PJEndicott

How can we recognise stress in ourselves and others?
Stress does not usually happen suddenly; in most people stress is insidious and almost imperceptible in its early stages. When we begin to move out of our comfort zone we may notice an increase in headaches, perhaps some muscular tension in our neck, shoulders and across our upper back. We may become irritable or impatient with others, and we may also increase our use of chemical props, smoking, alcohol, caffeine and sweets, as we seek anything that will give us a boost and restore our normal levels of efficiency and confidence.

As time goes on, our sleep may be interrupted causing us to feel tired all of the time, we may withdraw into ourselves, feel hopeless, experience anxiety or become tearful. We may notice that although normally healthy we now seem to pick up any bug or cold that is doing the rounds. This is an early warning sign of a compromised immune system.

If we have not taken positive action by now it will not be long before work and relationships start to suffer, and stress-related illnesses emerge.

Physical

• Palpitations, awareness of heart beating,
• Chest pain
• Tiredness or fatigue
• Tightness in the chest
• Diarrhoea
• Constipation
• Flatulence
• Muscle tension
• Breathlessness
• Indigestion
• Sweating
• Loss of libido
• Menstrual problems
• Skin irritation
• Scalp irritation
• Eczema
• Psoriasis
• Increased susceptibility to allergies
• requent colds, flu or other infections
• Rapid weight gain or loss

Emotional

• Anxiety
• Impatience
• Low self-esteem
• Feelings of helplessness
• Mood swings
• Irritability
• Panic attacks
• Crying or tearfulness
• Morbid thoughts
• Cynicism
• Intrusive thoughts
• Intrusive images
• Suicidal feelings
• Guilt
• Paranoid beliefs
• Nightmares
• Withdrawal into daydreams

Behavioural

• Susceptibility to accidents
• Changes in eating habits
• Increased smoking
• Restlessness, hyperactivity
• Foot tapping
• Over-dependence on drugs and/or alcohol
• Out of character behaviour
• Disregard for personal appearance and safety
• Loss of confidence
• Sullen attitude
• Clenched fists
• Obsessive mannerisms
• Increased absence from work
• Aggressiveness
• Poor time management

Stress is very much a perspective: what causes stress in one person will not necessarily affect others. This can make it very hard for us to understand just why someone is suffering as they are.