Stress
Stress is how we react when we feel under pressure or threatened. It usually happens when we are in a situation that we don't feel we can manage or control.
Why am I getting stressed?
Stress is how we react when we feel under pressure or threatened. It usually happens when we are in a situation that we don’t feel we can manage or control. When we experience stress, it can be as:
- An individual, for example when you have lots of responsibilities that you are struggling to manage
- Part of a group, for example if your family is going through a difficult time, such as bereavement or financial problems
- Part of your community, for example if you belong to a religious group that is experiencing discrimination
- A member of society, for example during natural disasters or events like the coronavirus pandemic
If you feel stress as part of a bigger group, you may all experience it differently. This can happen even if the cause of your stress is the same.
Stress can affect our emotions, our body and how we behave, in lots of different ways. Sometimes when we are stressed, we might be able to tell right away. But at other times, we might keep going without recognising the signs.
Signs and symptoms of stress
- Irritable, angry, impatient or wound up
- Over-burdened or overwhelmed
- Anxious, nervous or afraid
- Like your thoughts are racing and you can’t switch off
- Unable to enjoy yourself
- Depressed
- Uninterested in life
- Like you’ve lost your sense of humour
- A sense of dread
- Worried or tense
- Neglected or lonely
- Existing mental health problems getting worse
Some people who go through severe stress may experience suicidal feelings. This can be very distressing.
If you feel unable to keep yourself safe, it’s a mental health emergency.
Physical signs of stress
The hormones that our bodies produce to respond to stressful situations can have many physical effects. These effects might include:
- Diffculty breathing
- Panic attacksBlurred eyesight or sore eyes
- Sleep problems
- Fatigue
- Muscle aches and headaches
- Chest pains and high blood pressure
- Indigestion or heartburn
- Constipation or diarrhoea
- Feeling sick, dizzy or fainting
- Sudden weight gain or weight loss
- Developing rashes or itchy skin
- Sweating
- Changes to your period or menstrual cycle
- Existing physical health problems getting worse
If we experience high levels of stress, these physical effects can get worse. This can also happen if we experience stress for a long period of time.
Find the best solution for you
If you are not sure what treatments are for you then search your current symptoms to find the right treatment for you.
Regulated by The Care Quality Commission
A modern and private independent healthcare clinic focusing on feMale health. We operate by appointment only to ensure a discreet and confidential service for our patients.
The British Menopause Society
Not all clinics and doctors are recognised as specialists by The British Menopause Society (BMS), the authority for menopause and post-menopausal health in the UK.
