Stress is something that people often relate to as a sense of intense emotional pressure, but it’s actually a very physical response that humans undergo when faced with a threatening situation. For instance, in a life or death situation, the body goes into fight or flight mode—which is marked by an increased heart rate, blood pressure, and breathing, as well as muscle tensing—to prepare your mind and body to defend itself.
However, stress is also caused by external and internal factors that aren’t life-threatening, including relationship problems, work, school, money, family, and chronic worrying or pessimism. But long-term stress can have a negative impact on your body and mind, so it’s important to recognize the signs and symptoms so that you can take action before you become a victim of your body’s response system.
Physical Symptoms of Stress
Because stress is a physical response, there are a great number of symptoms associated with it that you’ll feel in your body. Stress affects functions like your appetite and digestion, sleep patterns, health, nerves, and energy levels. Some of the common physical side effects of stress include:
Aches: people suffering from stress often experience headaches, stomach aches, chest pains, and muscle tension and pain.
Energy: stress takes a huge toll on your body, and this often leaves people feeling zapped, drained, and fatigued.
Appetite and digestion: there is a definite link between the brain and the stomach, and stress can cause stomach upset, nausea, constipation, diarrhea, appetite gain or loss, over and undereating, and serious gastrointestinal problems, such as colitis, GERD, irritable colon, and gastritis.
Sleep: stress often leads to sleep pattern disruptions, and this can be in the form of insomnia, the inability to fall or stay asleep, and needing too much sleep.
Health: there are many health problems associated with stress, including frequent colds and flus, changes in sex drive, increased sexual dysfunction, hair loss, skin problems such as rashes, acne, and psoriasis, menstrual problems, heart disease, and obesity.
Nerves: stress has some pretty telltale symptoms when it comes to the nerves, and this includes cold and sweaty hands and feet, dry mouth, difficulty swallowing, teeth grinding, jaw clenching, eyelid twitching, nervousness, shaking, and even a ringing in the ears.
Emotional, Behavioral, and Cognitive Signs of Stress
Along with the range of physical effects, stress also has a long list of emotional, cognitive, and behavioral signs as well. For one, stress can cause or exacerbate other mental health problems, including personality disorders, depression, and anxiety. It can also lead to:
- Irritability, moodiness, restlessness, frustration, and anger
- Feelings of being overwhelmed and losing control
- An inability to relax and calm down
- Low self-esteem
- Lack of motivation and focus
- Social isolation and feelings of loneliness
- Disorganization and forgetfulness
- Indecisiveness, memory problems, and poor judgment
Stress takes a toll on the mind and body, and this can lead to drug and alcohol abuse, tobacco use, gambling, and the development of nervous behaviors such as fidgeting and nail-biting.
If you notice the symptoms of stress in yourself or see signs in a friend or family member, encourage yourself or that person to seek help. Stress can have long-term and life-threatening effects, and controlling it is vital to good physical and mental health.
Things you can do to control stress include physical activity, meditation, yoga, tai chi, taking time for yourself, and mindful relaxation techniques.
To learn more about the details of treatment and symptoms of stress, call or contact us today at 202-641-5335.
