It's probably fair to say that stress related illnesses and other problems associated with stress have reached pandemic levels in recent years. It is likely that almost everyone, if not everyone has been touched by stress at some time.

The pressures and strains of modern living, with all its expectations and demands have created societies riddled with stress and anxiety. Many of the effects of this stress invasion remain unseen, often until it is too late.

Although understanding of stress is increasing rapidly along with its treatments and management techniques, one of the main problems has been in diagnosing the symptoms. Many people are simply unaware that they are suffering stress related symptoms and in many cases, becoming ill because of stress remains somewhat taboo and embarrassing.

Symptoms of stress are many and wide ranging. At the one end of the scale, stress is often linked to more serious illnesses, especially where the symptoms are left untreated and unmanaged for long periods of time. More common, however, are minor stress symptoms which can subtly affect an individual's life in a variety of ways.

In the workplace for example, a lack of concentration or tiredness may just be dismissed as insignificant but it is possible an individual is showing the first signs of being "stressed". If people are not taught how to identify and manage stress then it is clear that job performance is likely to suffer. Multiply these results through numerous people and work output begins to suffer through absenteeism and individuals become locked in a cycle of fear, unaware why they may have become ill.

Thankfully, help is at hand, and stress related problems are now much higher on the priority list, both in the medical profession and work places. There is more information available now than ever before, so that stress related illnesses can be nipped in the bud or often avoided altogether.

Through the identification of what stress is and what can trigger it, it is becoming increasingly possible to contain, manage and control.

Stress management courses are now widely available for those who wish to learn how to identify and adapt when stressful situations inevitably arrive. Focussing on the causes of stress and the teaching of coping techniques, the courses are designed fundamentally to develop a deeper understanding of stress and how it affects the mind and body and enable individuals to begin to combat stress from the ground up.