Stress Symptoms

Students experience varying degrees of stress due to lifestyle adjustments that include moving away from home, increased responsibility, financial strain, different expectations in the classroom, etc. The following are some examples stress symptoms that many students may experience if their stress is not being managed well:

Physical

• Accident prone
• Appetite changes
• Colds
• Digestive upsets
• Headaches
• Insomnia
• Pounding heart
• Restlessness
• Tension
• Weight change

Emotional

• Anxiety
• Bad temper
• Crying spells
• Depression
• Irritability
• Mood swings
• Worrying

Mental

• Boredom
• Confusion
• Dull senses
• Forgetfulness
• Lethargy
• Negative attitude
• Negative self-talk
• Poor concentration
• Whirling mind

Spiritual

• Apathy
• Cynicism
• Doubt
• Emptiness
• Loss of meaning
• Needing to "prove" self
• Unforgiving

Relational

• Clamming up
• Distrust
• Fewer contacts with friends
• Intolerance
• Isolation
• Lack of intimacy
• Loneliness
• Lowered sex drive
• Resentment
• Nagging

* From Life Strategies Ltd. 2002