Anxiety Symptoms
5 min read
Anxiety is a body’s reaction against the threat. It’s usually linked to fear or anxiety, and can be a result of cognitive problems such as difficulty in concentration or physical symptoms like shaking, nausea, or muscle tension. Anxiety is a normal reaction to certain situations, however occasionally it could be an indication of anxiety disorder.
There are several anxiety disorders, and they have the same symptoms, with some differences in the symptoms.
There is a possibility that anxiety-related issues are affecting your daily routine regardless of whether it’s anxiety attacks or avoiding people because of anxiety of being socially anxious, or just perpetual anxiety and worry. Knowing the indicators that signal the anxiety you feel can help you determine the most effective method to improve your quality of life.
What Is Anxiety?
Anxiety is defined in the “Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders” (DSM-5) as worry about a potential threat.1 Everyone is anxious at some point or other. But there are a few who suffer from anxiety disorders.
There are a variety of anxiety-related disorders. This includes generalized anxiety and social anxiety among others. These disorders shouldn’t be confused with worries about everyday life.
It’s common for people to be concerned about important things, like an interview, audition and a date for the first time the big test or birth or any other occasions. However, sometimes anxiety gets uncontrollable and could turn into a disorder.
Anxiety disorders are identified as mental health issues that are characterized by an open anxiety, fear, and physical and mental changes that can become more severe over time.1 The signs manifest in physical and mental signs and may affect daily routines like school, work or leisure activities and also relationships.2
Symptoms
The signs and symptoms of anxiety typically are a mixture of physical, mental and social symptoms. Your particular symptom profile could differ based on your particular circumstances, your particular anxiety disorder, as well as your specific triggers.
The most common symptoms of anxiety disorders are:1.
Frequent worries and fears
Dry mouth
Tension in muscles
Nausea
Heartbeat irregularity
Sleeping difficulties
Cautious, avoidant behavior
Panic attacks
Be aware that this isn’t an comprehensive list of all symptoms because every anxiety disorder comes with distinct symptoms and diagnostic criteria based on recommendations from DSM-5.
Types of Anxiety Disorders
Generalized anxiety disorder
Social anxiety disorder
Obsessive-compulsive disorder
Panic disorder
A condition triggered by trauma and stress known as post-traumatic stress (PTSD) (a type of trauma-related stress-related disorder)
Additional anxiety disorders (separation anxiety and phobias specific to Agonaphobia selective Mutism)
Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Patients who suffer from the disorder of generalized anxiety (GAD) suffer from continuous and constant fear, anxiety and fear which is hard to control and not related to situation.3 GAD can be diagnosed by the onset of symptoms all day long for least six months.1
The signs associated with GAD are:
Restlessness
Irritability
Fatigue
Concentration difficulties
Soreness, muscle tension and aches
Sleeping difficulties
Adults should have at least three signs in addition to anxiety or fear in order to be able diagnose GAD. Children need only one of these signs, together with anxiety or worry to be able to be given the diagnosis.1
Social Anxiety Disorder
Social anxiety disorder is often called social phobia is defined by a serious anxiety over performance and social situations.2 It’s not just shyness. The people suffering from this condition experience extreme anxiety, that can lead to avoidance behavior when meeting new people or maintaining relationships and speaking in front of others, dining out with friends, and numerous other.
The signs of a social anxiety disorder could be:
Fear and anxiety that is not commonplace in many social situations
Blushing
Sweating
Trembling
Heart rate increases rapidly
The feeling can be described as “mind going blank”
Self-judgment and self-consciousness
Nausea
Avoiding social gatherings or being afraid in these circumstances.
Inadequate functioning in social, occupational as well as other areas of function
People may suffer from generally social anxiety disorders, or a anxiety related to performance (such for speaking or performing before others).
Social anxiety disorder can appear different in children. Particularly for children, anxiety is common within group settings and not just with adults. The symptoms may manifest as screaming, anger or crying or freezing, or refusing to talk.
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
OCD is a disorder of the mind that affects many people. (OCD) refers to a series of thoughts that occur frequently and are not pleasant and may cause specific, repeatable actions that interfere with daily life.4 OCD is no longer thought of as an anxiety disorder as per DSM-5 However the symptoms of OCD are an indication of anxiety. As a result experts tend to link OCD with anxiety disorders.
OCD symptoms can be found in: 1.
Obsessions: Fears and ideas which are thought to be excessive, yet they will never stop. The most frequent concerns are worry about the germs and viruses that may be present in your body, worry about the loss of things that are violent or taboo and the need for harmony or order and many more.
Compulsions: A repetitive behaviours that are utilized to reduce anxiety and usually are associated with obsessions. The most frequent compulsions include recording the number of times you clean your house or hand washing, extremely precise ordering and placing orders, frequent checking, and much more.
At least one hour per day is dedicated to the desires and obsessions that you face that create severe anxiety or cause problems in the most important parts of your daily life.
OCD generally manifests itself in the early years of adulthood, or even during the early years of childhood. It is more common in males than girls.4
Panic Disorder
A mental illness that is marked by frequent and sudden attacks of anxiety. attacks.2 The phrase “panic attack” refers to experiencing extreme anxiety and apprehension. These are usually accompanied by physical sensations, which some refer to as having the sensation of heart attacks.
The signs of panic attacks include:
Sweating
Chills
Trembling
Breathing is sluggish
Heart palpitations, rapid heart rate
Feeling smothered, choked or feeling overwhelmed
Afraids of imminent death or death
Chest pain
A single attack of panic does not offer a definitive diagnostic of mental illness. They are a common occurrence in many mental health disorders including panic disorder.
A person with anxiety disorder can suffer from regular panic attacks. intense worry about the possibility of having a panic attack again and avoid situations that may create the risk of an anxiety attack.5
To be deemed an individual suffering from anxiety disorder At least one bout of panic needs to take place and be followed by a prolonged period of anxiety and worry over recurring attacks or other behaviors.1 This, for instance, may mean that you haven’t gone to the grocery store for several months because you suffered an anxiety attack at the store.