Most Common Symptoms of High Stress

Stress is a common physical response to situations and events that make you feel overwhelmed, overly worried or out of control. Stress typically has a negative connotation, but it can also be a good thing. The good kind of stress helps keep you motivated and focused on the task at hand. The bad kind of stress can lead to anxiety and even depression. This type of stress can also be damaging to the body.

Common Symptoms

• In extreme moments, such as when you face an emergency or life-or-death situation, high stress can be helpful by stimulating you to respond quickly, and may even save your life. However, if a high stress level becomes chronic, it can be very detrimental to your mental state. Chronic high stress has been shown to lead to heart disease, high blood pressure, headache, upset stomach, depression and insomnia. In some cases it has even led to the development of obesity and autoimmune disorders.

  Some common emotional symptoms of high stress that should not be ignored are constant worrying or anxiety, out-of-character moodiness, increased unhappiness, feelings of loneliness, having a hard time concentrating, memory loss, development of a short temper, and pessimism.

  Some common physical symptoms of high stress include a decrease in libido or sex drive, minor aches and pains, constipation or diarrhea, unexplained nausea, dizziness and chest pain.

  Some common behavioral symptoms of high stress are abuse of alcohol or drugs as a means of relaxing or escaping, sleeping too much or experiencing insomnia, self-destructive acts like cutting, and ignoring responsibilities like school or work.

  It is important to contact a doctor right away if these symptoms become unbearable and keep you from living life to the fullest. In some cases, medication or therapy may be necessary to return you to health.

Causes and Management

• Stress is often caused by day-to-day matters such as issues that arise at work or school, major changes like divorce or the death of a loved one, relationship problems, and financial concerns. Other causes are less concrete and include unattainable goals or dreams, a general negative attitude toward life, inability to deal with small setbacks, and low self-esteem.

  The good news is that stress can be managed. One of the best ways is to set aside time in the day to do something relaxing such as taking a walk, watching a funny movie or having a bubble bath. For some people, it can be helpful to commiserate with friends and family and ask them for help with real or perceived issues. Some people also employ breathing techniques or take meditation classes to give them the tools needed to cope with daily stress.