Warning Signs & Symptoms

The Statistics

• An estimated 75% to 90% of visits to primary-care physicians are for stress-related complaints.

• 30.9% of all diagnoses of work-related ill-heath are causes of mental ill-heath.

• 82% of people experience some level of stress.

• A significant 1:5 experience high levels of stress.

• About half a million people in the UK experience work-related stress at a level they believe is making them ill.

• A total of 12.8 million working days are lost each year, due to self-reported stress, depression or anxiety.

• Many workers will still not admit to being stressed. Mental health charity Mind reports 27% of workers admitted fabricating a physical reason for taking days off.

Physical Symptoms

How our body reacts to unmanaged stress. Most common are:

• Aches and pains, including back pain.

• Headaches, migraine.

• Lack of energy, fatigue, chronic fatigue.

• Loss of / increased sex drive, impotence.

• Sleeping problems, insomnia or sleeping more.

• Excess perspiration, sweaty palms, etc.

• Alcoholism and other drug addictions.

Tummy Troubles

Our ‘gut brain’, the Enteric Nervous System, has subtly evolved through evolution. Designed to protect, prepare us for fight or flight against danger; emptying the digestive system to run from a sabre-toothed tiger (name your own 21st century ‘threat’ or stressor), once served us well. However, our daily ‘battles’ with sensory overload results in many suffering the following reactions to an autonomic response:

• Diarrhoea • Irritable bowel • Constipation

• Indigestion • Churning stomach • Abdominal cramps

• Nausea, vomiting • Dizziness • Dry mouth

This ancient anti-inflammatory response can cause no ends of problems like:

• Ulcerative colitis • Stomach ulcers

Breathing

As the life-force of our being, the breath is often the first to be affected by ‘threats’ to our survival. From the easiest signs to notice to the more serious symptoms of stress:

• Breathlessness • Shallow breathing • Sighing and yawning

• Hyperventilating • Panic attack • ‘Holding’ your breath

• Chest pain • Palpitations • Angina

• Asthma

Conversely, simple breathing techniques can reduce ‘stress’ immediately.

Eating problems

Also linked to the Enteric Nervous System. Often misunderstood, eating more / less is an extremely common warning sign and symptoms of stress.

From not being able to swallow and enjoy food, to overeating junk food, many of us have an unhealthy relationship with food at some stage in our life.

Mostly seen as ‘psychological’, or lack of self-will, there are reasons we crave carbohydrates, salty or sweet foods. A ‘threat’ may be real or imagined, but the psycho physiological background to our perception of, and reaction to, may also be determined by other biological factors such as Reward Deficiency Syndrome; often associated with obesity. Even those of us who have healthy balanced diets may suffer from abdominal fat during stressful times. From overeating at night, to serious loss of appetite, learning how our brain/body functions demystifies eating habits, giving us the insight for change.

Also common, in varying degrees of severity:

• Colds/Flu, slow wound healing.

• Acne, eczema, psoriasis, herpes.

• Intolerance to cold, hair loss, seasonal affective disorder (SAD).

• Pre-Menstrual Syndrome, infertility.

• Restless leg Syndrome, tingling/tremor in hands/legs.

• Swelling of ankles and legs (oedema).

• High blood pressure, diabetes, strokes.

Other physical stress-related symptoms include:

• Suppressed Thyroid function.

• Decreased bone density (osteoporosis).

• Bipolar depression • Fibromyalgia • Rheumatoid Arthritis

• ADHA • Cushing’s Syndromes • Crohn’sDisease

• Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) • Dissociation

• Impaired cognitive function (also included in psychological symptoms), includes forgetfulness, poor judgement, ‘brain fog’ and ‘brain freeze’.

Psychological Symptoms: How we think and feel

• Memory problems, inability to concentrate

• Loss of confidence, lower self-esteem

• Irritability or short temper, hostile, impatience

• Increased worrying, indecision, blaming others, anxious

• Moodiness, cynical, excess guilt, worries over health

• Feeling a failure, feeling of fear, unable to cope

• Agitation, inability to relax, frustration

• Hopelessness/helplessness, pessimistic thinking

• Sensitivity to criticism, snappy, jealousy

• Sense of loneliness, isolation, feeling overwhelmed

• Seeing only the negative, constantly tense ‘inside’

• ‘Brain fog’, mind in a whirl, racing thoughts (helicopter head)

• Depression or general unhappiness

• Hypercritical of self/others

Behavioural Symptoms: Secondary to stress

• Increased Gambling

• Substance abuse, including caffeine, smoking

• Risk taking, restlessness, outbursts of anger

• Difficulty with relationships, withdrawing from others

• Procrastinating or neglecting responsibilities

• Making mistakes, avoidance behaviour, poor eye contact

• Poorer personal hygiene, poor time management

• Eating / Walking / Talking fast

• Withdrawal from activities, absenteeism (work-related)

• Accidents, inefficiency, aggression, agitation

• Nervous habits e.g. nail biting, pacing, tapping, picking

• Losing temper, crying, inability to delegate, resentment

• Increased sick days, persistent lateness, reduced work performance

Note: Affinity Lodge offers various programmes for those Companies/Businesses who appreciate the importance of stress-reduction through stress-management for their employees (and themselves!)