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Common signs of a stress response occurring
After a traumatic or distressing incident it is normal to experience a range of stress related signs and symptoms. These occur because high levels of stress hormone flood our system at such times, and this creates changes in the body and brain. These changes also bring ‘side-effects’ – and so it takes a little while for our system to recover.
If you notice any of the stress signs and symptoms listed below, then it can help to check in every day or two and see if they are reducing in either intensity or in the number of symptoms you are experiencing. Recovery from acute stress can take a few days or a few weeks – depending on how impacted you were by what occurred, and how many other difficulties or stressors you may be dealing with at the same time.
Physical
Physical
- Chest pain
- Chills
- Difficulty breathing
- Dizziness
- Elevated BP
- Fatigue
- Grinding of teeth
- Headaches
- Muscle tremors
- Nausea
- Profuse sweating
- Rapid heart rate
- Shock symptoms
- Thirst
- Twitches
- Visual difficulties
- Vomiting
- Weakness
Cognitive
- Blaming someone
- Confusion
- Difficulty identifying objects or people
- Disorientation of time, place or person
- Hypervigilance
- Heightened or lowered alertness
- Increased or decreased awareness of surroundings
- Intrusive images
- Nightmares
- Poor abstract thinking
- Poor attention/decisions
- Poor concentration/memory
- Poor problem solving
- Suspiciousness
- Uncertainty
Emotional
- Anxiety
- Apprehension
- Denial
- Depression
- Emotional outbursts
- Emotional shock
- Fear
- Feeling overwhelmed
- Grief
- Guilt
- Inappropriate emotional response
- Intense anger
- Irritability
- Loss of emotional control
- Panic
Behavioural
- Antisocial acts
- Change in social activity
- Change in speech patterns
- Change in usual communications
- Erratic movements
- Hyper-alert to the environment
- Inability to rest
- Increased alcohol consumption
- Intensified pacing
- Withdrawal
Note: Any of the above symptoms may indicate the need for medical evaluation. When in doubt please contact a physician.
Acute Stress
All the signs and symptoms described above relate to ‘Acute Stress’.
This is an intense, fast and normal stress response to a specific event/situation where there is perceived threat to self or others. It is a normal reaction to an abnormal event. Acute stress is used to describe the normal stress-response experiences that occur within the first 4 weeks after a traumatic event.
To learn more about Acute Stress – go to the Wellbeing Hub and then select ‘Learn About Stress‘ and in there you will find a whole section explaining acute stress and the fight-flight-freeze-flop reactions we can experience.