Stress: Symptoms of a Workplace Killer

by Shirley Anderson

Stress in the workplace is a real and palpable thing. Most people experience it periodically throughout the span of their careers, but some have problems coping, or fall into a stressful rut they can’t see their way out of. This can be due to missing the signs meant to alert that their sense of calm is being compromised longer, or in a more extreme way than the mind and body can comfortably handle. It is important to deal with work stress as soon as it makes it presence known in order to avoid debilitating repercussions.

The following list is by no means complete as stress affects everyone differently, but is a compilation of the most common symptoms.

1. Loss of the ability to concentrate. Focusing on tasks becomes difficult because your mind is stuck on problems, missed deadlines, performance fears, etc. Stress has already begun to affect life at this stage.

2. Insomnia or loss of ability to sleep through the night. Other sleep disorders such as nightmares and sleep walking may also arise. The result is an exhausted and frazzled system. A healthy mind and body connection starts to deteriorate if the introduction of stress management techniques are not employed.

3. Running against the clock. There is a constant feeling of not having enough time to get everything done.Usually, at this point, a person suffering from work strain can’t or won’t take the time to evaluate and deal with the problem, and the stress escalates.

4. Anxiety, which can happen in sporadic attacks, or become chronic.

5. Depression, usually accompanied by a sense of helplessness regarding their situation. This is essentially a white flag of surrender, and the stressed worker is unable to see a way out of the pressure cooker.

6. Substance abuse is a fairly common symptom as people desperately seek a means of stress relief for their minds and body. Without the intervention of dealing with the core stressors, this can become a lifetime norm.

7. Anger and frustration in explosive bouts, or which is uncharacteristic, may be signalling overload.

8. Onset of physical symptoms, which can become chronic without stress reduction, or if they are left untreated for too long. Headaches, stomach and back problems, and heart conditions are common ailments arising from too much or prolonged work stress.

9. Avoidance of stressors in the form of absenteeism.

10. The final symptom is burnout. It is the breaking point on all levels – mental, physical, spiritual, and emotional – and usually results in a stress leave from work. This is the critical stage of work stress and cannot be ignored.

If you are experiencing any of the above symptoms, please see your doctor and get help as soon as possible. Stress affects not only you, but your relationships, your marriage, your children. If you can’t learn stress management for yourself, please do it for your loved ones.

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Shirley Anderson is a freelance writer based in Canada. To see more of her work, visit www.buymywriting.com.
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