What is the Stress Diagnostic?
The Stress Diagnostic is a tick-box list of known stress-related symptoms. The symptoms are divided into three categories:
- Physical Reactions – how stress manifests in our body
- Behavioural Reactions – how stress affects and influences our behaviour
- Cognitive and psychological Reactions – how stress affects and influences our mental functioning, thoughts and emotions.
How do I Use the Stress Diagnostic?
The idea is to read through the list of symptoms in the Stress Diagnostic and tick all the symptoms you have been experiencing in the past few weeks. The more symptoms you have and the more intense/severe they are, the more stress you are likely to be experiencing.
The stress diagnostic is just a guide. It does not replace the need for a professional opinion from a psychologist, psychiatrist or medical doctor, but it can be a helpful indicator that you are stressed and might need to seek professional help.
What a mental health professional will be looking for is a combination of numerous symptoms and the intensity or severity of those symptoms. It’s important to be aware of the fact that many of the symptoms in the stress diagnostic could be indicators of something else going on and one symptom on its own, no matter how severe, is not a good indicator of stress. For example, hair loss could be the result of genetic influence, hormonal changes, poor diet or medical treatment. Frequent unexplained headaches could be the result of dehydration or eye strain. Even a combination of stress symptoms could be an indicator of something else. For example, the symptoms of poor concentration, difficulty making decisions, loss or increase in appetite and sleep disturbances are also all symptoms of depression.
Can I use the Stress Diagnostic With Others?
Absolutely. By becoming familiar with the symptoms of stress listed in the Stress Diagnostic you will be able to recognise possible symptoms of stress not only in yourself, but in other people too.
Remember you are not trained to diagnose stress, but by talking sensitively about stress to others and sharing your observations with them you may be able to encourage them to seek their own professional help.
Please feel free to share the Stress Diagnostic link with others and let them do their own stress diagnostic. They may be surprised to see how stressed they actually are and be grateful for your help and concern.
Regards
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