Stress is a normal part of daily life. In fact, the right amount of short-term stress can be of great benefit to your performance, even your enjoyment and satisfaction in life and work.
Chronic stress, however, comes with a host of problems—some physical and some psychological. It can lead to disturbed sleep, low energy and mood, increased irritability, physical aches and pains, digestive problems, loss of interest in sex, and a host of other, equally unpleasant things.
Our stress levels tend to stay elevated for extended periods, so we get used to it, and even accommodate it. Unfortunately, that familiar malaise can let much more serious conditions sneak up on us.
Is it all just stress?
Do you find yourself feeling:
- Fatigue?
- Irritability?
- Loss of appetite or excessive appetite?
- Loss of interest in things you once found enjoyable?
- persistent feelings of sadness, worthlessness, hopelessness or guilt?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, what you’re describing may actually be depression. We think of depression in terms of feelings of sadness, but it is often irritability and a loss of motivation that are the defining features. Depression can be a serious medical condition, with lasting consequences if untreated.
Read more about depression and its treatment.
Or, do you find yourself experiencing:
- Extended or excessive worry about the future, about possible consequences, or about the thoughts of others?
- Nervousness, loss of appetite, irritability, or difficulty sleeping?
- Repeated, or invasive thoughts of past events?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, you may be experiencing excessive anxiety. Much like stress, a certain amount of short-term anxiety can be good for you. Also like stress, chronic or excessive anxiety can cause health problems and create havoc in your life and your relationships.
In research trials, men frequently label anxiety and depression symptoms as stress.
This represents a difference in how men are conditioned to perceive themselves and to communicate (or not communicate) their distress. Unfortunately, labeling something as stress can lead to a delay in seeking help due to falsely attributing the symptoms to an exterior or time-limited source.
Depression and anxiety can prevent you from fully engaging with your life, robbing you of years worth of opportunities for joy, wonder, happiness and satisfaction. You can, however, create the change you need by changing the your relationship with these emotions. Mindfulness training and mindfulness-based counseling have been shown not only to provide relief from many symptoms, but to create the resiliency and flexibility needed to create lasting change.
Other medical conditions, some very serious, can appear as or be masked by stress. I always recommend my clients consult with a physician, have a physical and do any recommended blood work as part of their self-care.
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