12 silent signs of extreme stress and anxiety

We all have experienced stress at some point in our lives. Giving a conference in front of many people, meeting others for the first time, and taking an exam are some of the issues that cause stress. Experiencing a little stress may motivate us to try harder and perform better, but sometimes the stress level becomes more than normal and can adversely affect mental and physical health. One study found that 33 percent of adults reported experiencing excessive stress. We have decided to introduce you to the symptoms of anxiety. Stay with us.

Pimples and acne.

Acne is one of the most prominent and common symptoms of stress. Some people have a habit of touching their faces a lot when they are stressed. This issue can cause the spread of bacteria and the formation of pimples and acne. Several studies have concluded that acne may be associated with high-stress levels.

A study investigated the stress intensity of 22 people before and after the exam. This study showed a relationship between the level of stress caused by the exam and the severity of acne.

Another study of 94 teenagers showed a link between higher stress levels and worse acne, especially in boys. Acne has other potential causes, including hormonal changes, bacteria, excess oil production, and clogged pores.

Headache.

Many studies have concluded that stress can lead to headaches. A survey of 267 people with chronic headaches concluded that stressful situations contributed to chronic headaches in almost 45% of cases. A large-scale study found that increasing stress intensity was associated with an increase in the number of days participants experienced headaches each month.

Another study of soldiers found that they experienced headaches when they were stressed. Stress is the second most common headache trigger. Other common triggers include lack of sleep, alcohol consumption, and dehydration.

Chronic pain.

Experiencing chronic pain can be the result of increased stress levels. A study conducted on 37 adolescents with sickle cell disease showed that increased stress during the day was associated with increased pain on the same day.

Other studies have shown that elevated levels of the stress hormone cortisol may be associated with chronic pain. For example, one study looked at 16 people with chronic back pain. This study concluded that the hormone cortisol levels were higher in the body of people with chronic pain.

Another study of people with chronic pain found that these people had higher levels of the hormone cortisol, a symptom of long-term stress.

Note that these studies looked at the relationship between stress and chronic pain and did not examine other factors influencing this. Furthermore, it is unclear whether stress causes chronic or chronic pain causes stress.

Persistent illness.

Being sick frequently can be a symptom of stress. Stress can negatively affect your immune system and make you more susceptible to infections. In one study, 61 adults received the flu vaccine. The immune system of people who were chronically stressed showed a weaker response to the vaccine. This issue indicates that stress may weaken the body’s immune system.

In another study, 235 adults were divided into two groups of people with high and low stress. People with high stress had 70% more respiratory infections than those with low stress. Similarly, a review of 27 studies found that stress was associated with an increased risk of respiratory infections.

More human studies are needed to understand the complex relationship between stress and the immune system. However, when it comes to the immune system’s health, stress is only one factor that affects it.

The weakening of the immune system can result from an inappropriate diet, lack of physical activity, and suffering from some disorders such as blood cancer (leukemia or leukemia).

Decreased energy and insomnia.

Low energy levels and insomnia can be symptoms of long-term stress. For example, a study of more than 2,000 people concluded that fatigue is strongly associated with increased stress levels. Stress may disrupt sleep and cause insomnia, resulting in lower energy levels.

A small study concluded that work stress is associated with increased sleepiness and restlessness at bedtime. Another study of more than 2,000 people concluded that being in stressful situations was associated with an increased likelihood of insomnia.

Studies show this connection but ignore the influence of other essential factors in this field. More studies are needed before we can definitively claim that stress can directly cause a decrease in energy levels.

Other factors contributing to low energy levels include low blood sugar, poor diet, or hypothyroidism.

Digestive problems.

Digestive problems such as diarrhea and constipation can also be considered as symptoms of stress. For example, one study examined more than 2,000 children exposed to stressful situations. The results showed that the probability of constipation in these children was higher.

Stress may affect people with digestive disorders such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). A study showed that experiencing high daily pressure was associated with increased digestive problems in 181 women with inflammatory bowel disease.

Additionally, an analysis of 18 studies that examined the role of stress on inflammatory bowel disease concluded that there is a link between anxiety and gastrointestinal symptoms. However, more studies are needed to determine how stress affects the digestive system.

Remember that many other factors, such as diet, dehydration, physical activity level, infection, or taking some medications, can also cause digestive problems.

Change in appetite.

An increase or decrease in appetite is one of the most common symptoms of stress. You may have noticed that when you are stressed, you either have no or an increased appetite.

A study of college students concluded that 81 percent of college students reported that they experience changes in appetite when stressed. Of these, 62% of people experienced an increase in appetite, and 38% experienced a decrease in appetite.

A study of 129 people showed that exposure to stress was associated with eating without feeling hungry. When you’re stressed, changes in appetite can also affect your weight. For example, one study of over a thousand people concluded that stress was associated with weight gain in obese people.

Although these studies show a link between stress and changes in appetite or weight, more research is needed. Among other possible causes of appetite change, we can mention the use of some drugs, hormonal changes, or psychological problems.

Depression.

Some studies suggest that chronic stress may lead to depression. A survey of 816 women with severe depression concluded that the onset of depression was significantly associated with acute and chronic stress. Another study on 240 adults showed that high-stress levels led to depression symptoms in these people.

Furthermore, a study of 38 people with non-chronic depression concluded that stressful situations were significantly associated with the experience of depression. Studies have found this connection, but this does not necessarily mean stress causes depression. More research is needed on the role of pressure on the formation of depression.

Other factors affecting depression besides stress include family history, hormone levels, environmental stimuli, and even the use of some drugs.

Increase in heart rate.

Increased heart rate is another symptom of high stress. A study concluded that the heart rate increases significantly during stressful situations. Another survey of 133 teenagers concluded that participants experienced increased heart rates when they engaged in stressful activities.

Similarly, another study of 87 students concluded that there was a link between engaging in stressful activities and increased heart rate and blood pressure. Interestingly, playing music while exercising helped prevent these changes.

An increased heart rate may occur due to other things, including excessive caffeinated beverages or complications such as thyroid disease, high blood pressure, or specific heart problems.

Sweating.

Exposure to stress can lead to profuse sweating. A study of 20 people with the disorder “hyperhidrosis” (excessive sweating) examined the participants’ stress levels during the day. The results of this study showed that stress and exercise significantly increased sweating.

Another study on 40 teenagers concluded that exposure to stress was associated with increased sweating and odor. Excessive sweating can also occur due to anxiety, thyroid disease, or certain medications.

Hair loss.

It is normal to lose a few strands of hair every day because, over time, old hair follicles are replaced by new ones. Stress can cause severe hair loss. Extreme pressure causes the body’s immune system to attack the hair follicles, which causes hair loss.

If you have hair loss caused by stress, you should try to reduce your stress level with the available techniques. Once your focus is gone, your hair growth will return to normal.

Urticaria.

If you suddenly develop red, itchy bumps, stress could be the cause. When the body experiences a lot of stress (for a short or long period), the immune system weakens, and the body starts releasing histamine to fight diseases.

If the stress is not relieved, you will develop hives. When the immune system is weakened, the skin can be irritated by things like soap, cold or heat, lotions, and laundry detergents that it was never sensitive to. To treat this problem, put a cool, wet towel on the affected area. If the hives do not go away, take an antihistamine.

Stress can cause problems such as low energy levels, headaches, and chronic pain. Fortunately, there are many ways to manage stress. For example, you can do yoga, meditation, or relaxing music.