Symptoms of stress are as different as there are people suffering from it.

People generally suffer symptoms in one or more areas of their lives: mind, body and emotions.

Some common symptoms of stress are sleeping too much, fatigue, nausea, diarrhea, tight stomach, tight muscles, pain, moody, irritability, depressed, anxious, lack of sense of humor and being abrasive.

You probably don't know it but, stress has probably caused you a lot of grief already. The symptoms are frequently disguised as other problems.

The more dramatic the source of the stress, the deeper we bury it and the longer it will take to rear its ugly head. People sometimes suffer intense stress and take months or longer to show the signs.

Stress not only attacks your body, it also wreaks havvock on your mind. Depression and anxiety are frequent visitors to a stressed person's life.

Health effects of stress that are left untreated can play a role in circulatory diseases such as coronary heart disease, sudden cardiac death and strokes. Problems accumulate quickly when stress is constant.

A common source of stress is feeling trapped for economic reasons by a job that isn't satisfying or feels unstable. If you're faced with many demands at once, the natural result for many people is increased frustration and irritability.

Feeling overwhelmed by the demands life makes on you, feeling as if you cannot control life's events, these all gang up on you to increase stress.

Tension or cramping in your back or suffering from tension headaches or migraine headaches are other indicators of stress.

Specific things to do: Make your work environment comfortable and suited to your needs. Discuss problems with your supervisor or manager, and if difficulties can't be resolved, talk to your personnel department, trade union representative or other relevant members of staff.

Avoid alcohol or drugs as a way of coping, they only mask problems and exacerbate the issues later. Avoid making negative predictions about possible outcomes.

Certain personality types also tend to bring on more stress, and respond to stressful situations less effectively, such as perfectionists or those who are 'Type A'. Certain lifestyle factors and attitudes can be telling indicators also.