Which type of stress is long-lasting and persistent?

• A. Chronic
• B. Acute
• C. Episodic Acute Stress
• D. Post-Traumatic Stress

Answer: (A)

Long-lasting, persistent stress is described as chronic stress. It lasts for weeks, months, or even years, often arising from ongoing demands that aren’t quickly resolved—such as sustained job pressure, ongoing caregiving duties, or chronic financial worries. This contrasts with acute stress, which is a sharp, short-term response to a specific threat or challenge and resolves once the situation passes. Episodic acute stress refers to frequent episodes of this sharp stress, occurring in bursts rather than as a single long-term state. Post-traumatic stress is a specific mental health condition that can follow a severe traumatic event and involves a distinct set of symptoms; while it can be persistent, it’s categorized as a disorder rather than the general experience of ongoing stress. So for the description “long-lasting and persistent,” chronic stress is the best fit.