What Are the Symptoms of Anxiety?
People may experience anxiety symptoms for many reasons. Stressful life events, sleeplessness and physical conditions such as chronic illness and pain are just a few of the most frequent causes.
Symptoms can vary from person to person, however some of the most common symptoms include: irritation and difficulty in concentrating. Other symptoms could be more serious and require medical treatment.
1. Panic attacks
If you are prone to panic attacks regularly, they can be an indication that you are experiencing anxiety. Panic attacks are sudden sensations of fear and intense physical sensations. They can happen anywhere and anytime, like when you’re driving, shopping, falling to sleep, or even in the middle of a meeting. They can trigger a racing heartbeat, difficulty breathing and sweating. You might feel like you’re experiencing a heart attack that can be frightening. These symptoms are a result of the body’s “fight or fight or flight” response. It’s a natural reaction to perceived threats, like a grizzly bear or a swerving car. The body releases adrenaline, which increases blood flow to the muscles and causes other physical changes that allow you to react to the threat.
Symptoms of panic attacks may be different for everyone and they may change with time. Certain people experience one panic attack and never have another, while others experience them regularly. They might have certain locations or situations that trigger them, such as the gym, dentist’s appointment, or public speaking. The attacks may be brief but feel like they come in waves.
Although these symptoms can be uncomfortable however, they aren’t harmful or life-threatening. However they can be difficult to manage on your own and are often mistaken for indications of a medical issue, such as an attack on the heart or thyroid disease. It is essential to talk to your doctor and seek treatment if there are any concerns.
Many people with parental anxiety symptoms experience recurrent panic attacks and worry about when they’ll strike next. This can result in avoidance behaviors, such as avoidance of certain situations or people because they could trigger an attack. This is known as agoraphobia.
If you have frequent episodes of fear, anxiety, or panic that don’t seem to be triggered by any specific trigger or event, you might be diagnosed with panic disorder. It’s normal for people with this condition to also suffer from other anxiety disorders, including generalized anxiety disorder or phobias.
2. Worry
It is normal to worry. However it can be beneficial when we’re preparing ourselves to act in a dangerous situation. It could be an indication that you are anxious if it is persistent and interferes in your everyday life. If you’re finding that your anxiety is preventing you from sleeping or preventing you from living your life to the fullest, it’s the time to get assistance.
It’s hard to know what causes anxiety disorders. Stress and an imbalance in chemical levels are both involved. This could be triggered by long-term stress or chronic exposure. Stress can also alter the ways your body processes chemicals such as dopamine and cortisol. Certain people are more likely to develop anxiety disorders due to their genetic makeup or family history. If you’ve suffered abuse or trauma in the past, this could also trigger an anxiety disorder.
There are a variety of ways to treat anxiety, such as psychotherapy, medication and lifestyle changes. Cognitive behavioral therapy is one of the most effective treatments. It teaches you how to challenge distorted thinking that causes distress. Other types of therapy like mindfulness can help you pay more attention to what’s anxiety symptoms happening at the moment.
It’s important to seek treatment early on, before your symptoms become more serious. You can manage symptoms yourself by doing exercises or avoiding coffee and getting enough rest. You can also use the Service Locator to find health facilities near your home. Contact the suicide hotline on 13 11 14, or visit a local hospital if you are having suicidal feelings. If you require support, you can also speak to a friend or family member or contact Lifeline on 13 11 14. For more information on anxiety and treatment options go to the Anxiety Australia website.
3. Physical symptoms
Untreated anxiety can trigger various physical symptoms. When symptoms of anxiety are present, people can be wrongly diagnosed with medical problems. It is crucial to receive a precise diagnosis. A medical professional can conduct an exhaustive exam to rule out any other conditions, and they may also inquire about your mental health history as well as daily activities.
The symptoms can vary from person person, but many of the common ones are headaches, breathlessness and shakiness. If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, speak with your therapist about them. They can assist you in learning how to manage the physical manifestations of anxiety and decrease their impact on your life.
The body’s fight or reaction starts when you are nervous, which could trigger your heart rate to rise. The adrenal glands trigger the heart to pump up blood in anticipation of the possibility of a dangerous situation. This can also make you breathe faster, which is why many people experience a tight feeling in the chest or sensation that they’re not getting enough oxygen.
The sweating can also be a common symptom of anxiety. It can be caused by the fight or run response, which can increase sweat gland activity throughout the body. According to the NIMH, this can cause pits hands, dripping hands, and an overall feeling of being overheated.
Anxiety can cause dry mouth that makes it difficult to speak or swallow. According to the U.S. National Library of Medicine, this can be uncomfortable and could even cause choking. Patients with anxiety may feel like they can’t catch their breath. This can be scary and lead anxiety.
One of the most significant physical signs of anxiety are changes to the digestive system, including diarrhea or constipation. This is because stress hormones can affect your digestion and make it hard to keep food in your stomach, and they can also cause acid reflux. Other symptoms that could be present are tingling or pins and needles on the hands or feet which can indicate that your nervous system is over-excited.
4. Isolation
While everyone experiences anxiety at some point but those suffering from an anxiety disorder experience extreme and persistent fear or worry. This can interfere with daily activities and cause physical symptoms. It could be a particular thing (such a panic attack) or it could be a variety of normal situations.
In addition that anxiety can trigger several other physical symptoms, like dizziness, a pounding heart chest pain, or shortness of breath. It can also trigger emotional symptoms, like feelings of impending doom or feeling like everything is out of control. Anxiety symptoms are also experienced by those suffering from chronic health conditions like diabetes and chronic obstructive lung disease (COPD).
People with anxiety disorders often avoid things that cause their symptoms, which causes them to feel isolated. This can lead to depression which is often a co-morbidity with anxiety. People who have an ancestral history of anxiety disorders are at increased chance of developing them as are those who have had trauma in their childhood or adulthood or have certain personality traits (such as shyness). High levels of daily stress can also increase the chance that someone will develop an anxiety disorder.
Although there are a myriad of causes of anxiety There is a solution that works. People who experience anxiety generally are able to benefit from psychotherapy or “talk therapy” and medications. Talk therapy can help a person learn new ways of thinking and act, which can reduce anxiety. The use of medication can lessen symptoms for a brief time or over a prolonged period.
People who wish to get better should see a doctor for an assessment. The doctor will take a complete medical history and perform a physical exam. There aren’t any lab tests or scans that can diagnose anxiety disorders however, a doctor will evaluate a patient’s reported symptoms and how they impact their daily lives. The provider will also consult the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), which is the most commonly used source for diagnosing mental illness.