Final answer:
Prolonged or chronic stress caused by high levels of cortisol and adrenaline can weaken the immune system, increase the risk of depression, and cause other health issues such as fatigue and even fatal heart attacks.
Step-by-step explanation:
Prolonged elevation of cortisol and adrenaline caused by stress can have significant negative effects on the body. In the short-term, these hormones may provide beneficial effects such as extra energy, improved immune system functioning, and decreased pain sensitivity. In contrast, prolonged or chronic stress leads to high levels of cortisol, which can weaken the immune system, increase the risk of depression, severe fatigue, suppression of immune response, and even fatal heart attacks. Moreover, during chronic stress, the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis becomes hyperactive, leading to an overproduction of cortisol which can affect virtually every organ in the body. This chronic elevation can result in a persistent state of hyperarousal, which is frequently observed in major depressive disorder (MDD).