Symptoms of Severe Stress

Some people believe that the causes of stress and the manifestations are the same for everyone. The reality, however, is that stress is an individual experience and is different for each of us. Different circumstances and events cause stress to different people. What you may consider as a threat may seem as a challenge to be overcome by another. There is also a huge difference between how people respond to stress.

Irrespective of the nature of the reaction to stress, the one kind of stress that needs immediate attention is severe stress. Acute or severe stress is mainly stress that is acute in nature and results in severe symptoms. In such a state, certain specific symptoms of stress are likely to be magnified to a large extent. These symptoms can be a combination of physiological, psychological, behavioral and emotional symptoms.

Acute stress is different from chronic stress where specific symptoms of stress may not be too acute but may last for a long period of time, sometimes being almost permanent. For example, if the health of a loved one is causing you stress, the stress may continue till the time the loved one actually gets better. If, in case, the case is complicated, you may continue to feel stressed for as long as the loved one is unwell. Sometimes the magnitude of chronic stress reaches such levels that the general physiological and behavioral symptoms become normal conditions.

Acute or sever stress, on the other hand, can cause certain very specific symptoms like panic attacks and the like. While short-lived, these symptoms can be difficult to manage since they are strong reactions that the body produces.

Severe stress symptoms include but not limited to:

• Panic attacks
• Tension headaches
• Heartburns
• Sudden change in bowel habits
• Neuromuscular pains and aches
• Emotional outbursts
• Excessive anger
• Temporary loss of cognitive abilities

Keep in mind that absence of symptoms does not mean absence of stress. It is important to note that we tend to suppress symptoms of stress with medication sometimes. This can happen if the medication has been administered without proper evaluation or taken without the consultation of a physician. In fact, minor symptoms like headache or heartburn that are ignored for a period of time can result in a sudden attack of acute stress.

This does not mean that the stress has occurred suddenly and without prior notice. In most cases, it implies neglect towards the early signs of stress or lack of awareness.

Back to Symptoms of Stress.