The symptoms of stress

The HSE says that stress can show itself in many different ways. Changes in the way people behave could be linked with excessive pressures at work. The following short-term and long-term symptoms can all be signs of work stress:

• changed moods, anxiety, depression, negative thoughts and disturbed sleep patterns;

• changes in heart rate, increased blood pressure, “palpitations” and hypertension (high blood pressure);

• sweating, reddening, blushing, eczema and psoriasis;

• muscle stiffness and soreness;

• “butterflies” in the stomach, dry mouth and appetite suppression; and

• increased susceptibility to some infectious diseases.

Journalists’ union NUJ identifies common signs of stress as:

• irritation, anger and/or crying;

• feeling flustered;

• feelings of panic or “constant dread”;

• over-reacting;

• poor concentration;

• difficulty making decisions; and

• difficulty sleeping.

General union Unite explains that symptoms can be short term and include:

• anxiety, boredom;

• headaches, fatigue;

• indigestion, heartburn;

• dry mouth, lump in throat;

• irritability, depression;

• muscular tension, pain, difficulty sleeping; and

• dry skin and rashes.

or long term, and include:

• neurosis;

• insomnia;

• hypertension and chest pains;

• cough and asthma;

• gastrointestinal disorders, ulcers; and

• impotence in men and menstrual disorders in women.

“These lists are not definitive and because a symptom does not appear on them it does not mean that the particular illness is NOT caused by stress,” says Unite. “On the other hand, many of the symptoms shown are indicative of problems other than stress. Some might be problems for which medical attention should be sought as soon as possible, others might be problems caused by the physical properties of the work environment.”

The union adds: “Once the symptom(s) has made itself apparent, it can then be treated but this is not the end of the story. If the symptom only is treated and nothing is done about the underlying causes the problem will not go away, it will just be hidden from view, possibly to reappear in another form at a later date.”

The NUJ also sets out a list of workplace indicators that could imply that stress is a problem:

• high levels of absence because of sickness;

• high staff turnover;

• long working hours;

• workloads that are near-impossible to achieve; and

• an aggressive workplace culture.