First Signs Of Stress: Get A Checkup From Your Doctor

Regardless of how well you try to manage stress, there might be times when stress gets the better of you. You feel overwhelmed instead of challenged, as well as burned out, powerless, sad, frightened, vulnerable, irrational, and just plain numb. If so, then you (as well as 68% of the adult population) are experiencing stress symptoms.

Fatigue, headaches, asthma, a racing heart, nausea or diarrhea, insomnia, effusive sweating, and allergic reactions are all symptoms of stress, but they may mask those of an underlying disorder or signal the presence of any one of a variety of medical conditions.

Don't mistake depression, a psychological condition that requires professional intervention, for stress, even though they are closely related. Some stress symptoms like inability to sleep throughout the night, lingering exhaustion, frustration, fear, and continual feelings of sadness or powerlessness, may indicate depression. Various behavioral changes, such as drinking or smoking more than usual, crying more, gaining weight due to frequent eating urges, and increasing the use of drugs, can also signal depression.

David S. Bell, M.D., in his book Chronic Fatigue, recommends your exam cover at least the following:

1. The American Cancer Society's full cancer screening tests.
2. A complete blood count to detect chronic infection or anemia.
3. A sedimentation rate test.
4. A blood test that screens for a variety of medical abnormalities.
5. Test of routine chemistries to rule out thyroid conditions or problems triggered by arthritis.
6. A chest X-ray.

Depending on what symptoms you report, your doctor may choose to do other tests as well and may even refer you to a specialist for further testing or treatment, especially if stress is taking a toll on a particular bodily system.

You'll also want to be sure your stress symptoms aren't caused by drug interactions. Mixing mediations, including prescriptive drugs, over-the-counter mediations, and herbal preparations, without first checking for known interactions can cancel out any benefits the drugs are intended to give. In a worst case scenario, mixing drugs can be lethal.

If you have ruled out other medical conditions and are ready to enlist a doctor in your fight against stress, start with your primary care practitioner. Depending on the severity of your complaint, your doctor may recommend some form of mental health counseling or perhaps drug therapy.


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