After a while, chronic anxiety can have an effect on... Your heart. Anxiety and chronic stress sufferers are more at risk for cardiovascular problems due to a constant increased heart rate, elevated blood pressure and overexposure to cortisol.
The 5 week period is usually about right for something like a federal return. A state return, on the other hand, will take about 6 to 8 weeks. The process takes a little longer when this is done by mail. A 4 week return for electronic filing may actually take closer to 6 weeks with a postal check.
Refunds for paper returns require 10-12 weeks to process. Information for both types of returns is available through the online system. If you filed a paper return and more than 12 weeks have passed, but received an unknown status when trying to locate your refund, you can try to find your return online.