Deadly Symptoms of Stress

While there are many signs and symptoms of stress there are certain ones that should never be ignored. If you identify or experience any of these then you should immediately consult a medical practitioner. These potentially deadly symptoms include:

• A crushing pain in the chest that also radiates down the neck, shoulder and/or arm. This pain can feel as if something heavy is pressing down on your chest and may be brought on by exertion or exercise.

• Sudden, unexplained changes in your bowel habits that could include unusual constipation or diarrhea.

• An erratic or rapid pulse for no obvious reason especially if this occurs when you are at rest or apparently relaxed.

• Suicidal thoughts or an urge to harm yourself.

• Being unable to swallow your food properly and feeling as if it is sticking in your throat.

While some of these symptoms can be explained away simply as the result of stress, others, and especially the first, should be taken very seriously indeed. A crushing pain in the chest that also radiates through the upper back, neck, arm or shoulder is a classic sign that you may be experiencing a heart attack. Sudden, unexplained changes in your bowel habits could indicate a number of diseases, including cancer, while suicidal thoughts are a clear indication that you need to seek an urgent intervention.

Along with these physical and mental symptoms there are a number of other situations in which stress can be considered to be having a dangerous level of impact upon your well-being and lifestyle. If these situations occur, it is likely that you need to seek further help.

All too often we underestimate the very real damage that stress can cause our emotional and physical health. Governments and health professionals alike now understand the true cost of stress in terms of lost working days and increased need for specialist care. We need to take stress just as seriously in order to prevent irreparable harm to ourselves and our loved ones.

Some of these dangerous and potentially deadly situations include:

• Relationships that are severely impacted by your stress symptoms.

• Feelings of inadequacy or hopelessness.

• Starting or increasing intake of alcohol or cigarettes or other harmful substances.

• Loss of libido.

• Lack of enjoyment in everyday life and activities.

• Feeling as if you have to struggle simply to stay on top of things.

If these situations are not dealt with then they may well lead to some of the deadly symptoms of stress outlined above. As they are severe in nature it is advisable to consult a health professional such as a counselor or doctor so that you may receive the correct treatment. This may include counseling, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, making the appropriate lifestyle changes and possibly medication. In almost all cases early intervention has excellent results, helping to prevent potentially life-threatening symptoms of stress.