Anxiety Stress Symptoms

Stress and anxiety are killers. They are linked to leading causes of death such as heart disease, cancer, accidents, pulmonary disorders and suicide, so the fact that nearly 50% of adults suffer from adverse health due to stress should cause concern. Not only are adults affected but also children and adolescents who, if not treated, will go on to develop potentially life-threatening complications later.

Are stress and anxiety the same thing? No, they are not but they are cause and effect. First of all, there is stress. Stress is the body’s physical and psychological reaction to a specific stressor – whether that is a mosquito buzzing around your ear, an out-of-control semi hurtling down the highway, an important exam or too many deadlines at the office. Other more subtle stressors include loneliness, social isolation and the feeling of a lack of control over events.

Stress Symptoms

A small amount of stress is a good thing as it spurs us on to do something well. When too much stress is a constant part of daily life, however, it can lead to problems. Stress triggers the body’s fight or flight reflex and this prepares the body for swift reactions in the face of danger. That’s very beneficial in the short term but this reflex was not intended by nature to be triggered every day all day.

Initially, at the dawn of mankind, these dangers were in the form of stampeding bison or marauding outcasts intent on stealing the kill of the day. Nowadays, the danger may also be physical but the stress that is the killer is the long-term relentless mental stress that activates the same ‘fight-flight’ response but gets no release when the enemy is sent packing.

By directing all the body’s energy to the heart and large muscles in preparation for fight or flight, there are not enough resources left for the brain and immune and digestive systems.  The result of this happening too much is that the immune system is weakened and the person is more susceptible to colds, flus and allergies. Similarly, ulcers, hypertension, kidney disease, addictions, fatigue, depression, lack of concentration and insomnia are but a few more effects of unrelieved stress on the body and mind.

Then there is Anxiety

Stressors come and go but anxiety is what remains afterwards. Anxiety is stress without the stressor; it is apprehension, uneasiness and fear of what the future holds.

The exam is done but you worry about the next one, even if it is six months away. The jobs at the office were completed successfully but you lie awake worrying about what the next day will bring.

Anxiety brings on another set of symptoms including:

  • Muscle tension and headaches
  • Sweating
  • Chest pain or palpitations
  • Breathing irregularities
  • Dry mouth
  • Shaking or trembling
  • Stomach pains or upsets such as diarrhea
  • Sexual dysfunction
  • Loss of appetite
  • Mood disorders

If anxiety is not dealt with, then it will lead to an anxiety disorder such as panic disorder, phobias, depression and generalized anxiety disorder. Stress and anxiety need to be taken seriously as they are deadly.