About the Health Symptoms of Stress

The symptoms and responses to stress are different for each person, and what causes stress in you may be of no consequence to someone else. Although a small amount of stress in your daily life may be beneficial to your motivation, too much stress can cause serious effects on your health. According to the Mayo Clinic and the American Institute of Stress, the health symptoms of stress include changes in your mental health, physical appearance and bodily functions.

Personality Changes

• Stress can affect your personality by changing your mood, causing symptoms such as irritability, anger, frustration, impatience and depression.

Physical Changes

• Outward health symptoms of stress may include skin changes such as flushing and sweating, shaking or twitching of your muscles and repetitive hand motions or pacing.

Internal Symptoms

• Internal health symptoms of stress on your body may include an irregular or fast heartbeat, upset stomach, changes in your bowel functions and muscle aches and pains.

Chronic Conditions

• Stress that persists for a long duration of time may cause chronic health symptoms such as high blood pressure, hair loss, eczema, insomnia and sexual dysfunction.

Misconceptions

• Stress is a condition that affects more than just your mind. It can negatively impact your social relationships and work performance and can worsen the effects of chronic diseases such as diabetes.

Prevention/Solution

• Although it is impossible to completely prevent all stress in your life, you can take personal actions such as attending counseling, meditating and getting regular exercise to manage your health symptoms of stress.