What are some of the most common causes of stress?
Stress can arise for a variety of reasons. Stress can be brought about by a traumatic accident, death, or emergency situation. Stress can also be a side effect of a serious illness or disease. There is also stress associated with daily life, the workplace, and family responsibilities.

What are some early signs of stress?
Stress can take on many different forms, and can contribute to symptoms of illness. Common symptoms include headache, sleep disorders, difficulty concentrating, short-temper, upset stomach, job dissatisfaction, low morale, depression, and anxiety.

Is there any way to relieve stress?
There are many stress management programs that can teach you about the nature and sources of stress, the effects of stress on health, and personal skills to reduce the effects of stress. Examples of stress reducing skills include time management and physical exercise.

For more serious stress related disorders, like Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), research has demonstrated the effectiveness of cognitive-behavioral therapy, group therapy, and exposure therapy, in which the patient repeatedly relives the frightening experience under controlled conditions to help him or her work through the trauma. Studies have also shown that medications help ease associated symptoms of depression and anxiety and help promote sleep.

Source: Office on Women's Health - Department of Health and Human Services

Relevant Links

American Institute of Stress
National Center for PTSD
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder - National Institute of Mental Health
Stress - Medline Plus - National Library of Medicine
Stress - The National Women's Health Information Center
Stress and Anxiety - Medline Plus - National Library of Medicine
Stress at Work - National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health