STRESS
Ask five different people to define "Stress" and you will most likely get five different answers. While we may have different ways to express it, we can all relate to feeling overwhelmed or weighed down by the unavoidable stressors life can bring. It can effect us mentally, emotionally or physically. Our military community faces a variety of unique stressors such as deployment cycles, multiple relocations, and working daily in a combat environment.
Here are a few of the most common signs and symptoms of stress:
Mental Symptoms Memory problems
Indecisiveness
Inability to concentrate
Trouble thinking clearly
Poor judgment
Seeing only the negative
Anxious or racing thoughts
Constant worrying
Loss of objectivity
Fearful anticipat | Emotional Symptoms Moodiness
Agitation
Restlessness
Short temper
Irritability, impatience
Inability to relax
Feeling tense and "on edge"
Feeling overwhelmed
Sense of loneliness and isolation
Depression or general unhappiness |
| Physical Symptoms Headaches or backaches
Muscle tension and stiffness
Diarrhea or constipation
Nausea, dizziness
Insomnia
Chest pain, rapid heartbeat
Weight gain or loss
Skin breakouts (hives, eczema)
Loss of sex drive
Frequent colds | Behavioral Symptoms Eating more or less
Sleeping too much or too little
Isolating yourself from others
Procrastination, neglecting responsibilities
Using alcohol, cigarettes, or drugs to relax
Nervous habits (e.g. nail biting, pacing)
Teeth grinding or jaw clenching
Overdoing activities (e.g. exercising, shopping)
Overreacting to unexpected problems
Picking fights with others |
Combat Operational Stress
Our active duty service members have experienced a dangerous and stressful time. Even though they have returned home, they may now be experiencing, or may experience later, some strong emotional or physical reactions. This is very common, in fact somewhat expected. People do experience emotional aftershocks when they have witnessed or have been involved in highly stressful and life threatening situations.
Additional Information:
Combat Stress Brochure (PDF 460k)