Stress can affect you both immediately (acute stress) and over time (chronic stress).

Tension is often the first signal of acute stress. Tense muscles are tight and feel "hard" to the touch. A tense mind makes you feel jumpy, irritable, and unable to concentrate. This could be your signal to do something about stress, both for your immediate comfort and to prevent the long-term effects of stress.

Symptoms of stress

Common symptoms of stress include:

• Rapid heartbeat.
• Headache.
• Stiff neck and/or tight shoulders.
• Backache.
• Rapid breathing.
• Sweating and sweaty palms.
• Upset stomach, nausea, or diarrhea.

You also may notice signs of stress in your thinking, behavior, or mood. You may:

• Become irritable and intolerant of even minor disturbances.
• Feel irritated or frustrated, lose your temper more often, and yell at others for no reason.
• Feel jumpy or exhausted all the time.
• Find it hard to concentrate or focus on tasks.
• Worry too much about insignificant things.
• Doubt your ability to do things.
• Imagine negative, worrisome, or terrifying scenes.
• Feel you are missing opportunities because you cannot act quickly.

Use this form to assess your stress style and examine how you physically and emotionally cope with stress. (What is a PDF document?)

Acute stress problems

Acute (short-term) stress is the body's immediate reaction to any situation that seems demanding or dangerous. Your stress level depends on how intense the stress is, how long it lasts, and how you cope with the situation. The body usually recovers quickly from acute stress, but it can cause problems if it happens too often or your body doesn't have a chance to return to normal. In people who have heart problems, acute stress can trigger an abnormal heartbeat (arrhythmia) and even a heart attack.

Life-threatening or traumatic events, such as sexual abuse or war experiences, can cause acute stress disorder or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). For more information, see the topic Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.

Chronic stress problems

Chronic stress can be the result of a host of irritating hassles or a long-term life condition, such as a difficult job situation or living with a chronic disease. In people who have higher levels of chronic stress, the stress response lasts longer. Over time, chronic stress can have an effect on:^{1, 3}

• The immune system. Under stress, the body becomes more vulnerable to illnesses, from colds and minor infections to major diseases. If you have a chronic illness such as AIDS, stress can make the symptoms worse.
• Cardiovascular disease. Stress is linked to high blood pressure, abnormal heartbeat (arrhythmia), problems with blood clotting, and hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis). It is also linked to coronary artery disease, heart attack, and heart failure.
• Muscle pain. People who are stressed often have neck, shoulder, and low back pain. This may be caused by constant tension in the muscle because of stress. Stress also affects rheumatoid arthritis.
• Stomach and intestinal problems. Stress may be a factor in gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), peptic ulcer disease, and irritable bowel syndrome.
• Reproductive organs. Stress is linked to painful menstrual periods, decreased fertility, and erection problems.
• The lungs. Stress can make symptoms of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) worse.
• Skin problems. Stress can make disorders such as acne or psoriasis worse.

Individual differences