What Are the Symptoms of Anxiety?

People may experience anxiety symptoms due to many reasons. The most common causes are stressful life events, sleep deprivation, and physical ailments like chronic pain and illness.

The most common symptoms are anxiety, and trouble focus. Other symptoms may be more serious and require medical treatment.

1. Panic attacks

If you experience frequent panic attacks it could be a sign of anxiety. Panic attacks are sudden experiences of fear and intense physical sensations. They can occur at any place and at any moment like when you're driving, shopping, going to sleep or in the middle of an event. They can cause a racing pulse, difficulty breathing and sweating. You may feel like you are having an attack on your heart, which can be terrifying. These symptoms are a result of your body's "fight-or-flight" response. It's a natural response to perceived threats, like a grizzly bear or a turning car. The adrenaline released by the body increases blood flow to muscles, and triggers physical changes which allow you to take action in response to perceived threats.

The symptoms of panic attacks can differ for each individual and may change with the passing of time. Some people experience one panic attack but never experience another, while others have them frequently. Some people are affected by certain circumstances or locations like the dentist's office, the gym or public speaking. The attacks can be short but they can feel like they are coming in waves.

While these symptoms are unpleasant but they aren't dangerous or life-threatening. They can be difficult to manage on your on your own, and they are often misinterpreted as symptoms of a medical issue like heart attack or thyroid condition. This is why it's important to consult your doctor about your concerns and seek treatment.

Many people with anxiety suffer from recurrent panic attacks and worry about whether the next attack will occur. This may cause them to avoid certain situations or people, because they might trigger an attack. This is called agoraphobia.

You could be diagnosed with panic disorders if you experience frequent episodes of fear, anxiety or panic without any obvious trigger. People with panic disorder are more likely to suffer from other anxiety disorders, such as phobias and generalized anxiety disorder.

2. Worry

It's normal to worry. However, it can be useful in the event that we are prepared to react in a dangerous situation. It can also be a sign of anxiety when it's persistent and impedes your daily routine. If you notice that your anxiety is preventing you from sleeping or keeping you from living your life to the fullest, it's the time to seek assistance.

It's hard to know what symptoms of anxiety (click for source) causes anxiety disorders. Stress and an imbalance in chemical levels are both involved. This can be caused by long-term stress or chronic exposure. Stress can also alter the process your body uses to make chemicals like dopamine and a cortisol. Certain people are more susceptible of developing anxiety disorders because of their genetic makeup or family background. If you've experienced trauma or abuse in the past, this can cause anxiety disorder.

Treatments for anxiety include medication, psychotherapy and lifestyle changes. Cognitive behavioral therapy is one of the most effective treatments. It teaches you how to challenge distorted thoughts that cause anxiety. You may also benefit from other forms of therapy, for instance mindfulness, which can help you to pay attention to the present moment.

It is essential to seek treatment immediately and before your symptoms get worse. You can try to self-manage your symptoms through exercise, avoiding caffeine and getting enough rest. You can also use the Service Finder to find health services near you. If you're thinking of suicide contact the suicide hotline at 13 11 14 or go to an emergency room. You can also contact Lifeline at 13 11 14 if you require help. For more information about anxiety and its treatment visit the Anxiety Australia website.

3. Physical symptoms

Untreated anxiety can trigger a variety of physical symptoms. If these symptoms are present, people can be wrongly diagnosed with medical problems. It is important to receive a precise diagnosis. A healthcare professional can perform an exhaustive exam to rule out any other ailments, and may also ask about your mental health history and your daily routine.

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

If you're feeling anxious, your body's fight-or-flight response begins to activate. This can cause an increase in the heart rate. The adrenal glands signal the heart to pump faster blood in preparation for a potentially dangerous situation. This may also cause you to breathe faster. Many people experience an ache in their chest or a feeling that they are not getting enough oxygen.

Sweating is another common sign of anxiety. It could be due the fight or flight response, which increases the sweat glands' activity around the body. This can lead to pit stains and sweaty palms and a general feeling of being overheated, according to NIMH.

Anxiety can cause dry mouth, which makes it difficult to talk or swallow. According to the U.S. National Library of Medicine the condition can be uncomfortable and could even lead to choking. People with anxiety can also feel the sensation of not being able to catch their breath which can be terrifying and cause them to panic.

Some of the most serious physical symptoms of anxiety are the changes to the digestive system, including diarrhea or constipation. Stress hormones can cause acid reflux and affect digestion. Tiny needles or burning sensations in the hands or feet are other possible signs and symptoms of anxiety disorder. This is an indication of an over-excited nervous system.

4. Isolation

Although everyone feels anxiety from time to time those with an anxiety disorder have an overt and constant anxiety or worry that affects their daily lives and triggers physical symptoms. It could be a specific thing (such an attack of panic) or it could be a variety of normal situations.

In addition to being worried about something, anxiety disorders symptoms may also cause physical symptoms like a pounding the heart, dizziness, or chest pain. It can also trigger emotions, like the feeling of imminent doom or that everything is out of control. Anxiety-related symptoms can also be felt by those with chronic health conditions, such as diabetes and chronic obstructive lung disease (COPD).

People suffering from anxiety symptoms panic attack disorders tend to avoid things that trigger their symptoms. This can make them feel isolated. This can lead to depression which can be co-occurring with anxiety. A family history of crippling anxiety symptoms disorders, a traumatizing childhood and adulthood, or personality traits like shyness can increase the likelihood of developing an anxiety disorder. Stress levels that are high can also increase the chance that someone will develop an anxiety disorder.

While there are many possible causes of anxiety, effective treatment is available. Psychotherapy, or "talk therapy" and medications are effective for the majority of people with anxiety. Talk therapy helps people discover new ways of thinking and reacting, which can decrease cardiac anxiety symptoms. Medicines are used to lessen the severity of symptoms and are taken for a brief or prolonged duration.

People who want to get better should visit a doctor to get an evaluation. The doctor will collect an entire medical history and conduct a physical exam. There aren't any tests in the lab or scans that could diagnose anxiety disorders, but the doctor will assess the symptoms of a patient and how they impact their daily lives. The doctor will also refer to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), which is the standard guide to diagnose mental illness.