Stress may be a regular part of everyday life, but at what point does stress and fatigue become too much for someone?
Stress has sometimes been cited as being positive – it may be experienced at the start of a new job, for example, or may serve to protect us from some harmful situations. Stress becomes problematic when it becomes a regular occurrence or if it has a noticeable effect on someone’s daily routines. If your stress is chronic it may lead to long-term consequences.
Why Is It Not Always Possible to Diagnose Stress and Fatigue?
There are a variety of symptoms that can be attributed to stress. People may experience an increase or decrease in their appetite, or they may have trouble sleeping. However, these symptoms may sometimes be tied to other causes.
People may also respond differently to stress. How one person reacts to it may not be the same as someone else. There may also be certain factors, including one’s culture, that could affect how stress manifests itself.
There may not always be a one-size-fits-all approach for diagnosing, treating or managing stress.
The Importance of Accurate Diagnostics
The truly diverse array of potential sources and symptoms make diagnosing and managing problematic stress complicated. Misdiagnosing stress or inaccurately attributing certain symptoms to stress can be dangerous for patients. If your doctor blames stress for your loss of appetite when in fact
it is attributable to hypothyroidism or gastrointestinal issues, you might not receive the treatments you need.
Conversely, if your doctor misdiagnosis you based on symptoms that are actually being caused by stress, you might be needlessly prescribed powerful pharmaceuticals with a laundry list of side effects.
If you suspect your symptoms are being caused by stress, visiting doctors experienced in wellness care is often your best course of action. At Optimum Health Rehab, we can perform a number of diagnostic panels and thorough examinations to rule out injury and pinpoint the root cause of your symptoms.
The Effects of Stress and How You Can Cope
Approximately 43 percent of adults are living with chronic stress-related health conditions. For many adults with children or high-pressure careers, stress may an unavoidable part of life. However, lifestyle changes and healthy coping mechanisms can help you reduce stress. Its impact on your life can potentially be managed or somewhat mitigated with natural solutions.
Some people may prefer exercising to relieve stress, whereas some may prefer conversing and spending time with a friend or a loved one. Patients often find relief through the use of different breathing techniques or aromatherapy. The key in stressful situations is to recognize their potential impact and to be proactive about minimizing their effects on you.
Some people, however, may run into trouble if they have ineffective coping mechanisms for handling stress. Using gambling, alcohol or drugs as a crutch to manage chronic stress may lead to consequences far worse than the stress itself.
There may also be some symptoms of stress that could become chronic conditions. Trouble eating or sleeping due to stress may lead to the development of eating disorders or insomnia. Pre-existing conditions, like asthma, might also be exacerbated by certain symptoms of stress, like inflammation and shortness of breath.
Stress may find its way into different environments. People who are chronically stressed may report feeling anxious or depressed and may withdraw from those closest to them.
Stress also has measurable impacts on society. A recent European Agency for Safety and Health at Work (EU-OSHA) study estimated stress cost European businesses more than $300 billion annually due to effects like:
- Absenteeism
- Presenteeism
- Reduced productivity
- Employee turnover
People who are chronically stressed may believe they have nowhere else to turn. They might feel alienated from their loved ones, sink into depression or look for solace in self-destructive pursuits.
Chronic Stress