Physical symptoms of severe stress

Stress usually arises when we get into a situation that we consider as threatening. There are few events that are stressful, of course but for those that we can consider huge catastrophes. The stressful situations are most of the time, connected with situations that we find difficult to handle. The way we see things happening to us affects our stress level. If we have expect more than we should from life and people around us, that is to have higher expectations than we actually should expect, the chances are that we will experience a quite big amount of stress. The response we may have towards stress can sometimes have positive effects; it can instigate our motivation and awareness by providing the stimulation to fulfil challenging situations.

Stress may be connected to external factors. Such external factors could be: anything related to world, country, or any society we may belong to, or uncertain events that we may get involved in, the environment, work itself or our families. But stress can also come from our own, an irresponsible behaviour, poor health habits, negative attitudes and feelings, unrealistic expectations or perfectionism.

Stress affects our mind, bodies and our behaviour. Though signs and physical symptoms of severe stress may be different from one person to another, all of them may harm our health, emotional condition, and relationships with others. Here are some of the physical symptoms stress has on us:

• Headaches
• Digestive disorders
• Muscle tension and pain
• Sleep disturbance or fatigue
• Chest pain, irregular heartbeat
• High blood pressure
• Weight gain or loss
• Hair loss
• Asthma or shortness of breath
• Skin problems
• Immune system suppression
• Reproductive problems, like missed periods
• Anorexia nervosa
• Ulcers

The physical symptoms of severe stress on people are not usually revealed unless one has to deal with a severe case of short term or long term stress. Depending on the type of stress a person suffers from, usually determines the symptoms they experience.

The symptoms that occur during short term stress are how our body is responding to what it perceives as a physical threat, and is the result of adrenaline release. Although these symptoms are unpleasant, they are signs that our body is readying itself for high performance or survival.
Symptoms that are sign of severe long term stress are the result of a body’s exposure to adrenaline for long periods of time. Adrenaline readies our body for actions by redirecting resources to muscles from the parts of the body that perform body maintenance. Therefore, if our body is exposed to adrenaline for a continuous period, our physical health may begin to deteriorate.

Numerous health illnesses and conditions are the result of severe stress. In case you suffer from severe stress you should pay attention to your health instead of thinking that it will just go away. Make some major changes in your lifestyle in order to find the relief you need and which will allow you to relax and cope with the situations that are causing you stress.
 
The physical symptoms of severe stress can be quite harmful to one's health. Unfortunately, there are not few people who feel so stressed that they do not see the real extent of it or what is impact that stress and anxiety have on their health. There are cases when the stress and anxiety faced by a person affects them at such an extent that they are unable to recognize it. Often, in such circumstances, people become so used with the stress in their lives and the physical symptoms that it causes that they feel like they have a normal life.

It is always mandatory to have a real understanding and estimation of the physical symptoms of anxiety and stress. They are different from one person to another. Some symptoms may be serious while others are not but they all end up as being a threat for our health.