Stress – Signs and when to seek help
Stress can manifest in many different ways, causing us to feel overwhelmed. It sneaks up on us when we least expect it and it can take its toll on our mental wellbeing. But while it may feel like stress is taking control of your life, there are many steps that can be taken to regain balance and find relief. Knowing what stress is, the signs of stress and understanding when help is needed will be integral for curbing its negative impact, especially as 4 in 10 adults worldwide reported feeling stressed over the past few years. If you or someone close to you is facing significant levels of stress, this article will provide information about warning signs as well as tips for seeking support from our experienced mental health doctors in Singapore who can assist with managing daily anxieties.
What is stress?
Stress is a natural reaction that can occur in response to challenging or unfamiliar situations. When faced with these situations, our bodies can produce physical and mental responses, which can help us adjust to whatever changes or challenges we’re facing. With the right amount of stress, it can actually be beneficial, helping us become alert and motivated. However, stress can become problematic when there are prolonged periods of stress, potentially leading to many physical, mental and emotional symptoms. It’s important to recognise the signs of stress in ourselves and others so that we can take steps to manage it in a healthy way.
Signs and symptoms of stress
Stress is a feeling of pressure or tension caused by a situation or a combination of situations. It can have physical, emotional, and mental symptoms, often leading an individual to seek out unhealthy behaviours in order to cope.
Signs of stress include:
- Unexplained aches and pains
- Feeling like your heart is racing
- Tiredness or experiencing difficulty in sleeping
- Headaches, dizziness or shaking
- Tense muscles and clenching of the jaw
- Stomach or digestive problems
- Being extremely sad, anxious, irritated and depressed
- Experiencing bouts of panic attacks
- Frequent and excessive consumption of alcohol
- Overeating or experiencing an eating disorder.
- Compulsive and excessive participation in activities
How to deal with stress
Stress can manifest in physical and mental symptoms that can disrupt daily life. Understanding your own triggers, source of distress, as well as the effects stress has on your body and mind, is a great place to start. To further aid in this process, speaking to an experienced GP doctor is a good place to start.. When you visit an Osler Health doctor, we always want to understand what the signs and symptoms of stress are. Stress can manifest in very different ways for different individuals. Depending upon your individual needs, the doctor may suggest therapy. Talking with a trained professional could help you find better ways of responding to stressful situations and become more aware of your own thoughts and feelings. With the right techniques in place, managing your stress levels will become easier over time. In addition, your doctor may discuss medication. There are various options and any options would be based upon your individual needs.
Take care of your mental health
Taking care of your mental health is essential for the maintenance of our well-being. This is why Osler Health has a team of trained medical professionals that are available at our family clinic to guide you or your loved ones dealing with stress in the right direction. Our mental health doctors are experienced in helping individuals struggling with depression, anxiety, and other psychological disorders. If you don’t know where to start please email or call us at Osler Health and we can make you an appointment. If you don’t wish to speak to a receptionist directly, you can simply Whats App us. When asked what the appointment is regarding, simply say ‘mental health’ and the team will allocate the right amount of time with the doctor – to enable you to talk through your situation. Osler Health provides convenient, personalised care that is tailored to each individual’s needs, making sure our patients receive the resources they need for a better quality of life. Contact us or make an appointment online today.
