diyhealth.com

Stress Symptoms

Stress: Symptoms


Top Symptoms

1. Behavioral and cognitive symptoms

Behavioral symptoms in people are usually the very first signs to indicate that something is wrong. Intentionally or unintentionally, individuals exhibit changes in behavior due to stress. Examples of such changes are reduced or elevated appetite, too much or too little sleep, shunning responsibilities, turning into a procrastinator, avoiding the company of other people, signs of nervousness (nail biting, pacing etc.), and use of cigarettes, drugs and alcohol. Cognitive signs of stress in individuals can be problems with attentiveness, lack of judgment, absent mindedness, pessimism and incessant worrying.

2. Depression

Emotional stressors like break ups, divorce, unemployment, or financial crisis can trigger the stress response. Continued exposure to these situations without being able to find a resolution or closure can push the stressed person to depression. Each year, millions of people come to the realization that they suffer from depression. But that is not the worst part; it is projected that only one-third of those who suffer from the disease will ever seek any formal treatment. Because depression is considered a mental affliction, many patients avoid seeking professional medical help. Instead of accepting that they are mentally ill and seek professional help, people try to manage the problem themselves.

3. Anxiety

Anxiety usually develops when someone is facing something that is out of their comfort zone and thus, can be a challenging situation. For example, if you were to take an exam, attend an interview or give a speech. It influences people in diverse ways, because for some, these circumstances can be considered normal yet to many others, it can change your whole life such as cause mistakes at work, being unable to sleep, or being unable to eat properly.ย Anxiety can give you sleepless nights, or worse, progress to an anxiety disorder.

4. Irritability

Mood swings and other unusual characteristics can be displayed by a person under excessive stress. When left unchecked, irritability may progress to anger management issues. Psychological stress symptoms can, in fact, intensify physical stress symptoms. Anxiety, difficulty in sleeping (or sleeping too much), nervousness, under or overeating, negative mood changes, no longer engaging in activities once enjoyed, and being short tempered are all stress symptoms.

5. Illnesses

If youโ€™re getting sick a lot, thatโ€™s most probably a result of stress. One of the effects of stress is the bodyโ€™s immune system becoming weak. Stress impairs your antibodies and leaves you more sickly than usual. This is why stress, simple as it is, can bring about a myriad possible illnesses if not managed.

6. Fatigue

If you constantly throw yourself on the bed when you get home after a hard dayโ€™s work, then youโ€™re probably stressed. Stress is a major cause of loss in a companyโ€™s efficiency, a stressed out person doesnโ€™t usually stay too long with his/her current organisation. Excessive tension and a โ€˜battle readyโ€™ state of mind can cause severe fatigue. Fatigue is also the result of not taking breaks or eating proper meals at proper times.

7. Headaches

Headaches are nothing new. We experience headaches when we are down with flu or fever. There is what experts refer to as a stress headache, and it is characterized by a throbbing pain in the head or neck area even when you are not sick. Stress headaches are more often brought about by the lack of sleep; something that a stressed person is usually deprived of.

Today's Top Articles:

Scroll to Top