Symptoms, Causes & Consequences of Stress - Conflict Management, Human Resource Management | Human Resource Management - B Com PDF Download

Symptoms of Stress
There are numerous emotional and physical disorders that have been linked to stress including depression, anxiety, heart attacks, stroke, hypertension, immune system disturbances that increase susceptibility to infections, a host of viral linked disorders ranging from the common cold and herpes to AIDS and certain cancers, as well as autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis and multiple sclerosis. In addition stress can have direct effects on the skin (rashes, hives, atopic dermatitis, the gastrointestinal system (GERD, peptic ulcer, irritable bowel syndrome, ulcerative colitis) and can contribute to insomnia and degenerative neurological disorders like Parkinson’s disease. In fact, it’s hard to think of any disease in which stress cannot play an aggravating role or any part of the body that is not affected (see stress effects on the body stress diagram) or. This list will undoubtedly grow as the extensive ramifications of stress are increasingly being appreciated.

50 Common Signs and Symptoms of Stress
1. Frequent headaches, jaw clenching or pain

2. Gritting, grinding teeth

3. Stuttering or stammering

4. Tremors, trembling of lips, hands

5. Neck ache, back pain, muscle spasms

6. Light headedness, faintness, dizziness

7. Ringing, buzzing or “popping sounds

8. Frequent blushing, sweating

9. Cold or sweaty hands, feet

10. Dry mouth, problems swallowing

11. Frequent colds, infections, herpes sores

12. Rashes, itching, hives, “goose bumps”

13. Unexplained or frequent “allergy” attacks

14. Heartburn, stomach pain, nausea

15. Excess belching, flatulence

16. Constipation, diarrhea, loss of control

17. Difficulty breathing, frequent sighing

18. Sudden attacks of life threatening panic

19. Chest pain, palpitations, rapid pulse

20. Frequent urination

21. Diminished sexual desire or performance

22. Excess anxiety, worry, guilt, nervousness

23. Increased anger, frustration, hostility

24. Depression, frequent or wild mood swings

25. Increased or decreased appetite

26. Insomnia, nightmares, disturbing dreams

27. Difficulty concentrating, racing thoughts

28. Trouble learning new information

29. Forgetfulness, disorganization, confusion

30. Difficulty in making decisions

31. Feeling overloaded or overwhelmed

32. Frequent crying spells or suicidal thoughts

33. Feelings of loneliness or worthlessness

34. Little interest in appearance, punctuality

35. Nervous habits, fidgeting, feet tapping

36. Increased frustration, irritability, edginess

37. Overreaction to petty annoyances

38. Increased number of minor accidents

39. Obsessive or compulsive behavior

40. Reduced work efficiency or productivity

41. Lies or excuses to cover up poor work

42. Rapid or mumbled speech

43. Excessive defensiveness or suspiciousness

44. Problems in communication, sharing

45. Social withdrawal and isolation

46. Constant tiredness, weakness, fatigue

47. Frequent use of over-the-counter drugs

48. Weight gain or loss without diet

49. Increased smoking, alcohol or drug use

50. Excessive gambling or impulse buying

As demonstrated in the above list, stress can have wide ranging effects on emotions, mood and behavior. Equally important but often less appreciated are effects on various systems, organs and tissues all over the body, as illustrated by the following diagram.

Here are ways in which some key body systems react.

1. NERVOUS SYSTEM
When stressed — physically or psychologically — the body suddenly shifts its energy resources to fighting off the perceived threat. In what is known as the “fight or flight- response, the sympathetic nervous system signals the adrenal glands to release adrenaline and cortisol. These hormones make the heart beat faster, raise blood pressure, change the digestive process and boost glucose levels in the bloodstream. Once the crisis passes, body systems usually return to normal.

2. MUSCULOSKELETAL SYSTEM
Under stress, muscles tense up. The contraction of muscles for extended periods can trigger tension headaches, migraines and various musculoskeletal conditions.

3. RESPIRATORY SYSTEM Stress can make you breathe harder and cause rapid breathing — or hyperventilation — which can bring on panic attacks in some people.

4. CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM Acute stress — stress that is momentary, such as being stuck in traffic — causes an increase in heart rate and stronger contractions of the heart muscle. Blood vessels that direct blood to the large muscles and to the heart dilate, increasing the amount of blood pumped to these parts of the body. Repeated episodes of acute stress can cause inflam¬mation in the coronary arteries, thought to lead to heart attack.

5. ENDOCRINE SYSTEM Adrenal glands When the body is stressed, the brain sends signals from the hypothalamus, causing the adrenal cortex to produce cortisol and the adrenal medulla to produce epinephrine —sometimes called the "stress hormones."

Liver

When cortisol and epinephrine are released, the liver produces more glucose, a blood sugar that would give you the energy for "fight or flight" in an emergency.

6. GASTROINTESTINAL SYSTEM

Esophagus
Stress may prompt you to eat much more or much less than you usually do. If you eat more or different foods or increase your use of tobacco or alcohol, you may experience heartburn, or acid reflux. 

Stomach
Your stomach can react with "butterflies" or even nausea or pain. You may vomit if the stress is severe enough.
Bowels
Stress can affect digestion and which nutrients your intestines absorb. It can also affect how quickly food moves through your body. You may find that you have either diarrhea or constipation.
7. REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM In men,excess amounts of cortisol, produced under stress, can affect the normal functioning of the reproductive system. Chronic stress can impair testos¬terone and sperm production and cause impotence.
In women stress can cause absent or irregular menstrual cycles or more-painful periods. It can also reduce sexual desire.

Causes & Consequences of Stress
Also called occupational stress, work-related stress is a negative response (stress) that occurs in workplaces due to various demands or situations people find themselves in and not having enough resources to deal with it. Perceptions of loss and harm result in an individual’s stress response being triggered. Having inadequate coping resources is typically at the root of this reaction. The greater the emphasis on the consequences of failing, the greater will be the stress response.

Causes of Stress
Common causes of work-related stress include:

• Sudden deadlines or demanding job

• Harassment or bullying

• Stereotypes

• Gender discrimination

• Social isolation

• Work-home conflict

• Violence

• High risk jobs

• Unpleasant relationship with boss and/or co-workers

• Constant work contact

Factors such as the following impact one’s response to stress:

• Personality factors

• Level of job expertise

• Social support (family, co-workers & friends)

• Health status and disability

• Gender, ethnicity, and age

• Financial demands

• Life conditions outside the workplace

Signs and Symptoms of Stress
It is vital that you pay attention to signs of stress and take measures to deal with it effectively. Here are some indications of the presence of stress. Keep in mind that some of your symptoms may also be due to certain illnesses:

Problems with emotional health

• Mood changes

• Increased anxiety

• Depressed or pessimistic thought and feeling

• Low self-esteem

• Increased sense of irritation, sensitive or easily hurt

• Loss of motivation

Problems with mental health

• Confusion

• Concentration problems

• Poor memory

Problems with physical health

• High blood pressure

• Sweating

• Stress related rashes

• High cholesterol

• Muscle tension

• Sleep problems

Other behavioral changes

• More than normal absence from work

• Arriving late to work more than usual

• Changes in eating habits

• Increased use of drugs, alcohol, or nicotine

• Behavior effected by mood changes

• Changes in sleep patterns

Prolonged stress can lead to physical and mental illness. Therefore, it is important that you do not ignore stress symptoms for too long. Be sure to see your general physician and talk to your human resources manager or boss.

Consequences of Stress 
Stress itself is not necessarily harmful, but persistent and prolonged stress can be harmful. As seen in the below graphic, not all stress is bad. However, prolonged stress without adequate resources to help one deal with adversities can lead to harmful outcomes. Consequences occur at both the individual and the organizational level:
 

Individual Level Consequences

• Poor psychological and mental health outcomes (e.g., anger, depression, anxiety, posttraumatic stress syndrome, burnout, etc.)

• Impaired physiological processes (e.g., cardiovascular reactivity, elevated levels of various hormones, impaired immune function)

• Physical disease outcomes (e.g., hypertension, stroke, cancer, ulcers and gastrointestinal disorders, musculoskeletal disorders, migraine headaches)

• Detrimental behavioral outcomes (sleep disturbance; alcohol, tobacco, and illicit drug use; poor eating habits; intimate partner violence)

Organization Level Consequences

• Poor psychological and emotional outcomes (e.g., job dissatisfaction, low organizational commitment)

• Indicators of poor physical health (absence due to illness, workers’ compensation claims)

• Work-related behavioral impairment (injuries, poor job performance, on-the-job substance use)