Stress is often rooted in deeper underlying mental health disorders. Stress can both result from and contribute to mental health conditions. Conditions like anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can lead to persistent stress and worry. Stress can also be a contributing factor to those conditions. 

Stress is not always connected to an existing condition, though; it can also arise due to external circumstances. College can come with many external stressors. As a college student, you may stress about classes, relationships, social group obligations and more. This stress can have a significant impact on your mental well-being. Learning more about the impact of stress on your mental health can help you identify symptoms and seek treatment when needed.

What are the key signs of stress affecting mental health? 6 top indicators

• Trouble sleeping — Stress tends to affect sleep patterns. One 2024 study found that stress affects sleep through rumination. When you’re feeling stressed, you’re more likely to ruminate in bed. You might think about school-related issues or personal relationship challenges when you’re trying to fall asleep. This can prevent a smooth transition into sleep. If you’re finding it hard to fall asleep or stay asleep due to stress, finding a solution is important. Sleeping problems often lead to further mental health symptoms. When you’re not getting enough sleep, your mood and energy levels will likely suffer. Lack of sleep may exacerbate your stress, which can lead to a cycle of worsening stress and fatigue. Finding ways to reduce your stress can be essential to restoring healthy sleeping habits.
• Irritability — When you’re experiencing stress, you might have a harder time regulating your emotions. Your feelings may feel more raw and closer to the surface. This is because stress affects the parts of your brain that help process your emotions. When you’re stressed, you might find yourself becoming easily annoyed. You might get frustrated at things that wouldn’t usually bother you, and you may notice your mood shifting frequently. It’s important to recognize the role that stress plays in these emotional fluctuations. Understanding that your irritation may largely be due to stress can help you take a step back and reevaluate your feelings. If you want to improve your overall emotional regulation, professional treatment can help. A licensed clinical therapist can help you address your stress and any resulting mental health symptoms.
• Burnout — Stress can be exhausting. When you’re stressed, you may feel like every responsibility is overwhelming. If you’re feeling constantly overwhelmed, even by smaller tasks, it might be a sign that stress is taking a toll on your mental health. Left untreated, this sense of being overwhelmed may lead to burnout. Burnout is a syndrome resulting from chronic workplace (or academic) stress that has not been successfully managed. It is characterized by feelings of energy depletion, increased mental distance from one’s work and reduced professional efficacy. Burnout can have a major negative impact on your learning and grades. To avoid burnout, it’s important to have a healthy, balanced routine. Your therapist can help you build a routine that promotes self-care and limits stress.
• Concentration issues — If you’re having trouble concentrating, stress could be the cause. Stress can lead to concentration difficulties and brain fog. After being stressed for an extended period of time, you may have a hard time concentrating on anything. It may be difficult to focus on school assignments, conversations or even your own hobbies. If stress has started to affect your concentration and academic performance, seeking treatment can be vital.
• Physical discomfort — Persistent stress doesn’t just affect your brain — it can affect the rest of your body as well. When you’re experiencing chronic stress, you may experience symptoms such as headaches, muscle tension, elevated blood pressure, appetite changes and stomachaches. Physical symptoms are a clear indication that you’re experiencing excessive stress. Comprehensive mental health treatment can be key to relieving your physical discomfort.
• Difficulty relaxing — Stress can make relaxing feel impossible. This can be among the most frustrating effects of stress, as taking time to relax tends to be one of the best ways to reduce stress. If you feel unable to de-stress, mental health treatment may be necessary. Chronic, unwavering stress tends to be connected to something deeper. The cause of your stress could be generalized anxiety disorder or another anxiety-related condition, or the stress could contribute to the development of anxiety disorders. Your treatment provider can help identify your condition, enabling you to receive care tailored to your specific needs.

Manage your stress and anxiety with help from Lightfully U

Lightfully U offers top-notch virtual outpatient mental health treatment for college students aged 18-25. Our deeply compassionate experts have experience treating a range of conditions, including stress and anxiety. Everything we do consists of data-driven, whole-person-centered care. 

Change is possible. When you’re ready to get professional help managing your stress, reach out to our Admissions Concierge Team. We’ll take the next steps together, toward the fullest, brightest version of you.