Common signs of distress
The following are commonly expressed signs of distress. Some may be due to reactions to a specific event or cause, while others may result from long-term factors.
Academic
- non attendance
- consistent failure to complete tasks to deadlines
- poor academic quality of work submitted
- marked changes in concentration
- loss of motivation
- neglect of personal responsibilities
Physical
- looking pale
- perspiring excessively
- having breathing difficulties
- fainting
- muscular spasms
- obvious intense pain
- extreme fatigue
- complaints of sleep problems, or falling asleep in unexpected circumstances
- continual episodes of illness, colds, flu etc
Emotional and psychological
- being tearful
- sighing frequently
- appearing vague
- appearing confused
- experiencing high levels of anxiety
- panic attacks
- irritability
- unpredictable outbursts of anger
- displaying agitation
- displaying speech patterns that seem pressured, racing or confused
- sustained low mood
- frequent expressions of negativity
Behavioural
- avoidance of tasks
- withdrawing socially or verbally
- poor self-care and neglected personal hygiene
- being excessively demanding of others
- increases in impulsive behaviour
- talk of suicide
- violent acts towards self and/or others