What we really mean when we talk about the signs of stress are the symptoms of someone who's overwhelmed and reaching the point where mentally they cannot cope with all the jumbled thoughts in their head.

At this point people react in whatever way they believe will bring them relief quickest. Many seek to run from their problems, some by drinking, smoking or drugs. Others will seek to blame others. Some will withdraw. Here are some of the signs that someone is stressed;

First there are the physical manifestations of the stress response.

Their heart rate will be much greater with a corresponding increase in blood pressure. They may display sweaty palms. And possibly they will feel their muscles tensing with a tightness of the chest, the neck, jaw and back muscles.

Often people who are stressed experience a headache. Some have digestive problems as the stress reponse shuts down the digestive system. So diarrhea and constipation are possible signs.

Another effect may be to cause a feeling of nausea or even possibly actual vomiting.

The pressure can affect the micro muscles involved in movement and so produce trembling or twitching. This can manifest itself in speech causing stuttering and other speech problems. In sleep it may cause teeth grinding ot jaw clenching.

Certainly the individual will have a dry mouth. Breathing will be affected, making it shallower.

Continued over time this will affect the circulation and can lead to cold hands, itching and chronic pain.

Being in a heightened state will make the individual more easily startled. Added to this the person will naturally find it difficult to relax sufficiently to sleep. Yet is also likely to feel fatigued.

The combination of problems mentioned above will over a protracted period lead to a lowered immune function and so increase the likelihood and perhaps severity of illnesses.

This may lead to skin disorders such as eczema and hives and so on.

The impact on the digestive system may lead to weight loss or conversely could lead to comfort eating and so weight gain. If it does cause weight gain it will be through the breakdown of muscle tissue, which has the effect of lowering long term metabolism. So in the long run, it is likely to cause weight gain when a normal diet is returned to. Stress can also cause sexual difficulties such as loss of libido and impotence.

They may drink or smoke more, which again will further weaken and damage the body.

Mental Effects of Stress

As the person is overloaded with fearful thoughts their capacity is stretched and so their memory will be impaired. They will forget things and also have trouble focusing on a task. In effect they are working with a fraction of their usual capacity.

With less focus they may take longer to complete tasks and so may result in longer working hours. It will be harder for them to make decisions, because they are more fearful and because their brain has less wattage to process thoughts. In other words they are less productive and may make more errors than usual.

Because work just seems like more effort to an already exhausted mind and body, they have less motivation and commitment. This may lead them to daydream and lose focus darting between tasks, thus reducing their effectiveness.

Effects of Stress On Relationships

There are also likely to be difficulties in relationships of all forms, thus adding to and exacerbating the already overloaded state.

There will be an increased sensitivity and moodiness. They may take offence or overreact at the slightest thing. Because their system is alrady close to breaking point, any additional mental pressure can literally be the straw that breaks the camel's back.

They may be more aggressive. Aggresion is a reaction to the perception that you are being attacked. In a distorted view of the world, they believe that they are being persecuted or attacked and so lash out to 'protect' themselves.

This may be verbal or physical. Road rage, air rage and so on are just the outer sign of great inner stress. Spouses and children may be snapped at or in severe cases even hit for the slightest thing. Not really for what they did, but because the Attacker cannot cope with any more pressure.

Some people are not given to aggressive outbursts. They may fear retaliation or don't like confronation. These will still attack, but in more subtle ways. They may sulk and withdraw their co-operation by following rules, but not fully giving themselves to their job, their relationship or whatever context they react within.

They may bitch and moan about the person or persons they blame for their situation. They may spread malicious gossip, post negative reviews, write or video slanderous allegations, report company's or individuals to various watchdogs or authorities.

They may criticise and attempt to sabotage others or their work. There may be personality clashes, temper oubursts, shouting or bullying or harrassment of others. Their presence can be depressing and aggravating to others. Their atitude can spread and influence others to become stressed and depressed.

Often people under great stress withdraw from the world. Sometimes by sleeping excessively. Other times by isolating themselves from friends and family. Sometimes they can 'go missing' from home or the workplace by finding a hideaway that they can retreat to.

They may start turning up late for work and leaving early. They may take excessively long lunch breaks. They may be sick more often. And even when they are in, they may avoid contact or responsibility. Showing up in person, but not there mentally or emotionally.