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4.1 Physical Diseases and Problems Due to Stress

Most of the attention and the basic research over the years has been devoted to the impact that stress has on the physical health. Research has shown that chronic stress lowers resistance to illness and intensifies its impact. The impact of stress depends on the severity and duration of the pressure and the own vulnerability to it. Prolonged stress can often lead to particular physical response depending on the point of weakness (Cranwell-Ward, 1987, p.79)

Some stressors related illnesses are killers, other physical effects are less severe. A high level of stress is accompanied by high blood pressure and high level of cholesterol may even result in heart disease, ulcers, and arthritis. There may even be a possible link between stress and cancer (Cranwell – Ward, 1987, p.79; Luthans, 1992, p.411). Figure 4.3 illustrates the stress – illness relationship (Through. Taylor, 1999, page 204).

Obviously, not all these diseases can be directly linked to stress; environmental conditions and the person’s general state of health, heredity and medical history can also contribute. However, there seems to be enough evidence that stress can and does contribute to this dreaded disease and to other physical problems as well (Luthans, 1992, p.411).

The list of stress related illnesses and problems include:

Mouth

- Ulcers

Cardiovascular system

- Heart attack

- Palpitations

- Hypertension (high blood pressure)

- Angina

- Migraine

- Hamorrhoids

Digestive tract

- Colic

- Diarrhea /constipation

- Ulcers

- Diabetes

Reproductive organs

- Premenstrual tension (f)

- Impotence (m)

- Menstrual disroders (f)

Lungs

- Asthma

- Coughs

- Dizziness

- Fainting

- Breathlessness / Breathing difficulties

Hair

- Alopecia

Skeletal – muscular system

- Muscular twitches

- Back –ache

- Neck-ache

- Tension headache

- Arthritis

- Gnashing of teeth

Bladder

- Irritability and need to urinate frequently

Skin

- Eczema

- Psoriasis

4.2 Psychological and Behavioral Problems Due to Stress

While considerable attention has been given to the relationship between stress and physical health especially within the medical community, not as much has been given to the impact of stress on mental health (Luthans, 1992, p.412; Yousef 2000 a,b,c). Now we think that psychological problems that resulting from stress is very important like physical ones if not more. The list of stress-related psychological and behavioral disorders and problems include:

- Anxiety

- Depression

- Anger and aggression

- Irritability and fatigue

- Nervousness

- Tension and boredom

- Severely lowered self esteem

- Loss of concentration

- Forgetfulness or impaired memory

- Panic-attacks

- Chronic indecisiveness

- A variety of phobias

- Tics

- Impatience with self and others

- Frustration and worry

- Proneness to accidents

- Inability to relax and hyperactivity

- Irrational decisions and impulsive behavior

- Undereating and overeating

- Sleeplessness or insomnia

- Increased smoking and drug abuse

(Cranwell – Ward, 1987, p.8; Dore, 1990, p. 9-15).

We must recognize, here, that stress has a dual negative role. On one hand, it contributes, as we already have shown, in many and many physical and psychological illnesses and problems which need a big efforts and financial resources to be reduced and managed. On the other hand, those ill and maladjusted people cannot do their work as good as it should be, so they can be considered a waste and this cost the organizations and institutions more and more. Stress, related to physical and mental health disorders, account for an enormous and growing percentage of disability and social security payments to workers. Raining in these substantial costs to the economy has become an important priority (Through : Taylor, 1999, p.194). It is not surprising, therefore, that a large body of literature has examined the causes and consequences of occupational stress.