Symptoms of Stress and Anxiety

Stress Signs and Symptoms

Chronic prolonged stress often results in physical symptoms of stress, while short-term stress can affect you mentally and emotionally.

The physical, emotional and mental symptoms of stress can be debilitating, especially if they continue long term.

The longer you experience stress and anxiety, the more likely you are to have long-term physical symptoms of stress and stress induced illnesses like cancer, heart problems or diabetes.

Your mind and your body are closely connected.

Physical Symptoms
of Stress and Anxiety

There is a strong association between stress and cardiovascular disease.

And, when you are experiencing high levels of stress, your immunity is low, and you may also be vulnerable to colds and flu and other stress related illnesses.

Other physical symptoms of stress include migraines, hypertension (high blood pressure), loss of sex drive, difficulty concentrating and stress related hair loss.

In addition, your digestive system activity is reduced, which creates gastrointestinal difficulties such as constipation, diarrhea, indigestion and ulcers.

Emotional Symptoms of Stress
Hidden Stress Symptoms

Here are some of the emotional symptoms of anxiety and stress:

• Forgetfulness
• Mental fog - sometimes known as "spacing out"
• Feeling irritable
• Being negative all the time
• Feelings of hopelessness
• Being hyper-alert - Here's an example of being hyper-alert: After you go to bed, the lights are out, and you hear a noise. For the next half hour, you lie awake listening intently to every little noise in the night. You are EXTRA alert and EXTRA aware, afraid to go back to sleep--until you are absolutely certain that there is no danger.
• Racing thoughts - This is sometimes associated with mania (bipolar disorder). You have lots of thoughts, and they come really fast. You just can't stop thinking...
• Mood swings
• Quick to show anger - especially if you are normally patient with others.

Your Behavior
Symptoms of Anxiety Stress

For instance, did you know that you can consciously behave in a way that relieves your stress and improves your health.

Despite being able to help themselves, some people deal with situations in a way that actually increases their stress levels.

Behaviors can also indicate how high your stress levels are. And they can actually be stress symptoms.

Here are some behavioral stress and anxiety symptoms:

• Changes in your eating pattern - eating more or less than usual.

• Sleep - not getting enough sleep or wanting to sleep all day

• Removing yourself from social activities

• Procrastinating and not wanting to get jobs or tasks done

• Using alcohol, cigarettes or drugs to unwind

Cognitive or Mental
Stress Symptoms

• Inability to concentrate

• Making poor judgments

• Having difficulty remembering

• Re-occurring negative thinking

• Feeling anxious and nervous most of the time

Stress management to get rid of all the symptoms of stress and anxiety is very important to your mental and physical health. Make sure you eliminate any stressors that you can, and learn to handle the others.

You might want to consider this excellent stress management program , developed by Dr. Randy Gilchrist, that helps you learn to relax and handle your stressors effectively.

The Coping with Stress and Anxiety Program by Dr. Gilchrist,has had great results for people with both physical and mental or psychological symptoms of stress.

You might also like:

• Ways of Coping with Stress
• Main Causes of Stress
• Natural Sleep Aids

Symptoms of Stress and Anxiety to Coping with Stress

Symptoms of Stress and Anxiety to Easy Stress Management

Photo courtesy of ShutterMoth

New! Comments