Stress affects everyone differently. An event that is stressful for one person may not be stressful for another. If you show symptoms of stress, it may mean that you feel you are out of control of your situation or unable to cope. While everyone feels tense now and then, if you are under chronic tension, you may start to develop physical and/or emotional symptoms of stress. If you recognize any of the common emotional symptoms, it is important to take steps to manage your stress.
Anxiety
The American Stress Institute states that there are many emotional symptoms of stress and no two people respond the same. However, one common sign is feeling anxious, tense, irritable or nervous. You may constantly be worried about events that have or have not happened to the point that these thoughts interrupt your ability to do everyday tasks. It is important to take time each day to allow your mind to relax and find a way to take your mind off your worries.
Mood Swings
If you are under a lot of stress, you may suffer from severe mood swings. At times, you may feel frustrated, angry or even hostile. This may alternate with feeling depressed, lethargic or feeling like there is no purpose to life. The American Psychological Association states that these kinds of emotions can signal high stress levels. Your emotional reactions may not always coincide with the event that is happening, and others may feel that you overreact. You may find it hard to concentrate and finish tasks. If you are feeling depressed or having suicidal, thoughts talk with your physician about available treatments and counseling that can help you to bring your stress level under control.
Compulsive Behavior
According to MedlinePlus, for some stress can lead to feelings of confusion and fearfulness. Stress may also lead to a tendency to develop compulsive behaviors, such as gambling or risk-taking that are out of character for you. You may tend to overeat or skip meals and not take care of yourself properly. Others may become overly obsessed with everyday activities in an attempt to control the situation. MedlinePlus states that the first step is to identify the situations that you find stressful so you can form a plan to address these triggers.
