Which of the following best explains why a relentless workaholic is quickly overwhelmed by stress?

• A. Workaholics are naturally immune to stress due to their high productivity.
• B. Chronic overwork leads to prolonged activation of the body's stress response, exhausting physical and mental resources.
• C. A relentless workaholic is overwhelmed because stress hormones are never released during work.
• D. Stress only affects people who dislike their jobs, not those who work excessively.

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand the concept of the body's stress response, which involves the activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and the release of stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline.
2. Step 2: Recognize that chronic overwork, as seen in workaholics, leads to prolonged activation of this stress response system, meaning the body remains in a heightened state of alert for extended periods.
3. Step 3: Identify that prolonged stress hormone release can deplete physical and mental resources, causing fatigue, impaired cognitive function, and emotional exhaustion.
4. Step 4: Contrast this with the incorrect options, noting that workaholics are not immune to stress, stress hormones are indeed released during work, and stress can affect anyone regardless of job satisfaction.
5. Step 5: Conclude that the best explanation is that chronic overwork causes sustained stress response activation, which overwhelms the individual's capacity to cope, leading to stress-related exhaustion.