Signs and Symptoms of Stress

Signs and Symptoms of Stress:
Stress is a normal physical response to events that make you feel threatened or upset your balance in some way. When you sense danger – whether it’s real or imagined – the body's defenses kick into high gear in a rapid, automatic process known as the “fight-or-flight” reaction, or the stress response.

Signs of Stress:

The signs of stress may be cognitive, emotional, physical or behavioural.

1. Cognitive Signs: It may include poor judgment, a general negative outlook, problems in attention and concentration and forgetfulness.

2. Emotional Signs: It may include excessive worrying, moodiness, irritability, agitation, inability to relax, feeling lonely, isolated or depressed, social withdrawal, neglect of responsibilities and increased procrastination.

3. Physical Signs: It may include acne, aches and pains, diarrhea or constipation, nausea, dizziness, chest pain, rapid heartbeat, eating too much or not eating enough, neck pains, not sleeping enough or sleeping too much.

4. Behavioral Signs: It may include increased use of alcohol,  nicotine or  drug consumption and nervous habits such as pacing about and nail-biting

Stress doesn’t always look stressful

Psychologist Connie Lillas uses a driving analogy to describe the three most common ways people respond when they’re overwhelmed by stress:

• Foot on the gas – An angry or agitated stress response. You’re heated, keyed up, overly emotional, and unable to sit still.
• Foot on the brake – A withdrawn or depressed stress response. You shut down, space out, and show very little energy or emotion.
• Foot on both – A tense and frozen stress response. You “freeze” under pressure and can’t do anything. You look paralyzed, but under the surface you’re extremely agitated.

Am I in control of stress or is stress controlling me?

• When I feel agitated, do I know how to quickly calm and soothe myself?
• Can I easily let go of my anger?
• Can I turn to others at work to help me calm down and feel better?
• When I come home at night, do I walk in the door feeling alert and relaxed?
• Am I seldom distracted or moody?
• Am I able to recognize upsets that others seem to be experiencing?
• Do I easily turn to friends or family members for a calming influence?
• When my energy is low, do I know how to boost it?

Stress Warning Signs and Symptoms

Cognitive Symptoms

Memory problems

Inability to concentrate

Poor attention

Poor judgment

Seeing only the negative

Anxious or racing thoughts

Constant worrying

Emotional Symptoms

Moodiness

Irritability or short temper

Agitation, inability to relax

Feeling overwhelmed

Sense of loneliness and isolation

Depression or general unhappiness

Physical Symptoms

Aches and Pains

Diarrhea or constipation

Nausea, dizziness

Chest pain, rapid heartbeat

Loss of sex drive

Frequent colds

Behavioral Symptoms

Eating more or less

Sleeping too much or too little

Isolating yourself from others

Procrastinating or neglecting responsibilities

Using alcohol, cigarettes, or drugs to relax

Nervous habits (e.g. nail biting, pac

                                                                                                                       - Dr Smita Pandey