Signs and symptoms of stress

On this page, we help students to answer the following question: “Discuss the signs and symptoms of stress.” This is a critical component of the Life Orientation Grade 12 curriculum, focusing on self-awareness and personal well-being.

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Quick Answer

How to Spot Stress:

• Physical: Headaches, racing heart, and constant tiredness.
• Emotional: Irritability, feeling overwhelmed, and sudden mood swings.
• Mental/Cognitive: Constant worrying, forgetfulness, and inability to focus.
• Behavioural: Withdrawing from friends, changes in appetite, or “procrastibaking” (procrastinating).

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Identifying Stress in Your Daily Life

In South African textbooks, stress is often described as a “silent” experience until the signs and symptoms become too obvious to ignore. For a matriculant, recognising these early is the key to preventing excessive stress and burnout.

1. Physical Signs (The Body’s Response)

When the “fight or flight” response is triggered, your body physically reacts to the perceived threat by releasing hormones like cortisol and adrenaline.

• Common Symptoms: Frequent headaches or migraines, muscle tension (especially in the neck and shoulders), and “butterflies” or pain in the stomach.
• Long-term Impact: If stress is not managed with effective coping mechanisms, it can lead to a weakened immune system, making you more susceptible to flu during the NSC examinations.

2. Emotional Signs (The Mood Response)

Stress often changes how a learner feels internally and how they react to others.

• Common Symptoms: Feeling unusually “on edge” or irritable with family and friends, which can lead to interpersonal conflict.
• Specific Issues: A sense of hopelessness, low self-esteem, or feeling like you are “stuck” in your career decision-making.

3. Cognitive/Mental Signs (The Brain’s Response)

This is particularly dangerous for learners as it directly interferes with study methods.

• Common Symptoms: Constant worrying, racing thoughts, and a “foggy” brain that makes it hard to stay focused when writing exams.
• The “Brain Freeze”: Forgetting information that you actually know well because of high anxiety levels during a test.

4. Behavioural Signs (The Action Response)

This is how stress changes your outward habits and routines.

• Common Symptoms: Changes in sleep patterns (insomnia or sleeping too much) and eating habits (overeating or loss of appetite).
• Social Impact: Avoiding social gatherings or networking opportunities, which can isolate the learner when they need support the most.
• Coping Risks: Some learners may turn to detrimental relationships or substance use as a “quick fix” for their stress.

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Summary Table: The 4 Categories of Stress Symptoms

Category	Typical Signs & Symptoms
Physical	Sweaty palms, shallow breathing, fatigue, chest pain.
Emotional	Anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, feeling lonely.
Cognitive	Poor judgement, pessimism, only seeing the negative.
Behavioural	Nail-biting, pacing, procrastinating on schoolwork.

Reference for Students:

• Subject: Life Orientation Grade 12
• Source: Focus Life Orientation Grade 12 Textbook
• Topic: Development of the self in society – Stress indicators.