Recognizing the signs and symptoms of stress will enable faster treatment and prevention of stress-related damage. The following list breaks the symptoms of stress into four categories and gives examples. This chart may help you identify if your customers or fellow staff are experiencing stress.

Stress symptoms

Physical

• headaches
• diarrhea
• constipation
• shortness of breath or shallow breathing
• high blood pressure
• weight gain or loss
• tooth or jaw pain
• frequent crying
• feeling tired
• unexplained pain
• dehydration
• dizziness
• heart palpitations

Emotional symptoms

• feeling like you have no control
• negative attitude and feelings
• being angry or irritable often
• moodiness
• being lonely and isolating oneself
• feeling overwhelmed

Behavioral symptoms

• early morning wakening or inability to sleep or sleeping too much
• eating more or less than usual
• neglecting responsibilities
• escalating nervous habits such as pacing or nail-biting
• self-medicating with alcohol, drugs or prescription medications
• procrastinating

Cognitive symptoms

• poor concentration
• short-term memory loss
• poor judgment
• excessive worrying
• trouble problem solving
• anxious or racing thoughts

 

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