3.2 Give examples of the symptoms of stress

This guide will help you answer 3.2 Give examples of the symptoms of stress.

Stress is a natural response to pressure or demand. It affects people in various ways, depending on individual circumstances and resilience. Stress can arise from work, relationships, financial concerns, health issues, or unexpected life changes, and it has both physical and emotional effects. As a support worker, understanding the symptoms of stress helps you identify it in the people you support and provide effective assistance.

Stress symptoms can be grouped into physical, emotional, behavioural, and cognitive categories. In this guide, we will help you understand and give examples of these symptoms.

Physical Symptoms

When someone feels stress, the body often reacts physically. This is because stress triggers the “fight or flight” response, releasing hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol. These hormones prepare the body to deal with immediate threats and may cause physical changes, including:

• Headaches – Tension headaches are common during periods of stress. The muscles in the neck and scalp can tighten, leading to discomfort.
• Muscle tension or aches – Prolonged stress can cause the muscles to stay in a semi-contracted state, resulting in soreness or stiffness.
• Fatigue – Stress makes the body work harder, leaving the person feeling physically exhausted, even if they have had enough sleep.
• Chest pain or a racing heart – Stress may increase heart rate and blood pressure. For some, this can mimic symptoms of a heart attack.
• Sweating – Excessive sweating, particularly in the palms or underarms, is a common stress response.
• Upset stomach – Stress impacts digestion, leading to symptoms such as nausea, indigestion, or stomach cramps.
• Shaking – Trembling hands or a noticeable shake in the body occur when the nerves are overwhelmed by stress.
• Changes in appetite – Stress can either decrease or increase appetite, leading to weight changes over time. For example, some people may skip meals, while others might overeat.
• Difficulty sleeping – Stress often causes insomnia, leading to difficulty falling or staying asleep.

These physical symptoms are the body’s way of signalling that stress levels are high. Long-term stress without intervention can lead to more serious health problems, like heart disease or digestive disorders.

Emotional Symptoms

Stress significantly affects how a person feels. Emotional symptoms often develop when someone feels overwhelmed and unable to manage pressure. Examples include:

• Irritability or short temper – Even minor inconveniences may result in overreactions or bursts of anger when stressed.
• Feeling anxious or nervous – Stress can make a person feel constantly “on edge” or unable to relax. This can overlap with anxiety disorders in some cases.
• Sadness or low mood – Chronic stress may lead to feelings of hopelessness or disconnection from others.
• Overwhelm – A sense of “too much to handle” leaves individuals feeling paralysed or distressed about their responsibilities.
• Heightened sensitivity – Stress often makes people more sensitive to criticism or minor comments that they might ordinarily shrug off.
• Restlessness – Those under stress may fidget or have difficulty sitting still.
• Low self-esteem – Prolonged stress can cause someone to doubt their own abilities or feel inadequate.
• Loss of enjoyment – Activities that used to bring joy may no longer feel rewarding, causing a lack of motivation.

Recognising these emotional symptoms is key to offering people the right support for stress management. Encourage those you work with to express their feelings, as bottling emotions may worsen these symptoms.

Behavioural Symptoms

Stress changes how a person acts or reacts to their environment. Behavioural symptoms relate to patterns of behaviour that emerge during stressful periods. These may include:

• Avoidance – Stress may cause someone to avoid tasks, responsibilities, or social gatherings as they feel unable to cope.
• Social withdrawal – A person under stress might isolate themselves from friends, family, or colleagues.
• Changes in habits – This could mean drinking more alcohol, smoking, or turning to drugs as coping mechanisms.
• Procrastination – Stress may make someone delay tasks or leave things unfinished due to difficulty focusing or feelings of being overwhelmed.
• Increased accidents or mistakes – Being less focused increases the chance of errors in work or daily activities.
• Restlessness or fidgeting – People might tap their feet, bite their nails, or exhibit other repetitive behaviours when stressed.
• Loss of productivity – Stress can reduce efficiency and lead to missed deadlines or mistakes in work performance.
• Oversleeping or sleep avoidance – Sleep patterns are often disrupted because of stress, either through difficulty waking up or avoiding sleep altogether.
• Poor self-care – Personal hygiene or general day-to-day care might be neglected as stress grows.

Being aware of these behavioural symptoms can help you identify when stress affects someone’s ability to manage their day. It’s an opportunity to offer practical interventions to improve their wellbeing.

Cognitive Symptoms

Stress not only changes the way someone feels or behaves but also impacts their ability to think clearly. Cognitive symptoms refer to the way stress affects thought processes and mental clarity. Common examples include:

• Poor concentration – Someone experiencing stress might find it hard to focus on tasks or conversations.
• Difficulty making decisions – Stress can lead to overthinking or fear of making the wrong choice.
• Forgetfulness or memory problems – Forgetting appointments, tasks, or even everyday things like where they left their keys can be signs of stress.
• Racing thoughts – The mind may feel overactive, jumping from one thought to another without settling on anything meaningful.
• Negative thinking patterns – People under stress may focus on worst-case scenarios or imagine outcomes that make them feel worse.
• Lack of creativity – Under stress, the mind focuses on survival rather than problem-solving, reducing creative ideas and innovation.
• Self-criticism – Repeated self-doubt, questioning every decision, or feeling like a failure are common stress-related thoughts.
• Feeling detached from reality – In more severe cases, stress can lead to feeling disconnected from the world or “zoned out.”

When you notice these cognitive symptoms in someone, it’s important to encourage conversations about how they’re feeling and whether they’re finding life difficult to manage.

Why Understanding Symptoms Matters

Recognising the symptoms of stress is key to providing effective support as a care professional. Stress affects everyone differently, and multiple symptoms may occur simultaneously. Being attentive to these signs means you can take steps to support individuals before their stress becomes unmanageable or leads to long-term health issues.

Some ways to assist include:

• Suggesting relaxing activities, such as going for a walk or practising deep breathing techniques.
• Recommending they speak to someone they trust, such as a friend, relative, or health professional.
• Helping them break large tasks into smaller, manageable steps.
• Providing reassurance without minimising their feelings.

Monitoring your own stress levels while in a care role is equally important. Jobs that involve providing mental health support can at times feel overwhelming, so identifying symptoms within yourself will also help protect your wellbeing. Taking short breaks, delegating work where necessary, and maintaining a good work-life balance are all ways to reduce personal stress.

Stress can happen to anyone, and your role as a support worker enables you to make a huge difference by spotting the symptoms early and connecting individuals to tools or services that can help them cope.