Stressed and anxious
Physical and emotional effects
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What is stress?
Stress is the "wear and tear" our bodies experience as we adjust to our continually changing environment; it has physical and emotional effects on us and can create positive or negative feelings.
What is anxiety?
Anxiety is the body's normal response to situations which are stressful to an individual. Anxiety however can become harmful when the symptoms are severe, prolonged and interfere with daily living.
How might this affect me?
The list of effects listed below is not exhaustive. What is clear is that anxiety affects people in different ways. So you may have some of the problems listed below but probably not all. If these effects are severe and are lasting for a long time then you should seek professional help.
Remember that you are not alone and that anxiety is not uncommon.
Physical effects
- Tiredness and lack of energy
- Insomnia
- Headaches and muscular tension
- Tremors and muscular tics
- Loss of appetite/overeating
- Sweating
- Blushing
- Palpatations
- Diarrhoea
- Frequent urination.
Psychological effects
- Feelings of fear and apprehension
- Excessive worrying
- Panic attacks
- Loss of confidence
- Low self-esteem
- Poor memory and concentration
- Obsessive thoughts.
Social effects
- General lack of interest in normal activities
- Adverse effect on relationships, work and other social activities
- Panicky in social situations or in crowds
- Avoiding people
- Tongue tied during conversations
- Lack of patience and irritability with others.
What may cause this to happen?
People may become stressed and experience severe anxiety as a result of one major life change or through a combination of different and perhaps less significant experiences. The following are some recognised causes of stress and anxiety:
Life changes such as:
- Death of a loved one
- Divorce, separation, broken romance
- Loss or change of job
- Job pressures
- Moving house
- Serious ill-health/disability/deformity.
Day to day hassles such as:
- Too many things to do
- Chronic money matters
- Constant work pressures
- Persistent family/relationship problems
- Examination pressures/desire to succeed/fear of failure
- Loneliness and a lack of friendship.
Trauma such as:
- War and bombings
- Car and other accidents and incidents
- Sexual and domestic abuse
- Deprivation.
Other stressors
External ones such as:
- Noise
- Pollution
- Poor lighting
- Overcrowding
- Unpleasant relationships
- Uninteresting work or poor conditions
- Too much or too little responsibility and too many "rules".
Internal ones such as:
- Poor diet
- Little exercise
- Physical strain on the body
- Experiencing conflict or taking things too seriously
- Sexual frustration
- Finding little meaning in life
- Having no time for yourself.
If you need help right now, visit the Immediate Help page.
