Symptoms and effect of stress

 

Early symptoms of distress include

•        headaches (or the "cotton-wool-head" sensation),

•        irritability,

•        excessive tiredness,

•        sleeplessness,

•        stomach upsets,

•        avoidance of decisions,

•        skin irritation,

•        depression ("anger turned inwards"),

•        back and/or neck pain,

•        colds, sore throats, etc,

•        obsessional "busy-ness",

•        butterfly-mind (inability to concentrate on one

•        item for a long period, and responding instantly,

•        without much thought, to immediate pressures

•        regardless of priorities),

•        taut, jerky physical movements,

•        rapid changes of mood,

•        dull eyes, poor skin/hair condition.

 

Long-term exposure to stress can lead to

•        migraine,

•        peptic ulcers,

•        heart attacks,

•        hypertension,

•        mental illness,

 

and is a factor in

•        cancer,

•        strokes,

•        bowel disorders,

•        diabetes mellitus,

•        skin disorders

•        even suicide.

 

SHARED FROM:

 Bob Ferdinand, 1988, "STRESS MANAGEMENT", Industrial and Commercial Training, Vol. 20 Iss: 4 pp. 14 - 17