Everyone experiences stress, but some people just aren’t very good at handling it. Instead of remaining cool-headed, they tend to lash out or shut down, making everything even worse for everyone around them.
We spoke to people who’ve seen this up close, and they shared the most common reactions they’ve noticed. Here are 11 ways people who can’t handle stress usually respond.
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Taking it out on the wrong person
When they’re stressed, they sometimes snap at someone who has nothing to do with the problem. A few people mentioned partners who got home from work angry, only to yell at their spouse about a messy house, not because they cared about the dishes, but because they were already wound up.
Going completely silent for hours or days
Some people don’t fight or vent; they just emotionally check out. Many shared stories of people they knew who would go silent on texts for hours, barricade themselves in their room, or refuse to make eye contact for days on end. It made everyone else feel excluded and anxious.
Over-explaining every tiny thing
Under stress, some people compulsively over-explain themselves even when no one asked. For example, if someone is late, they’ll text a 5-minute explanation of where they were and why they were late even if no one inquired. Their brain is in overdrive, justifying and over-explaining itself.
Crying in unexpected places
Several women admitted that they have sometimes cried in bathrooms, cars, and even grocery store aisles because of stress. It’s not a decision or a choice they make consciously. It’s just something they wind up doing, a place they find themselves when there’s so much going on and no “safe space” to express it all.
Picking fights over small details
Some said that when they’re stressed, they tend to get hyper-focused on trivial things, like how they load the dishwasher or what exact words to used in a text. This is sometimes their way of coping with stress and regaining control.
Making impulsive decisions
Some people confessed that stress drives them to make impulsive and drastic decisions they would later regret in life. Some examples are quitting a job without a backup plan, cutting off friends, and selling their car.
Avoiding reality through binge behavior
Instead of facing the issue head-on, some people we spoke to drowned themselves in distractions. People shared examples like mindlessly binge-watching shows, endlessly scrolling on TikTok until 3 a.m., or playing video games for hours to avoid processing what’s wrong.
Overreacting physically
Some people we spoke to also said that stress doesn’t just show up on the inside. It can be a full-body experience. They develop stress headaches, an upset stomach, and sometimes they start pacing or fidgeting nonstop. It’s their bodies’ way of screaming they need help when they can’t say it out loud.
Suddenly changing routines
Some people confessed that they deal with stress by completely upending their normal routines. They end up staying up all night when they’re usually early to bed or skipping meals and abandoning hobbies they once loved.
Becoming unusually forgetful
Stress can make some people so scattered that they start forgetting simple things, like where they left their keys, missing appointments, or completely blanking on important conversations. Some say that stress makes their minds so overwhelmed that they just can’t keep up.
Becoming clingy or overly needy
Some stressed people don’t withdraw; they smother. Friends shared horror stories about needing a text or call back every five minutes and/or an over-the-top need for reassurance. It’s not that they’re trying to be clingy or extra. These people feel completely unsafe and just want someone to calm them down.
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