The Symptoms of Stress
Introduction

To define stress is very difficult, because it means different things to different people. Stress can be seen as the way we react emotionally, physically, and spiritually to life events. These events include the changes we have to go through in life. It does not matter if it is “good” or “bad” change, both are stressful events. Stress is therefore a part of daily life because we go through change everyday.

It is hard to imagine one's life without stress. No stress would mean that our lives would be without any excitement, challenges, ambitions, drive, goals, achievements or even relationships. A certain amount of stress is therefore needed to maintain life.

On the other hand, too much stress means putting too much strain on one's body, and being mentally and emotionally exhausted and unable to appreciate the joys of life. Too much stress may lead to illness. Some studies show that prolonged stress can compromise our immune systems, making us vulnerable to a number of chronic or acute conditions. These conditions include high blood pressure, peptic ulcers, headaches, sleep disorders and most common skin disorders.

The purpose of this brochure is to try and explain the effects that too much stress can have on the body and mind.

Am I suffering from stress?

The signs of stress may range from slight to dramatic, from mere irritation to a diagnosis of a mental illness. Symptoms vary from person to person, depending on personality traits, coping skills, life experiences, health and support systems.

Immediate physical response to stress may include the following symptoms, heart palpitations, shallow breathing, rapid pulse, dry mouth and throat, feeling shaky, having tremors and twitches.



Other physical signs are:

• Nausea
• Fainting
• Tightness in chest with or without difficulty in breathing
• Grinding of teeth, clenching of the jaw
• Ulcers
• Lower backache
• Sleep difficulties (too much or too little)
• Impaired sexual drive (Libido)
• Lack of appetite or increased appetite
• Skin disorders, e.g., rashes, itching, pimples, hives
• Excessive sweating, clammy hands, cold hands and feet
• Gastrointestinal discomfort, heartburn, indigestion, diarrhoea, constipation and haemorrhoids
• Feeling tired or lethargic
• Migraine and chronic headaches
• Muscular spasms causing pain in the face, jaw, neck, chest, shoulders, head and back.
   

Psychological signs may include:

• Feeling overwhelmed, helpless or hopeless
• Periods of crying
• Diminished interest in things you used to enjoy
• Frequent absences from work
• Lack of productivity
• Substance abuse
• Excessive talking
• Disturbing, obsessive or racing thoughts
• Mood swings
• Volatile emotions
• Worry, anxiety, depression and panic attacks
• Irritability, impatience, anger, hostility
• Aggressiveness
• Suicidal thoughts
• Withdrawal
• Forgetfulness
• Indecisiveness

If we ignore our stress symptoms and think it will blow over or that it is just a phase we have to go through, without addressing the cause of the stress and the effects that stress has on us, stress may aggravate the following:

• Cardiac problems; in other words heart conditions and even heart failure.
   
• Impaired immune system; vulnerability to colds and life threatening auto-immune diseases like cancer and diabetes.
   
• Respiratory disorders like asthma, which may be triggered by emotional upsets.

Burnout is a modern-day condition and is seen as the last stage of chronic, long-term stress.

These illnesses could surface due to a predisposition to a chronic illness. A person subjected to prolonged stress or stress symptoms may experience a particular physical response. For example, if your family history shows Diabetes as a chronic illness, you are likely to have a predisposision to this illness.


It is also important to acknowledge stressors (those life changing events which cause us to experience stress).


What causes stress, then?

As we have discussed previously, we experience change every day of our lives. All changes are stressful and can be “good” or “bad”. Stress can be experienced as a result of any life event or change.

Positive changes (Stressors) may include the following:

• Getting married
• Having a child
• Changing jobs
• Moving to a new home
• Meeting new friends
• Receiving an award
• Promotions

Negative changes (Stressors) may include the following:

• Divorce or break-up of a relationship
• Financial problems
• Unemployment or loss of employment
• Being evicted
• Arguments with significant others
• Losing something valuable
• Violent crimes against you

There are many ways to control and reduce stress once you recognize the need to do so. Improving eating habits, getting enough exercise and sleep will help you to reduce stress. Ways to control stress will be discussed in detail in our Stress brochures. Please contact us on the MEDbenefit call centre number, 0860 000 101, for further information or assistance.

For more information visit our website at www.medbenefit.co.za

Call us: 0860 000 101
Contact us: stress@medbenefit.co.za