There is no single symptom that can identify stress – stressed
and unstressed people may equally well have heart disease or drink to excess. A
common factor in stressed individuals is the presence of a number of
symptoms.
Physical signs
Some physical symptoms of
stress can be life-threatening, such as high blood pressure and heart
disease. Less life-threatening physical signs
include insomnia, a feeling of constant fatigue, headaches,
skin rashes, digestive disorders, ulcers, colitis, loss of appetite,
overeating, and cramps.
Many of these occur at some point after a stressful event.
Other symptoms of stress are more immediate – for example, feelings of
nausea,
breathlessness, or a dry mouth. All these symptoms, of course,
may be caused by
factors other than stress. If you or a colleague are naturally
prone to
headaches, for example, be wary of jumping to inaccurate
conclusions about
stress levels.
Recognizing stress at work
It is often quite easy to spot signs of stress in the people you
work with. Some of the more common symptoms include a marked decline in
personal appearance, a quick and fiery temper, changes in eating habits, and a
general withdrawal from social activities.
Emotional signs
The emotional symptoms of stress can include general irritability,
acute anxiety attacks, depression, lack of libido, the loss of a sense of
humour, and an inability to concentrate on the simplest of routine tasks.
Understanding unusual emotional responses and related changes in behaviour is
the key to recognizing stress in yourself and others. Some of the most common
indications of stress are:
Becoming unnecessarily over-emotional or aggressive in conflict
situations;
Loss of interest in personal appearance, other people, social
events, or previously enjoyed activities, such as a favourite sport;
Poor concentration, difficulty in remembering, and an inability
to make decisions;
Sadness, guilt, fatigue, apathy, and a pronounced feeling of
helplessness or failure;
Loss of confidence in personal ability, often coupled with a lack
of self-worth.
Behavioural symptoms
As a temporary relief from stress, many people indulge to excess in
eating, smoking, drinking, or spending. Stress can turn an occasional smoker
into a chain-smoker, and the social drinker into an alcoholic. Individuals may
not recognize they are over-indulging; those who do may go to some lengths to
keep their self-destructive behaviour from friends, family, and colleagues.
Abusing stimulants
Sugar, alcohol, nicotine, and caffeine can all help overcome
fatigue, anxiety, and tension rapidly – but all too briefly. Used to
excess, they heighten the symptoms caused by stress.
Points to remember
Family, friends, and colleagues often spot signs of stress before
the individual affected.
Hobbies and interests are healthy mood-enhancers; their absence,
especially if sudden, may worsen underlying stress.
Almost everyone has a certain weakness that comes to the fore
when they are stressed. For example, many start smoking even though they had
given up.
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If you suffer from regular headaches or insomnia, see a doctor.
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Make a note of anything that you can find that helps you to relax.
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Listen to what your body tells you as objectively as you can.
