Anxiety is a feeling of fear, dread, or uneasiness. Recognizing common anxiety symptoms involves noticing not only worries, but also physical sensations and changes in everyday behavior. Anxiety can be a normal response to stress. When it does not go away, becomes overwhelming, or interferes with work, school, or relationships, a professional evaluation may be helpful.
This guide can help people who are noticing these changes in themselves or trying to understand what someone close to them is experiencing. Symptoms alone do not establish a diagnosis.
Common anxiety symptoms to recognize
According to MedlinePlus, the National Library of Medicine’s anxiety guide, different anxiety disorders can have different symptoms. They share a combination of changes in thoughts, physical symptoms, and behavior.
Thoughts and feelings
Anxious thoughts or beliefs may be difficult to control. They can leave a person feeling restless and tense and interfere with daily life. With anxiety disorders, these thoughts do not go away and may get worse over time.
Physical sensations
Anxiety may cause sweating, tension, and a rapid heartbeat. Physical symptoms associated with anxiety disorders can also include a pounding heartbeat, unexplained aches and pains, dizziness, and shortness of breath. These symptoms are not enough on their own to show that anxiety is the cause; a provider may check for another health problem.
Changes in behavior
A person may begin avoiding everyday activities they used to do. This change matters because anxiety disorders can affect job performance, schoolwork, and relationships—not just how someone feels internally.
Everyday anxiety versus an anxiety disorder
Feeling anxious before a test, an important decision, or a difficult problem at work can be a normal reaction. In these situations, anxiety may help someone cope by increasing energy or focus.
An anxiety disorder involves anxiety that does not go away and can worsen over time. Persistence and interference with daily activities are important differences from a temporary response to stress.
Several types of anxiety disorders have distinct patterns:
- Generalized anxiety disorder: Excessive worry about ordinary concerns, such as health, money, work, and family, occurs almost every day for at least six months.
- Panic disorder: Sudden, repeated periods of intense fear occur when there is no danger. These panic attacks begin quickly and can last several minutes or longer.
- Phobias: Intense fear centers on something that poses little or no actual danger, such as flying, spiders, crowded places, or social situations.
When professional advice may help
Persistent, worsening, or disruptive symptoms are reasons to discuss anxiety with a health care provider. The six-month pattern described for generalized anxiety disorder is not a waiting period before asking for help.
During an evaluation, a provider asks about symptoms and medical history. A physical exam and laboratory tests may help determine whether another health problem is causing the symptoms. If another health problem is not the cause, a psychological evaluation may follow, either with that provider or a mental health professional.
What to know about treatment and support
The main treatments for anxiety disorders are psychotherapy, medicines, or both. Cognitive behavioral therapy teaches different ways of thinking and behaving and can help change reactions to situations that cause fear. Acceptance and commitment therapy may help with some anxiety disorders through strategies such as mindfulness and goal setting.
Medication choices depend on the anxiety disorder and the person’s needs, so they require close work with a provider. Support groups and stress management techniques may also be helpful. Caffeine, other substances, and certain medicines can worsen symptoms; these are relevant topics to raise during an evaluation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can anxiety cause physical symptoms?
Yes. Symptoms can include sweating, a pounding or rapid heartbeat, dizziness, unexplained aches and pains, and shortness of breath.
Does feeling anxious mean I have an anxiety disorder?
No. Anxiety can be a normal response to stress. Anxiety disorders involve symptoms that persist, may worsen, and can interfere with daily life.
How are anxiety disorders diagnosed?
A provider reviews symptoms and medical history, may check for other health problems, and may perform or arrange a psychological evaluation.
