Work problems
You have too many things to do at work but not enough time. This causes stress. Not liking your job or your colleagues can be stressful. Starting a new job or getting retrenched may also cause stress.

Health problems
Being hurt or sick can cause you to worry and feel stressed. Not getting enough sleep affects your concentration and can makes it difficult for you to deal with even simple problems. This can also be very stressful.

Good stress makes you work hard and do things well. We all need some amount of stress in order to function effectively and that amount of stress needs to be optimal for each individual. Bad stress or too much stress can have an adverse effect on a person leading to physical and emotional symptoms. This may also be accompanied by changes in the person's behaviour such as drinking excessive amounts of alcohol or taking tranquilisers.

Under chronic stress, the body's ability to cope eventually breaks down. The individual may suffer from physical illnesses such as coronary heart disease and hypertension as well as psychological problems such as depression and anxiety. Learning to manage stress will help you live a happier life.

• frequent headaches
• giddiness
• tinnitus (ringing sound in the ear)
• tremors
• heartburn or chest discomfort
• diarrhoea or constipation
  

2. Emotional and mental symptoms

• insomnia
• anxiety or fear
• depression or low mood
• tendency to cry
• irritability or being easily angered
• inability to make decisions
• inabilty to think through problems
• inability to solve problems
  
  

• Understanding Anxiety Disorder
  
  
• Understanding Depression
  
  
• Understanding Mental Illness
  
  
• Managing Stress
  
  
• Bipolar Mood Disorder
  
  
• Psychology Of The Elderly
  
  
• Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
  
• Dementia
  


• Generalised Anxiety Disorder
  


• Living with Loss & Grief
  


• Insomnia
  


• Alcohol and Your Health
  


• Benzodiazepines