What are the Symptoms of Chronic Stress

Physical Symptoms

• Heart palpitations
• Increased blood pressure
• Raised blood sugar levels
• Insomnia
• Headaches
• Dry mouth
• Cold feet and cold clammy hands
• Abdominal pain
• Increased sweating
• Trembling hands
• Tight shoulders and neck
• Lower back pain
• Increased sensitivity to noise and light

Mental Symptoms

• Difficulty concentrating
• Problems with decision making
• Fuzzy thinking
• Mind going in circles
• Memory lapses
• Difficulty making rational judgements
• Forgetfulness
• Confusion
• Problems understanding new information
• Lower back pain
• Increased sensitivity to noise and light

Behavioural Symptoms

• Irritability
• Irrational Anger
• Overuse of stimulants, depressants and painkillers
• Inflexibility
• Feeling constantly anxious
• Oversensitivity to criticism
• Being antisocial

Adapted from Stress and Employer Liability (Developing Practice Series) Earnshaw, Jill and Cooper, Cary L. 2001 edition.