Symptoms

Recognizing the source of your stress and how your stress affects your body is the secret to controlling your stress. By responding to how your brain interprets a situation, your body sounds the alert that you are under stress. When you recognize the signs of stress, you can help yourself learn to relax. Your muscles tense, you get agitated or nervous and you may get angry.

Beware of depression. Often depression and stress are interrelated. Chronic stress may push you into depression, particularly if depression is in your family. If you feel blue most of the time, your problem may be a mood disorder. Depression is highly treatable with medication and therapy and should not be ignored. See your doctor right away.

Here are the symptoms of stress overload.

Emotional signs

• Mood swings
• Anxiety
• Difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep
• Sadness
• Anger
• Trouble concentrating
• Worry
• Feeling agitated or tense

Physical signs

• Feeling tired
• Sweaty palms
• Trouble eating, eating too much or eating when you aren't hungry
• Physical symptoms that your doctor cannot attribute to another condition
• Muscle tension or tightness, such as in your eyebrows

Behavioral signs

• Overreacting
• Acting on impulse
• Using alcohol or drugs
• Withdrawing from relationships
• Changing jobs often

Stress can also affect your physical health:

• Stomach pain
• Constipation or diarrhea
• Fatigue
• Headaches
• High blood pressure
• Insomnia
• Stiff muscles

More on Stress

	How Stress Affects Your Health
	When Road Rage Strikes

This article was reviewed and updated June 2007.