Is stress in your DNA? 3 signs that mean you have genetic stress

Stress isn’t just in your head; it’s in your blood, your hormones, and your energy levels. Stress quietly chips away at well-being long before the obvious signs appear. Elevated cortisol, low Vitamin D and B12, thyroid imbalances, and erratic blood sugar are all red flags in people who feel ‘just a little tired’ or ‘slightly off.’ However, do you know that stress can be in your DNA?

Can stress be genetic?

Dr. Prabhojit Mohanty, psychiatrist, deaddiction specialist, therapist, member of Doctube says, “With 80% of Indians experiencing regular stress—and women disproportionately affected—it’s no surprise that lifestyle diseases are rising at an alarming rate. Stress isn’t just about what happens to you — it’s also about how your brain and body are wired to react. New research suggests some hidden genetic traits, called endophenotypes, shape our daily stress responses.”

Here are three simple genetic clues you can notice in yourself:

1. Feeling “too sensitive” to criticism or conflict:
If small disagreements leave you feeling deeply upset for hours or days, you may have a naturally higher emotional sensitivity.



2. Struggling to stay focused when anxious:
Finding it hard to concentrate, make decisions, or finish tasks when stressed could point to genetic differences in attention control.

3. Physical overreactions to minor stress:
If your heart races, you sweat, or feel exhausted after small stressful events, your stress. The hormone system might be genetically primed to overreact.

How to manage these genetic stress symptoms?

According to Deepak Sahni, founder, CEO, Healthians, “Recognizing these patterns isn’t about blaming your genes — it’s about learning to manage stress better, with strategies that actually fit you. But here’s what should give you hope: your body is constantly communicating with you. Tests like vitamin D, B12, TSH, HbA1c, and cortisol aren’t just medical metrics; they're early warning signals. When caught in time, even small tweaks can prevent major health setbacks. People should listen to their bodies, ask the right questions, and take control one test at a time.”

Video