Stress affects different people in different ways.
Some people experience mainly behavioural or emotional effects, while others experience primarily somatic symptoms, such as skin disturbances, menstrual disruption, loss of libido, anxiety or palpitations, and sleep disturbances. Emotional aspects of stress symptoms include a feeling of anxiety or nervousness, tremulousness, panic attacks, feeling of depression or emotional exhaustion, lack of patience or anger. Behaviourally, there may be increased irritability, increased errors or decline in performance on daily tasks, such as at work. The stressed person may become withdrawn and unwilling to interact with others, in an attempt to minimize non-essential demands. They may become less tolerant of mistakes, inefficiencies or demands from others, including family members.