Make a list of all the symptoms you are experiencing mentally, physically, emotionally, spiritually, and relational.
Nancy Loving Tubesing and Donald A. Tubesing have put together a Stress Exhaustion Symptoms Cehck list. Get a copy and take the test.
Here are some of the symptoms we experience when stressed:
Physical symptoms:
Weight gain/loss, appetite or digestion problems, headaches, constant tension in muscles, teeth grinding, restlessness, racing heart, cold hands and feet, always sick.
Mental symptoms:
Difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, bad dreams, lack of worth, negative attitude, poor concentration, forgetfulness and confusion, worry, underlying fear and anxiety.
Spiritual symptoms:
A loss of meaning and purpose, lack of joy, laughter or happiness in your life. Loss of faith, hope and peace. Cynical. Resentment and long standing grievances have replaced forgiveness. No church affililation or connection to people in a faith community. Little to no bible reading or prayers. God has been excluded from your life.
Relational symptoms:
Lack of friends, lack of intimacy, distrust, irritability with those around us, communication breakdowns, moody, anger, blaming and fault finding, misunderstandings, judgments, aggressiveness and ongoing tension.
We can probably find ourselves somewhere on each of those lists. But the stress may be mild or temporary. It is the things that continue and become chronic stress symptoms that we need to pay attention to. Is there a pattern? Is our stress connected in some way to how we think or believe ought to be happening? Is the stress that is causing you symptoms out of your control? Do I need to change my attitude and way I respond?
What on your list is the most troubling? Which ones affect you day in and day out? Which ones do you want to work on first?
In my next blog, I will give suggestions on ways to problem solve some of these trouble spots in your life and find ways you can reduce or eliminate them.
Marlene Anderson, MA, LMHC, NCC