine was typical for peaceful countries: cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, obesity, oncology, then the full-scale war did not eliminate these challenges, but added a powerful factor of prolonged stress, which, unfortunately, became the new norm of life for millions of people. And this impact today is not limited to combat zones.
What symptoms indicate the development of PTSD?
Disclaimer: The information provided is for informational purposes only and is not intended for self-diagnosis. Diagnosis is the responsibility of a qualified physician.
In reality, PTSD can manifest itself differently in each case. The most common symptoms people experience include:
Intrusive memories of traumatic events — they can appear suddenly, recur in dreams, or be experienced as vivid flashbacks.
A constant internal feeling of threat, even when there is no objective danger.
A state of hypervigilance and increased arousal.
Conscious or unconscious avoidance of everything that reminds you of the trauma: conversations, places, people.
Attacks of intense anxiety with physical manifestations: rapid heartbeat, shallow breathing, nausea, chest pain, and a sharp feeling of fear.
Attempts to "muffle" experiences through alcohol, smoking, or other psychoactive substances.
Difficulties in everyday functioning - at work, in school, or at home.
Tension in relationships, emotional distance from a partner or loved ones.
The emergence of thoughts of hopelessness or suicidal intentions.
Important: the presence of individual symptoms is not a basis for self-diagnosis. If such manifestations persist or worsen, it is worth consulting a specialist.
How can you help yourself or a loved one?
First of all, I want to emphasize that PTSD is diagnosed only by a psychiatrist, because people often seek help from unqualified psychologists or neurologists. And this causes a delay in providing the right help.
The first step in self-help is to admit to yourself that there is a problem.
The second is to get screened for PTSD and seek professional help. It is extremely important to overcome the internal barrier and social stigma associated with the topic of mental health.
And now I will record words that you have heard very often, but it is timely diagnosis and support that create the conditions for post-traumatic growth.
In turn, the most valuable thing you can give a person with PTSD is a safe
presence without judgments or hasty conclusions. Often, with the best of intentions, we say phrases like: “Don’t worry, everything will pass” or “You just have to hang in there.” Sometimes we dramatize: “This is terrible, it’s impossible to live with this.” Both the first and the second can not only hurt, but re-traumatize.
Sometimes a person is so exhausted or disoriented by their own experiences that they simply cannot see the problem. Then your attentiveness and a gentle "I'm here, let's go to a specialist" can make all the difference. Support from loved ones often becomes the bridge that leads to professional help, so be attentive to your people.
Why is this important today not only for medicine, but for the country?
Today, it is not just about individual health, but also about national security and economic stability. People who suffer from undiagnosed or untreated PTSD are more likely to drop out of work, become less productive, and sometimes require long-term social support. This directly affects the workforce, tax revenues, and the pace of economic recovery after war.
Early diagnosis and preventive correction of the psychological and biological effects of stress can reduce long-term costs for health care and social programs. Every person who receives support at an early stage returns to a full life faster - and therefore, the state receives a more stable and effective society.
But there is another, no less important dimension: preventing PTSD is an investment in a happy society. When people are supported, have the resources to recover, and can realize their potential, not only economic productivity increases, but also social trust, mutual respect, and the psychological well-being of communities. A happy society is a resilient society: people are more active, creative, and ready to rebuild the country, raise children, and build the future, even in the difficult post-war period.
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