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Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and is not intended for diagnostic use. LifeDNA does not provide diagnostic reports on any traits discussed. Genetics is just one piece of the puzzle; please consult a healthcare professional for comprehensive guidance on any health condition.
Some people seem to handle life’s ups and downs without much trouble, while others feel overwhelmed by even small challenges. This difference in how people react to stress is called stress sensitivity. It’s the reason why certain individuals experience stronger emotional or physical reactions when facing pressure, change, or adversity. Stress sensitivity isn’t random, it’s shaped by a combination of genetics, life experiences, and daily habits.
Understanding what makes someone more sensitive to stress is important because it may affect both mental and physical health. By recognizing the factors behind the sensitivity of stress, people can take steps to better manage their stress, improve their well-being, and prevent long-term health issues.
Sensitivity to stress refers to how strongly a person’s body and mind respond to stressors. While everyone experiences stress, people with high stress sensitivity may have heightened emotional reactions, feel physically drained, or struggle to bounce back after stressful events. Their nervous system may be more reactive, making everyday stressors feel intense and exhausting. This is different from typical experience of stress, which is usually manageable and temporary.
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A person’s environment and life experiences may also increase stress sensitivity. Early childhood experiences, such as trauma, neglect, or living in a high-stress household, can shape how the brain and body respond to stress later in life. Chronic exposure to stressful situations whether at work, school, or in relationships may keep the body’s stress response system in overdrive. Over time, this constant activation can make it harder to cope with new stressors.
Lifestyle choices like diet, sleep, exercise, and social support also influence how sensitive someone is to stress. For example, poor sleep, lack of physical activity, or unhealthy eating habits can reduce stress resilience. Additionally, epigenetic changes, which are chemical modifications that affect how genes work without altering the DNA sequence itself may increase stress sensitivity. These changes may occur due to long-term stress, trauma, or even diet and may be passed down to future generations.
Our ability to handle stress isn’t just shaped by our environment, it’s also influenced by our genes. Some people are naturally more sensitive to stress because of certain genetic variations that affect how the brain and body respond to challenging situations. These genes may influence how the stress hormone cortisol is regulated, how emotions are processed, and even how resilient a person feels in stressful times.
Two important genes linked to stress are FKBP5 and COMT according to a 2020 study. These genes affect how the brain and body manage stress, emotions, and recovery after stressful events.
The FKBP5 gene may play a role in regulating the body’s stress hormone, cortisol. Certain versions of FKBP5 can cause the body to struggle with calming down after a stressful situation, leading to a stronger or longer-lasting stress response. Similarly, the COMT gene, which is involved in breaking down the brain chemical dopamine, can also influence stress sensitivity. A common variation in COMT, known as Val158Met, affects how efficiently dopamine is cleared from the brain. People with this variation may feel more emotionally reactive or struggle with stress regulation, especially if they experienced childhood stress or trauma.
These genetic differences don’t guarantee someone will have stress-related health issues. Instead, they interact with life experiences. For example, a person with these gene variants who faced early life adversity may be more likely to develop anxiety, depression, or impulsive behaviors. On the other hand, a supportive environment can help reduce the impact of these genetic risks.
A very recent study shows that a specific gene change in the CD38 gene may affect how people react emotionally to stressful situations. This research, published in Scientific Reports, looked at a small change (SNP) in the CD38 gene called rs3796863. This change can influence how sensitive a person is to emotional stress.
The CD38 gene helps control the release of oxytocin, which is a hormone involved in social bonding, empathy, and emotional balance. People who have the A-allele in the SNP rs3796863 often have higher oxytocin levels. They may feel more empathy and care deeply about others. However, studies also found that people with the A-allele tend to feel more emotional distress, sadness, or even feel socially isolated when facing stressful situations.
To better understand this, researchers studied 171 university students in Canada. They showed them an emotional video of a father talking about his child’s serious illness and measured how distressed the students felt afterward. They found that people with the AA or AC genotypes with A-alleles reported feeling much more upset and overwhelmed than those with the CC genotype Interestingly, while women in the study generally felt more empathy than men, the CD38 gene difference mainly affected how much personal distress people felt—not their ability to empathize.
This suggests that people with the A-allele may have stronger emotional reactions during stressful moments, but they can also feel so overwhelmed that it’s harder for them to stay calm or support others. In people who are highly sensitive to stress, this emotional overload can also show up physically.
Studies have found that genetics account for part of why some people are more sensitive to stress than others. If one or both parents are highly sensitive or struggle with stress-related conditions, their children may inherit some of these traits. However, it’s not just about the DNA. A parent’s behavior, emotional patterns, and how they manage stress can also shape how their child responds to stress. So, stress sensitivity results from a mix of inherited traits and learned behaviors.
People who are highly sensitive to stress may experience a range of emotional, physical, and behavioral symptoms:
Managing stress sensitivity starts with daily habits. Simple lifestyle changes can help balance the nervous system and improve resilience:
Therapy can also help people manage stress sensitivity. Options include:
