Signs and symptoms of stress
We all need a manageable amount of stress in our lives. A balloon fulfils its purpose by having enough air inside it to create just the right amount of stress. Put too much air in and it bursts. Put too little air in and it is not fit for purpose.
Coping with Stress
Stress can come from 3 main areas for the working person
- Personal - from all areas of our lives which are outside the influence of work and that includes family, home, circumstances, the way you think, things which have affected you from your past
- organisational - from the type of the organisation for which they work, it's management, systems and procedures
- occupational - from the actual job that you work in day to day
- lack of training, lack of competence, change of role, lack of confidence
- in sufficient staffing for size of workload, inflexible work schedules
- low job satisfaction, role ambiguity, long or difficult hours
- harassment, physical danger, violence, bullying
- unrealistic expectations, too much to do and too little time
-
poor working relationships, lack of support, lack of communication
Symptoms of Stress
Too much stress can result in physical, mental and social problems. Occupational stress 'evolves through work and is a process that can occur when there is a mismatch of an individual's perception of how he/she copes with the pressures and demands of their work' (Stress, Welham J. [ 2003] Reed Elsevier UK)
Stress reactions include
Physical symptoms:
- night sweats, asthma, eczema, skin rashes , loss of sex-drive
- headaches, migraine. insomnia, accident prone
- back pain and muscle tension pain
- heart disease, high blood pressure
Mental symptoms:
- anxiety, nervousness, tension and panic attacks, nervous breakdown and nightmares
- loss of confidence and self-esteem, fatigue, apathy
- mood swings, anger and aggression, impulsive behaviour
- lack of concentration , feel less able to do job properly
- depression, loneliness and emptiness, not wanting to socialise, forgetfulness, guilt
Behavioural symptoms
- substance abuse: alcohol, drugs, excessive smoking or coffee or caffeine drinks
- loss of appetite or overeating
- impulsive behaviour, risk taking, excessive gambling, out of control spending
- weakened immune system, so liable to catch more colds, sore throats and flu than normal