Study Abroad Handbook

Symptoms of Stress: Many emotions and reactions are to be expected when you are stressed. Some common manifestations of stress are:

-Irritability over small things

-Difficulty concentrating

-Difficulty falling/staying asleep

-Queasy stomach

-Desire to run away

-Constant feeling of tiredness

-Psychosomatic illness

-Excessive criticism of others

-Poor work performance

-Difficulty making decisions

-Being unusually introspective

-Feelings of guilt, worry, anxiety You should also be aware of the signs of a serious problem, either in yourself or in a fellow student, that require immediate intervention. These signs may include:

-Prolonged depression

-Marked changes in eating or sleeping patterns

-Self-destructive or violent behavior

-Excessive anxiety that interferes with the ability to function

-Alcohol or substance abuse

-Failure to comply with medical recommendations Dealing with Stress: In dealing with the routine stress symptoms described in the first section above, you may find it helpful to think about the coping strategies that have worked for you in the past and may also want to develop some new strategies.