What is a common indicator that a patient is under stress?

Rapid breathing or increased agitation is a common indicator that a patient is under stress. When a person experiences stress, their body reacts with a flight-or-fight response, which can lead to physical symptoms like rapid breathing. This reaction is part of the body's autonomic response, aiming to prepare the individual to respond to perceived threats. Agitation may accompany rapid breathing as the patient may demonstrate signs of anxiety or distress, manifesting as restlessness or irritability.

Other symptoms typically associated with stress include increased heart rate and heightened sensory awareness, which are aimed at safeguarding the individual in stressful situations. While lethargy may indicate other underlying conditions unrelated to stress and expressions of joyfulness usually signal a positive emotional state, indicators such as rapid breathing and agitation are more characteristic manifestations of someone experiencing stress. Similarly, increased appetite and activity levels often suggest a state of well-being rather than stress, making them unlikely indicators of stress in a patient.