Knowing Thy Enemy: Recognizing the Symptoms of Stress

Stress can creep up on us. It’s not always easy to spot, especially in ourselves. The signs can be subtle, and the way stress shows up can differ from person to person. Understanding how it manifests is a vital first step toward managing it. In this post, we’ll explore some of the common ways stress can affect our bodies, emotions, and thoughts.

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The Physical Signs of Stress You Might Be Overlooking

Short-term stress often leads to noticeable physical changes. However, over time, these symptoms can become so familiar that we begin to see them as "normal."

Digestive Issues

Stress often impacts the gut. It’s common to experience either constipation or diarrhoea when feeling overwhelmed. These changes are the body’s way of reacting to stress hormones (Mayer, 2000).

Headaches & Migraines

Tension, muscle tightness, and changes in blood pressure can contribute to headaches. For some, stress may even trigger migraines. Unfortunately, stress can lower our tolerance for pain, making symptoms feel worse.

Muscle Tension & Body Aches

Chronic stress can manifest as constant aches and pains. These often occur in the shoulders, neck, and back (Lumley et al., 2002). This discomfort can be a persistent background annoyance.

Sleep Difficulties

Many people face trouble falling asleep, waking during the night, or feeling unrefreshed in the morning. These symptoms can indicate stress. Lack of quality sleep can further increase stress, creating a difficult cycle (Morin et al., 2003).

Other Physical Effects

Stress can also contribute to various issues, including:

• Fatigue

• Skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis  (Arck et al., 2010)

• Menstrual irregularities

• Reduced sexual performance

  
  

In more acute cases, stress may cause symptoms like chest pain, shortness of breath, or panic attacks. These serious symptoms should never be ignored. Always seek immediate medical help by calling 999 if you’re concerned.

Important: If you’re experiencing any physical symptoms, it’s essential to consult your GP to rule out underlying medical causes before assuming stress is to blame.

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Emotional Responses to Stress: From Anxiety to Anger

Stress doesn’t just impact the body; it can also change how we feel (Cohen et al., 2007).. These emotional changes can often be subtle or confusing.

Anxiety & Worry

Many people report feeling a general sense of anxiety or fear when stressed. Sometimes this anxiety has a clear cause; other times, it seems to attach itself to unrelated areas of life.

Low Mood & Loss of Enjoyment

You might find yourself no longer enjoying activities you used to love. While this can signal stress, it may also indicate depression. If this resonates with you, seeking support is crucial.

Irritability & Anger

Anger can often be misunderstood. What may look like a personality flaw from the outside can actually be a stress response. It is the body’s way of pushing us into action, even if that action is not always helpful.

Hypervigilance & Dread

Stress can leave us on edge, constantly scanning for danger or anticipating problems. This heightened state of awareness can make our environment feel more threatening than it actually is.

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Stress and the Mind: Memory, Focus, and Overthinking

Our thinking patterns shift under stress, often without us realizing it (Arnsten, 2009).

Memory Problems

Stress can affect memory, both short-term and long-term. Some struggle with remembering simple things, while others may be haunted by intrusive memories, especially following traumatic events.

Poor Decision-Making

Under stress, thinking clearly becomes challenging. This difficulty can lead us to make regrettable decisions, further compounding our stress.

Rumination & Overthinking

Stress often leads to repetitive, unproductive thoughts. We may worry about things we cannot control or go in circles without finding resolution. This mental clutter can disrupt sleep and concentration.

Difficulty Focusing

You might notice distractions are more prevalent. It may become harder to concentrate over extended periods. This can impact your performance at work, school, or in daily life.

Avoidance

A common coping mechanism is to avoid stressful people or situations. While it may be a short-term fix, this avoidance typically increases stress and limits our options in the long run.

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Could I Be Stressed?

Stress can affect anyone; it isn’t a sign of weakness, and it may not always look the same for everyone. If you’ve recognized any of these signs in yourself, it may be time to pause and reflect.

You don’t have to figure this out alone. If you're unsure whether stress is affecting how you feel, I offer a free, no-obligation consultation. Together, we can talk through your experiences and find ways to manage the impact of stress effectively. Remember, knowing the enemy is the first step toward overcoming it.

References

• Mayer, E.A. (2000) Psychosomatic Disorders and Brain–Gut Communication.

• Morin, C. et al. (2003) Insomnia and Hyperarousal.

• Arck, P.C. et al. (2010) Stress and Skin Disease.

• Arnsten, A.F.T. (2009) Stress Signalling Pathways that Impair Prefrontal Cortex Structure and Function.