Topics: Articles, Workplace Stress
How Can Stress Affect You? (how does stress affect health)
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Depending on the individual, stress can manifest itself in many different ways. Below are some of the signs and symptoms individuals who are under stress sometimes display. From Tolley’s Managing Stress in the Workplace, written by Carole Spiers.
|
Physical |
Psychological |
Behavioural |
| Palpitations, awareness of heart beating, chest pains | Mood swings | Susceptibility to accidents |
| Diarrhea, constipation, flatulence | Panic attacks | Changes in eating habits |
| Indigestion | Morbid thoughts | Increased smoking |
| Loss of libido | Low self-esteem | Restlessness, hyperactivity, foot tapping |
| Muscle tension | Irritability | Over-dependence on drugs and/or alcohol |
| Menstrual problems | Feeling of helplessness | Changes in sleep patterns |
| Tiredness | Impatience | Out of character behaviour |
| Breathlessness | Anxiety | Voluntary withdrawal from supportive relationships |
| Sweating | Crying | Disregard for personal appearance |
| Tightness in the chest | Cynicism | Loss of confidence |
| Skin and scalp irritation, eczema and psoriasis | Withdrawal into daydreams | Sullen attitude |
| Increased susceptibility to allergies | Intrusive thoughts or images | Clenched fists |
| Frequent colds, flu or other infections | Nightmares | Obsessive mannerisms |
| Rapid weight gain or loss | Suicidal feelings | Increased absence from work |
| Backache, neck pain | Paranoid thinking | Aggressiveness |
| Migraines and tension headaches | Guilt | Poor time management |
Source: Tolley’s Managing Stress in the Workplace, written by Carole Spiers and published by LexisNexis in 2003. To find out more about the book, click here.
