Physical Response and Consequences

Our body reacts to a stressor by accelerating the heart rate, dilating the bronchial tubes and coronary arteries, dilating the eyes, increasing the basal metabolic rate, contracting the muscles, increasing blood sugar, raising blood pressure, increasing the secretion of gastric juices and increasing mental activity. This puts us on hyper alert. If there is action to be taken or the stressor is short lived then the chemicals are used up or dissipate in a short space of time.
However, over a longer time it can have major physical and psychological effects. Subjective effects may include anxiety, aggression, frustration, guilt, shame, depression, irritability, bad temper, alienation, isolation, boredom, fatigue, poor self-worth and apathy.
Behavioural effects may include excessive drinking, smoking, eating, exercising or working, drug abuse, emotional outbursts, impulsivity, speech impediments, nervous laughter, inability to relax and trembling.
Cognitive effects may include difficulties in decision-making, inability to concentrate, memory problems, hypersensitivity to criticism, and mental blocks.
Physiological effects may include increased blood glucose levels which may lead to diabetes, high blood pressure, low blood pressure, increased heart rate, dryness of the mouth, excessive perspiration, dilation of the pupils, breathlessness, hot and cold sensations, muscular cramps, 'a knot in the stomach', 'a lump in the throat', 'pins and needles' and tics.
Health consequences may include coronary heart attack, chest and back pain, diarrhoea, frequent urination, tension headaches, migraine, rheumatoid arthritis, colitis, constipation, hay fever and allergies, peptic ulcers, menstrual difficulties, overactive thyroid gland, diabetes mellitus, skin disorders, depression, loss of libido and low energy.
Organizational consequences may include absenteeism, poor staff morale, poor productivity, high accident rate, frequent labour turnover rates, industrial conflicts and job dissatisfaction.