As the doctor’s words, “she has Leukemia” ran through my head, the cloud of uncertainty and nervousness of the future consumed my every thought. What do I do? Who can help? Where do I turn? How do I take care of her? So many questions were running through my head. I broke out in a cold sweat; and started shaking; then the tears came.
The first step to controlling stress is to know the symptoms. Stress can affect all aspects of your life, including your emotions, behaviors, thinking ability, and physical health. No part of the body is immune. Because people handle stress differently, symptoms of stress can vary. Symptoms can be vague and might be the same as those caused by other medical conditions.
Emotional
- Drags
- Hurts
- Escape
- Hates
- Guilt
Physical
- Headaches
- Upset stomach
- Low energy
- Sweaty hands
- Back pain
Cognitive
- Inability to focus
- Constant worrying
- Forgetfulness
- Poor judgment
- Irritability
It is important to recognize the emotional and physical signs of caregiver stress. Learning how to identify the different stages of stress one goes through can help you to better manage both internal and external stressors.
If you have any of these symptoms, you may want to consider talking with a healthcare professional who can provide help and guidance.