Stress

Stress can be both positive and negative. It can spur us into action, or paralyse us so that we cannot cope and are unable to function.

Symptoms of too much stress may include any of the following:

Emotional

• Anger or snappiness
• Crying or shouting
• Depression or anxiety

Physical

• Increased alcohol/smoking/substance misuse
• Sleeplessness
• Constipation or diarrhoea
• Chest pains or palpitations
• Dizziness or sweating

When stress is dominating your life and there is no chance to switch off, it is time to seek help. Some people are unable to acknowledge the stress they are under and may unconsciously project it onto partners or children. Stress is a serious problem and can lead you into a vicious cycle of feeling stressed, so being unable to cope and therefore feeling more stressed. Once stress is recognised and understood you stand a better chance of learning to cope with it.