Do you know that you may be suffering from a chronic stress without even knowing it? It can creep up in your life and just stay there if you do not recognise it and do something about it!
Here are the most common signs and symptoms of chronic stress:
- Frequent headaches
Many studies have found that stress can lead to increased frequency of headaches.
One study of 267 people with chronic headaches found that a stressful event preceded the development of chronic headaches in about 45% of cases. Stress has been recognised as a most common trigger for headaches.
- Changes in appetite
When you feel stressed out, you may find yourself either with no appetite at all or overeating with no apparent reason.
One study of college students found that 81% reported that they experienced changes in appetite when they were stressed out. Of these, 62% had an increase in appetite, while 38% experienced a decrease or had no wish to eat at all.
- Acne
Acne is one of the most common and visible signs that stress often manifests itself.
When some people are feeling stressed out, they tend to touch their faces more often and this can also contribute to the development of acne. Few studies have proved that increased levels of stress are connected with the increased severity of acne.
For example, one study measured acne severity in 22 people before and during an exam. Increased levels of stress as a result of the exam were associated with greater acne severity.
- Frequent Sickness
Stress may take a toll on your immune system and can cause increased susceptibility to infections, so if you feel like you’re constantly battling with some virus or bacteria, your stress levels may be to blame.
- Decreased Energy and Insomnia
Chronic fatigue and low levels of energy can also be caused by prolonged stress.
Stress may also disturb sleep and cause insomnia.
One study with 2,316 participants, has shown that coping with a higher number of stressful events was significantly associated with an increased risk of insomnia.
- <liDepression
Chronic stress may contribute to the development of depression, one study conducted on women participants with major depression has found that the beginning of their depression was associated with both acute and chronic stress.
- Changes in Libido
Many people experience changes in their sex drives during stressful periods, mostly manifesting as decreased sexual desire, arousal and satisfaction.
- Digestive Issues
It has been proven that high levels of stress can cause digestive problems, like diarrhea, constipation, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).