Warning Signs of Stress

Each person tends to have his or her own pattern of stress response, so that warning signs of stress vary from person to person. There are many signs that a person is under stress. One of the most obvious and early signs of stress to look out for is intensifying of personality traits. The suspicious person becomes defensive; the careful becomes over-meticulous; the pessimistic, lugubrious; the anxious, panic -stricken; the inadequate falls to pieces together. The irritable person becomes explosive; the extrovert becomes slapdash; and the introspective loses contact with everyday reality.

However, perhaps the earliest and most apparent warning sign is exaggeration of eating habits. Some people lose their appetite when they become stressed, anxious or depressed; others eat more or over-eat, perhaps to comfort themselves.

To know the pattern of your own stress response is a step forward, for you can then gauge the depth of problems by the nature and severity of your own symptoms or changes in behaviour. Stress warning signals include -

• Feeling unable to slow down or relax
• Explosive anger in response to minor irritation
• Anxiety or tension lasting more than a few days
• Inability to focus your attention
• Fatigue
• Sleep Disturbances
• Tension Headaches
• Cold Hand or feet
• Aching neck and shoulder muscles
• Indigestion
• Loss or increase of appetite
• Diarrhea or constipation
• Ulcers
• Heart palpitations
• Allergy or asthma attacks

Although we all experience some of these symptoms at various times for various Reasons other than stress, be alert if the symptoms occur frequently. There is no need to panic as this in itself will cause stress.