Understanding Stress & Distress: When Life Feels Too Much Healing Connections, Counselling- Nambour

By Amanda Baker | Psychotherapist & Counsellor – Teens, Individuals &  Couples| Healing Connections Psychotherapy & Counselling, Nambour QLD

Stress is something every human experiences. Sometimes it’s a small, passing moment of pressure. Sometimes it may build until it becomes overwhelming.

While stress is a completely normal part of life, prolonged or compounding stress can gradually shift into distress—a state where our mind and body struggle to regain balance.

 Trauma exposure can also cause distress – we will cover that in another blog soon.

At Healing Connections, I often support clients who are experiencing impacts to their relationships due to their stress responses (couples, parents, families, teens).

It can be a really confusing experience to navigate.

The truth is: there is no ‘normal’ way to respond to stress.

There is only your way—shaped by your lived experience, your nervous system, and what’s happening in your world.

This blog gently explores the difference between stress and distress, how stress shows up in the body, and what to look for before it becomes too much.

What Is Stress?

Stress is the body’s natural response to a challenge, demand, or change.

It can come from:

• emotional events

• work pressures

• family responsibilities

• social dynamics

• health challenges

However not all stress is negative – consider exercise, preparing for a meaningful event, or working toward a goal, which all create stress. 

Our mind and body operate best when they feel stable and balanced. This balanced state is called homeostasis—a sense of “I’m okay, I can manage this.”

Stress shifts us away from homeostasis, and our coping strategies are what help bring us back.

When Stress Becomes Distress

Distress happens when stress:

• lasts too long,

• layers on top of multiple other stressors, or

• feels completely outside our control.

  
  

Distress is not a personal failure. It’s a nervous system under strain.

When the body stays activated for too long, it becomes harder to regulate emotions, solve problems, or return to a sense of normal.

The Three Stages of Stress Breakdown

Wilkie (2022) describes three key stages that help us understand how ongoing stress impacts functioning.This model is incredibly helpful for noticing early signs before stress becomes unmanageable.

 Stage 1 — The Early Warning Signs

Common experiences may include:

• General anxiety

• A vague sense of dread or unease

• Feeling tense or on edge

• Wanting to withdraw

• Being easily startled

At this stage, you might still “push through,” but your body is signalling that something needs support.

Stage 2 — Emotional and Physical Fatigue

If stress continues, the body becomes tired and depleted.

Signs may include:

• Difficulty regulating emotions (anger, crying, irritability, or unpredictable laughter)

• Low motivation or mental fatigue

• Sleep disruption — one of the biggest red flags

Sleep deprivation makes emotional regulation harder.

New parents, shift workers, and teenagers (who often juggle poor sleep and inconsistent nutrition) are especially vulnerable here.

Stage 3 — Overload & Overwhelm

At this point, the body and mind are struggling to cope.

Signs may include:

• Heightened sensitivity to noise, light, or touch

• Feeling overwhelmed by things you usually tolerate

• A sense that “I don’t feel like myself”

• Illogical or impulsive decision making

• Difficulty communicating

• Becoming reactive, withdrawn, or emotionally shut down

This is often the stage where people may feel ‘not themselves’ and seeking support is important.

The Importance of Checking In with Your GP

Fatigue, low mood, irritability, and difficulty concentrating may also be caused by:

• thyroid issues

• vitamin deficiencies

• hormonal changes

• chronic illness

• sleep disorders

  
  

A holistic approach may be the most supportive approach to take.

Therapy offers a non-judgmental, steady space to slow down, explore what’s happening, and rebuild coping resources.

A Final Note

If stress has been building for a while, please know this:Your body is not failing you—it is signalling that it needs safety, care, and rest.

You deserve support.

You deserve space to breathe.And you deserve to feel like yourself again.

If you feel ready, counselling can be a gentle place to begin.

If you would like some extra support I am here to help you,

Ready to take the next step?

Click ‘ book now’ to secure an appointment with Amanda Baker at Healing Connections Psychotherapy & Counselling.

Book Now

📍 Healing Connections Psychotherapy & Counselling

Operating in Independent consultancy rooms within Sankofa House

39 Howard St, Nambour QLD 4560

🌐 www.healingconnectionsamandabaker.com.au

📞 0488 762 745

✉️ amanda@healingconnectionspsych.com

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Content shared here is offered to inform, reflect, and support connection. This is not clinical advice.

It is not intended to diagnose, treat, or replace individual care.

If something you read resonates or raises concerns for you, reaching out to a trusted health professional may be a supportive next step.