The more obvious symptoms of excessive stress can include the following behavioural effects:
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poor concentration
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increased drinking of alcohol and/or coffee
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depressed mood
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increased smoking
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irritability
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inability to make decisions
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anxious behaviour
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inability to deal calmly with everyday situations
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withdrawn behaviour
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sickness absence that shows a pattern
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The less easily seen symptoms include the following physical effects:
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raised heart rate
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aching neck and shoulders
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increased sweating
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skin rashes
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headaches or migraines
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fatigue
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dizziness
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insomnia
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blurred vision
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lowering of resistance to infection
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Stress has been associated with the following ill health conditions:
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high blood pressure
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clinical depression
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heart disease
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anxiety including phobias
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alcoholism
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rheumatoid arthritis
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thyroid disorders
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nervous breakdowns
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stroke
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digestive problems
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ulcers
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Many of these symptoms could have causes other than stress and it may be difficult to establish a clear connection between a source of stress and a specific behavioural or ill health effect.