Manifestations of excess or poorly-managed stress can vary widely. Excess stress induces headaches, leads to disturbed sleep, feelings of anxiety or tension, irrational and inappropriate bursts of anger and aggression, concentration problems, depression, lack of interest in food, increased or decreased appetite. In severe situations one can experience overwhelming stress to the point of so-called burn-out with extreme fatigue and loss of interest in normal activities.
Since research has shown that high levels of stress are known to exert a negative influence on our immune systems and other medical conditions, stressed individuals can experience frequent colds or other infections and illnesses. Most of our common modern day illnesses can be linked to ill managed and overwhelming levels of stress, often within a short period of time and also only manifesting after years of unrelenting stress.