O'DOCHARTAIGH ASSOCIATES 
STRESS SYMPTOMS
George W. Doherty, M.S., LPC
Check your activities using the following symptom lists.
They are broken down into a number of areas dealing with
various pathways in which Stress can develop. While they
are all inter-related, breaking them down and listing them
can provide you with methods for:
1. Identifying the stressors in your
environment,
2. Developing goals for stress reduction,
3. Developing an approach to reduce, adapt
or eliminate the significant stressors
in your life, and
4. Prioritizing which stressors to work on
first.
Using a multi-modal approach to stress reduction improves
your chances of being successful in your endeavor to reduce
your stress levels.
The acronym BASIC-ID can help you look at and evaluate your
environment and lifestyle on a regular basis.
B - What BEHAVIORS are you involved in that
contribute to your stress? - Physical Symptoms.
___Appetite change
___Headaches
___Tension
___Fatigue
___Insomnia
___Weight change
___Colds
___Muscle aches
___Digestive upsets
___Pounding heart
___Accident prone
___Teeth grinding
___Rash
___Restlessness
___Foot-tapping
___Finger-drumming
_________________________________________________________________
A - AFFECT - What are the emotional components
and feelings surrounding your stress?
___Anxiety
___Frustration
___The "blues"
___Mood swings
___Bad temper
___Nightmares
___Crying spells
___Irritability
___"no one cares"
___Depression
___Nervous laugh
___Worrying
___Easily discouraged
___Little joy
_________________________________________________________________
S - SENSATIONS - What are the philosophical,
existential, or spiritual components
contributing to your stress?
___Emptiness
___Loss of meaning
___Doubt
___Unforgiving
___Martyrdom
___Looking for magic
___Loss of direction
___Needing to "prove" self
___Cynicism
___Apathy
_________________________________________________________________
I - IMAGERY - What are the "pictures" or images
you think of that contribute to your stress?
___Unpleasant scenes
___Negative self image
___Bad dreams
___Intrusive thoughts or scenes
___Nightmares
___Recurring disturbing dreams
_________________________________________________________________
C - COGNITIONS - What mental activities or thoughts
contribute to your stress?
___Forgetfulness
___Dull senses
___Poor concentration
___Low productivity
___Negative attitude
___Confusion
___Lethargy
___Whirling mind
___No new ideas
___Boredom
___Spacing out
___Negative self-talk
_________________________________________________________________
I - INTERPERSONAL RELATIONS - How do your relations
with others contribute to your stress?
___Isolation
___Intolerance
___Resentment
___Loneliness
___Lashing out
___Hiding
___Clamming up
___Lowered sex drive
___Nagging
___Distrust
___Fewer contacts
with friends
___Lack of intimacy
___Using people
_________________________________________________________________
D - DRUGS and/or ALCOHOL - Do use, abuse, or misuse
of these contribute to your stress?
___Increased alcohol use
___Increased drug or medication use
___Increased tobacco use
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
1997
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, CONTACT:
O'DOCHARTAIGH ASSOCIATES
Phone: 307-745-1372 P.O. BOX 786
LARAMIE, WY 82073-0786
EMAIL:highplains140@usa.net
