We all experience stress – it’s a normal response to life’s challenges, good and bad. But when stress begins to take over your life, it’s a problem.
Here’s how one person with stress described it:
“The worst thing for me was sleep – I would wake up at night with burning issues that wouldn’t go and kept me awake. I felt angry with it. And maybe because I was getting so tired I found it really hard to concentrate. There were so many things to think about and deal with. I was overwhelmed. My breathing sometimes felt staggered, like I couldn’t take a full breath in. And my blood pressure was up – I could feel it.
I saw my GP in the end, and she signed me off work. I learned some breathing exercises, and a yoga routine that really helped. And I cut out caffeine and alcohol even though I didn’t drink much anyway.
At the same time she did some tests, and we found that I had developed a heart condition. It may or may not have been caused by the stress – we don’t know. I had an operation on my heart, learned ways of dealing with stress, and I’m well now.”
The symptoms of stress are familiar to all of us but they can start to take over. Stress can affect you mentally and physically and it can affect your behaviour too.
If you’re stressed you might feel:
Stress can affect your behaviour too. You might:
If you’re stressed you make have physical symptoms such as:
At Private Psychiatry we often see people referred by their GP and for whom stress has become a problem. Picking up the phone to us can seem really hard, but we hope that the moment you speak to us you’ll feel reassured that we can help.
The symptom list above is based on Mind’s checklist. Mind also has excellent information about living with stress.
If stress is interfering with your daily life, relationships, work, or sleep and especially if you feel overwhelmed, anxious, or physically unwell, it’s important to speak to your GP or a mental health professional. Early support can prevent symptoms from getting worse.
Yes. Chronic stress can contribute to physical health issues such as high blood pressure, digestive problems, sleep disturbances, weakened immunity, and even heart conditions. Managing stress is important not just for mental health but for your overall well-being.
Simple techniques like deep breathing, physical activity, reducing caffeine and alcohol, mindfulness, yoga, and talking to someone you trust can be very helpful. For ongoing stress, structured therapy or professional support may be needed.
Yes. Stress can build up from smaller, everyday pressures such as work, family responsibilities, or financial concerns. Sometimes, underlying anxiety or unresolved issues may also contribute to feeling stressed without a clear trigger.
At Private Psychiatry, we offer assessments, evidence-based treatments, and personalised care plans for stress and related conditions. Whether you need therapy, lifestyle guidance, or medication, our team can help you regain control and improve your quality of life.
