1. Diet for Stress Management Slideshow
2. Take the Stress Quiz!
3. Tips for Exercise, Diet and Stress Reduction

Medical Author:

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, Chief Medical Editor

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, Chief Medical Editor

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, is a U.S. board-certified Anatomic Pathologist with subspecialty training in the fields of Experimental and Molecular Pathology. Dr. Stöppler's educational background includes a BA with Highest Distinction from the University of Virginia and an MD from the University of North Carolina. She completed residency training in Anatomic Pathology at Georgetown University followed by subspecialty fellowship training in molecular diagnostics and experimental pathology.

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Medical Editor:

Jerry R. Balentine, DO, FACEP

Jerry R. Balentine, DO, FACEP

Dr. Balentine received his undergraduate degree from McDaniel College in Westminster, Maryland. He attended medical school at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine graduating in1983. He completed his internship at St. Joseph's Hospital in Philadelphia and his Emergency Medicine residency at Lincoln Medical and Mental Health Center in the Bronx, where he served as chief resident.

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Stress usually first affects the emotions and causes psychological symptoms. Initial symptoms may include the following feelings:

• Anxiousness
• Nervousness
• Distraction
• Excessive worry
• Internal pressure
• Changes in sleep patterns

These emotional states can then begin to affect a person's outward appearance; the affected individual may seem

• unusually anxious or nervous,
• distracted,
• self-absorbed,
• irritable or angry.

As the stress level increases, or if it lasts over a longer period of time, a person may begin to experience more severe emotional or physical symptoms:

• Excessive fatigue
• Depression
• Thoughts of hurting yourself or others
• Headaches
• Nausea and vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Chest pain or pressure
• Heart racing
• Dizziness or flushing
• Tremulousness or restlessness
• Shortness of breath
• Hyperventilation or choking sensation

In most cases, these symptoms are very minor and don't last very long. If they become more severe or increase in frequency and severity, seek medical help.

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