What Are the Symptoms of Anxiety?

Anxiety symptoms can be caused by a variety of factors. The most common causes are stressful life events, sleep deprivation and physical conditions like pain and chronic illness.

The symptoms may vary from individual to individual, but the most common symptoms are irritation and difficulty in concentrating. Other symptoms could be more serious and require medical care.

1. Panic attacks

If you are experiencing frequent panic attacks it could be a sign that you are experiencing anxiety. Panic attacks are sudden sensations or intense physical sensations. They can occur anywhere and anytime, like when you're driving, shopping, going into a deep sleep, or in the middle of a meeting. They can cause a racing pulse, breathing difficulty, and sweating. You might feel like you're experiencing an attack on your heart and it can be frightening. These symptoms are caused by your body's "fight-or-flight" response. It's an instinctive reaction to perceived threats, such as an animal or a vehicle that is turning. The body releases adrenaline which increases blood flow to muscles and triggers other physical changes so that you can react to the threat.

Symptoms of panic attacks may vary for everyone, and they can also change as time passes. Some people have one panic attack and never experience another, while others experience them frequently. Some people are affected by certain situations or places, such as the dentist's office, the gym, or speaking in public. The attacks are often short, but they can seem like they are being swept through your life in waves.

These symptoms can be uncomfortable but not life-threatening. They can be difficult to manage on your on your own, and are frequently misinterpreted as signs of a medical problem, such a heart attack or thyroid disease. This is why it's important to speak with your doctor about your concerns and seek treatment.

Many people suffering from anxiety suffer from recurrent anxiety attacks and worry about whether the next attack will occur. This can lead to avoidance behaviors, like avoidance of certain situations or people as they may trigger an attack. This is known as agoraphobia.

You may be diagnosed with panic disorders if you have frequent episodes of fear, anxiety or panic without any obvious trigger. It's normal for people with this disorder to suffer from other Separation anxiety Mother symptoms disorders, such as generalized anxiety disorder or phobias.

2. Be worried

It is normal to worry. However it can be helpful when we are prepping ourselves to respond in a dangerous situation. It can be an indication that you are worried if it's constant and has a negative impact on your daily life. If your worrying is keeping you up at night or preventing you from having fun it's crucial to seek out help.

It's difficult to determine what causes anxiety disorders. But, we do know that stress and an imbalance in the chemical system of your brain are involved. This could be due to long-term exposure to stressful situations or from severe, chronic stress that changes the way your body processes chemicals like cortisol and dopamine. Certain individuals are more likely to develop an anxiety disorder due to their genetic makeup or family background. An anxiety disorder can also be triggered by trauma or abuse.

Treatments for anxiety include medication, psychotherapy and lifestyle modifications. Cognitive behavioral therapy is one of the most effective treatments. It teaches you how to challenge distorted thinking that can cause distress. Other forms of therapy, such as mindfulness can help you pay more attention to what is happening at the moment.

It's crucial to seek medical attention early on, before your symptoms get more serious. You can self-manage symptoms by taking a walk or avoiding coffee and getting enough rest. You can also use the Service Finder to locate health care services close to you. If you're having suicidal thoughts, call the suicide hotline on 13 11 14 or visit the hospital. If you need support you can talk to a friend or family member, or call Lifeline at 13 11 14. For further information on anxiety and treatment options go to the Anxiety Australia website.

3. Physical symptoms

Untreated anxiety can trigger a variety of physical symptoms. When symptoms of anxiety are present, individuals could be misdiagnosed as having medical problems. It is crucial to get an accurate diagnosis. A medical professional can conduct a thorough examination to rule out any other issues, and they might also inquire about your mental health history and your routine activities.

Symptoms vary from person to person, but many of the common ones are headaches, breathlessness, and shaking. If you're experiencing any of these symptoms, talk with your therapist about these symptoms. They can show you how to manage the physical symptoms of anxiety, and help you reduce their impact on your life.

When you feel anxious, your body's fight-or-flight response begins to activate. This can cause an increase in the heart rate. This is because adrenal glands send signals to the heart to increase the rate of blood flow, in preparation for the possibility of a potentially dangerous situation. This can also make you breathe more quickly and is the reason why some people experience an ache in their chest or sensation that they're not receiving enough oxygen.

The sweating can also be a common symptom of anxiety. This can be caused by the fight or flight response, which can increase sweat gland activity around the body. This can cause pit stains and dripping palms, as well as the feeling of being hot, according to the NIMH.

Anxiety can cause a dry, swollen mouth that makes it difficult to swallow or talk. This can be uncomfortable and can lead to choking sensations, per the U.S. National Library of Medicine. People with anxiety can also have a feeling of not being capable of breathing which can be terrifying and cause them to panic.

One of the most significant physical symptoms of anxiety are changes to the digestive system, like diarrhea or constipation. Stress hormones can cause acid reflux and can affect digestion. Other signs of stress include pins and needles on the hands or feet which could indicate that your nervous system is over-excited.

4. Isolation

Although everyone feels anxiety at times, people who suffer from an anxiety disorder experience chronic and extreme fear or worry that interferes with daily life and triggers physical symptoms. It could be a particular thing (such panic attacks), or it can be a variety of normal situations.

In addition to being worried about something, anxiety may also trigger physical symptoms such as a pounding of the heart, dizziness or chest pain. It can also trigger emotional symptoms, including feelings of impending doom or the feeling that things are out of control. People with an ongoing health issue, such as diabetes or chronic obstructive lung disease (COPD), may also suffer from anxiety-related symptoms.

People suffering from anxiety disorders tend to avoid things that cause them to feel anxious. This can cause them to feel isolated. This could lead to depression, which is often a co-morbidity with anxiety. An anxiety-related family history, disorders, a traumatizing childhood and adulthood, or personality traits like shyness could increase the risk of an anxiety disorder. A high level of stress can also increase the chances that one will develop an anxiety disorder.

While there are many possible causes of anxiety there is a treatment that works. People who experience anxiety generally respond well to psychotherapy, or "talk therapy" and medication. Talk therapy can help someone discover new ways to think and act that can reduce anxiety. Medicines can be used to alleviate symptoms for a short time or over a prolonged time.

A doctor can help people who are looking to improve their health. The doctor will take an entire medical history and do physical examination. The doctor will assess the patient's symptoms and how to relieve physical symptoms of anxiety these affect their daily lives. There aren't any lab tests that can diagnose anxiety disorders. The doctor will also refer the patient to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), which is the standard reference for diagnosing mental illness.