How does stress affect you?

[ZZMum]

I have never really luckily suffered from stress but always imagined it to be a mental thing where I would feel panicy, verge of tears etc... I am currently in what I would consider to be a stressful time... heavy workload, ill IL's, increasing demands from kids, and other issues.. however, my body feels how I can only described as stressed... aching legs, bit shaky, feel a bit vacant and sick.. these symptoms are making me feel anxious which is obviously making me feel stressed but mentally I feel as in control of events as ever... can stress be physical?

i tend to get really snappy, tearful and have problems sleeping

When I got very stressed through overwork and travel I lost huge amounts of weight and my periods stopped (for four years) but I always slept at night

did you ever feel like you could collapse - that is how I feel and yet I know i won't if that makes sense?

In response to your question I think stress can definitely be physical before it becomes psychological and can lead to depression

IME, stress can have funny ways of coming out. You may feel perfectly in control but it comes out in physical ways. I've had problem hyperventilating before now, whilst otherwise feeling perfectly calm. My mum develop alopecia (sp?) Right now, I'm suffering quite a bit and getting the whole lot. What joy! I also sometimes find that after a period of stress, I get the physical symptoms when things have otherwise calmed down. All very confusing.

Oh yes I often felt like I could collapse. You can push yourself on and on and on IMO but feeling totally drained all the while.

Yes. When I am stressed I get a vague feeling of nausea. Always makes me think Im pregnant, so I go to the chemist, shell out, take the test, then realize am stressed. And the other thing is that I rub at my face in my sleep when Im stressed, and so end up with bad skin. I dont know how to cure that habit.

But pregnancy or a urine infection could cause those symptoms.

I get stress symptoms when I only feel mildly stressed - I get a rash on my elbows and if stress is higher, on my upper body too. Very rare this happens but I've noticed it over the last 18 months or so.

I also stop eating and become quite controlled about stuff.

yes stress often manifests itself in physical symptoms - don't ignore those symptoms, because long term stress is very unhealthy for your body.

I eat too much

thanks for this -- this is making me aware that I am probably stressed but avoiding the reality of it.. what are best ways of coping with stress when most of the causes can not be removed? ie IL's not going to recover, etc? Is it possible to cope with it?

It makes me consume alcohol in rather alarming qualities, usually with cigarettes to go with them.

If you are very overloaded you will need to think about offloading some things and taking better care of yourself. Remember that whatever the demands others are making upon you, you must stay well in order to fulfil them. How old are your children and can they help out

Stress can be physical and mental.

Aching legs could be from having tightening up your muscles - people tend to clench their muscles when they are tense, shakiness from too much adrenaline or like, feeling a bit vacant and sick, it could result from over breathing, verging on hyperventilating.

Sounds pretty much like stress to me. It can come out in different ways at different times. Some physical symptons are directly attributable to stress whilst others can be the result of an immune system which is suppressed slightly by stress so that you become ill.

If you take some time to relax you will probably find the symptons disappear, although, until the causes of stress are dealt with they may not disappear completely.

If you aren't sure and think there is something physically wrong it might be a good idea to go to the GP to rule out illness.

Alternative therapies such as reflexolgy could help with stress, also relaxation techniques such as deep breathing and visualisation. Hopefully someone will come along with more specific information.

Try some relaxation CD's if you have the time.

Alternatively, they say that exercise is good for stress. Even a walk would probably do some good.

thanks for this advice -- think it is stress and I need to address it before it really affects me more.. I think exercise is a good starting point as I do nothing at the moment - will also look at reducing workload... not sure I can cure IL's though...

thank you for taking time to answer....

I get snappy and terse with those I love and I find I crave solitude which I don't at all when I'm not stressed

I become inert and get a sharp pain in my stomach.

Issy - incredibly difficult, I remember that feeling . When I was signed off sick with stress I kept wanting to do all kinds of things and found it almost impossible to stay at home with my feet up.

Try taking lots of baths and lie around in a dressing gown doing pampering treatments... even get someone in to give you a massage/pedicure/manicure. It does help to wind down

Incredibly irritable, have lots of temper tantrums, cry a lot, headaches, gnawing feeling in stomach, feel everything is too much and I am drowing, can't sleep.

i eat

I agree with exercise helping to reduce stress - I know a few people who go running every evening to de stress themselves.