Resources: Quick guide to ... stress

1. There are times when a certain amount of physical and mental stress seems appropriate. Sweaty palms and raised heartbeats before an interview seem natural. It might be odd if someone wasn't obsessively preoccupied and unable to think straight before a big date. The trouble comes when those kinds of symptoms simmer in the background all the time. Or when they are caused by bullying or some other external factor that should be tackled.

2. It is hard to measure, but it seems that large numbers of young people experience negative stress. About 3.1 per cent of young women aged 13 to 15 have at some time tried to harm or kill themselves. Other less extreme symptoms of stress are becoming quiet and withdrawn, fatigue, headaches, lack of concentration, bad sleep and poor appetite.