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14 Anxiety Symptoms

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Anxiety is a condition that affects one’s mind, emotions, and body. The most typical signs of anxiety are nervousness, sweating, exaggerated or irrational fear, rapid heartbeat, and others.

Anyone who suffers from anxiety or knows someone who has struggled with it can recognize it by these signs.

Your body naturally responds to stress by producing anxiety. You can be inspired and encouraged by it in moderation, which will aid in goal achievement.

Your quality of life, however, may be significantly impacted should it become persistent or extreme.

Anxiety is a common element of many different anxiety disorders, such as:

  1. Disorder of compulsive behavior (Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder)
  2. Panic Disorder
  3. Chronic stress disorder after trauma (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder)
  4. Anxiety disorder associated with illness
  5. Phobia
  6. Anxiety disorder in social situations
  7. Anxiety disorder associated with separation

In this article, we have discussed the signs and symptoms of anxiety that one must always look out for. Keep reading to know more.

Symptoms Of Anxiety Attack

  1. Sweating

    Your body may start to perspire more heavily during anxiety attacks. Your sweating may be an indication of anxiety.

    The faster heartbeat that comes along with an anxiety attack may be to blame for this perspiration.

    Sweating is frequently[1] the hallmark sign of an anxiety attack and is also the most noticeable.

    Since sweating can happen when you’re stressed, anxious, or both, this is the case. When you feel anxious, one thing you can do is refrain from clenching your hands.

    Wear breathable clothing if the weather is warm. Take time to breathe deeply. Excessive sweating can also be avoided by eating healthfully and engaging in regular exercise.

  2. Trembling Or Shaking

    Your body may tremble or shake during an anxiety attack. This might be brought on by the elevated heart rate and adrenaline that accompany an anxiety attack.

    A panic attack is more frequently a sign of shaking or trembling. Anxiety attacks are frequently characterized[2] as shaking like a jellyfish.

  3. Hyperventilation

    Excessive breathing is referred to[3] as hyperventilation. You may exhale too quickly, breathe deeply without needing to, and feel as though you’re running out of air.

    You might feel as though you’re gasping for air or suffocating. It can be extremely frightening to feel as though you are not breathing, as per the study[4].

    Along with these symptoms, you might experience dizziness, a rapid heartbeat, and weakness in your arms and legs. Chest pain can occasionally be a symptom of hyperventilation.

  4. Continuously Experiencing Fear

    Again, having the occasional worry is common, but people with a generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) may find that their worries persist.

    The NIMH claims[5] that individuals with GAD worry more intensely about common issues like health, finances, or family issues.

    Even when there isn’t a compelling reason to worry, they keep worrying about those issues.

    Additionally difficult to manage, this anxiety makes it challenging for those who experience it to concentrate on daily activities.

  5. Frequently Feeling The Need To Cry

    Even seemingly insignificant events or times may make you feel like crying.

    The stress in your body may be influencing[6] your emotions if your anxiety manifests as a sense of being on the verge of crying.

  6. Vomiting And Belching

    Nausea is a common side effect of anxiety. You might also belch excessively as a result of it you might experience[7] nausea and even the urge to throw up.

    If you frequently feel sick or vomit, seek medical attention. Additionally, make an effort to maintain a healthy diet, eat regular meals, and get enough water.

  7. Sleep Problems

    Adults typically require seven to nine hours of sleep per night, so when your sleep schedule begins to suffer, there may be a problem.

    Stress and anxiety can affect your ability to fall asleep and stay asleep, according to this research[8]. They can also exacerbate existing sleep issues.

    It is best to speak with your doctor to find out the root causes of your condition and what you can do to treat it because anxiety can cause sleeping disorders or vice versa.

  8. Memory Problems

    Anxiety symptoms such as forgetfulness, memory loss, and other memory issues can occur.

    Researchers discovered in one study[9] that people who experienced more anxiety had less working memory capacity.

    By challenging your mind, you can improve your memory. Crossword puzzles and Sudoku are two activities that can help you sharpen your memory. You can also try meditation.

  9. Unsteadiness

    During an anxiety attack, you might experience nausea or lightheadedness. You might feel as though you’re about to pass out or faint.

    Your brain’s blood flow is lessening, which is the cause[10] of this sensation. Your heart beats faster and your blood vessels close when you’re anxious.

    Your brain’s blood flow may be affected as a result, which could result in lightheadedness or dizziness.

  10. Chest Pain

    Feelings that appear to be physical signs of heart trouble are some of the most challenging anxiety symptoms.

    Many anxiety attack symptoms resemble[11] heart issues. You might experience heart palpitations, a racing heartbeat, a rapid heartbeat, or even feel like you’re having a heart attack.

    Make sure your heart is in good shape by getting medical attention if you haven’t already.

    If so, you can try to manage these symptoms by engaging in deep breathing exercises and other forms of relaxation.

    Additionally, this study[12] has shown that music can lower blood pressure and slow down the heart rate.

  11. Tension In The Muscles

    You feel tense all the time. One physical sign[13] that frequently goes along with mental health problems, such as anxiety, is tension in the muscles.

    Even when you haven’t engaged in any other physical activity, this ongoing tension makes you feel physically sore and worn out.

    It’s crucial to release this tension before it worsens because it can frequently be the cause of chronic pain and other recurring illnesses.

  12. Constant Indigestion

    Sometimes anxiety can result in more than just “butterflies in your stomach.”

    According to this study[14], some of the most common complaints connected to anxiety disorders include digestive problems like nausea, diarrhea, and indigestion.

    While there are measures you can take to lessen your GI pain caused by anxiety, such as deep breathing exercises, regular exercise, and even daily guided meditations.

    Your best option is to seek the assistance of a therapist who specializes in anxiety and who can develop a treatment plan.

  13. Flashbacks

    One of the hallmark symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which shares[15] some characteristics with anxiety disorders, is the urge to replay a distressing or traumatic event.

    The study[16] revealed that some people with social anxiety may experience flashbacks resembling those of PTSD from situations like being publicly mocked.

  14. Having Trouble Concentrating

    Concentration problems are frequently reported by anxiety sufferers. Nearly 90% of the 175 adults in the study[17] who had generalized anxiety disorder reported having trouble focusing.

    Additionally, it discovered a connection between greater difficulty concentrating and more intense anxiety.

    Working memory is responsible for retaining information in the short term, but it could be suggested that anxiety might interfere with this process.

    This could explain why people frequently perform dramatically worse when they are experiencing high levels of anxiety.

Conclusion

In conclusion, if you know what to look for, anxiety attack symptoms are quite simple to identify.

The most important thing is to maintain as much calm and relaxation as you can because this will lessen the symptoms.

Do not be reluctant to seek medical attention if you believe you are experiencing an anxiety attack.

Although dealing with this condition can be extremely difficult, you are not alone. You can manage your condition and lead a normal life with the right assistance.

References/Sources

Working4Health prefers using primary and verified references. We have strict sourcing guidelines and our primary references include peer-reviewed research, academic, and medical institution studies.

  1. M Harker Psychological sweating: a systematic review focused on aetiology and cutaneous response Skin Pharmacol Physiol. 2013;26(2):92-100. doi: 10.1159/000346930. Epub 2013 Feb 20. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23428634/
  2. Anxiety Disorders Last Revised: April 2022 Available from: https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/anxiety-disorders
  3. Hyperventilation Available from: https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/003071.htm
  4. Alicia E. Meuret and Thomas Ritz Hyperventilation in Panic Disorder and Asthma: Empirical Evidence and Clinical Strategies Int J Psychophysiol. 2010 Oct; 78(1): 68–79.Published online 2010 May 25. doi: 10.1016/j.ijpsycho.2010.05.006
  5. Generalized Anxiety Disorder: When Worry Gets Out of Control Available from: https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/generalized-anxiety-disorder-gad
  6. 2SOCIAL ANXIETY DISORDER Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK327674/
  7. Brian S. Appleby and Paul B. Rosenberg Aerophagia as the Initial Presenting Symptom of a Depressed Patient Prim Care Companion J Clin Psychiatry. 2006; 8(4): 245–246.doi: 10.4088/pcc.v08n0410b
  8. Luc Staner Sleep and anxiety disorders Dialogues Clin Neurosci. 2003 Sep; 5(3): 249–258.doi: 10.31887/DCNS.2003.5.3/lstaner
  9. Oliver J. Robinson, Katherine Vytal, Brian R. Cornwell, et al. The impact of anxiety upon cognition: perspectives from human threat of shock studies Front Hum Neurosci. 2013; 7: 203.Published online 2013 May 17. doi: 10.3389/fnhum.2013.00203
  10. Johan Bresseleers, Ilse Van Diest, Steven De Peuter, et al. Feeling lightheaded: the role of cerebral blood flow Psychosom Med. 2010 Sep;72(7):672-80. doi: 10.1097/PSY.0b013e3181e68e94. Epub 2010 Jun 18. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20562370/
  11. Jeff C. Huffman, Mark H. Pollack and Theodore A. Stern Panic Disorder and Chest Pain: Mechanisms, Morbidity, and Management Prim Care Companion J Clin Psychiatry. 2002; 4(2): 54–62.doi: 10.4088/pcc.v04n0203
  12. Imtiyaz Ali Mir, Moniruddin Chowdhury, Rabiul Md Islam, et al. Relaxing music reduces blood pressure and heart rate among pre‐hypertensive young adults: A randomized control trial J Clin Hypertens (Greenwich). 2021 Feb; 23(2): 317–322.
    Published online 2020 Dec 21. doi: 10.1111/jch.14126
  13. Michael Pluess, Ansgar Conrad, Frank H Wilhelm Muscle tension in generalized anxiety disorder: a critical review of the literature J Anxiety Disord. 2009 Jan;23(1):1-11. doi: 10.1016/j.janxdis.2008.03.016. Epub 2008 Apr 7. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18472245/
  14. T Tangen Haug, A Mykletun, A A Dahl Are anxiety and depression related to gastrointestinal symptoms in the general population? Scand J Gastroenterol. 2002 Mar;37(3):294-8. doi: 10.1080/003655202317284192. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11916191/
  15. Sukhmanjeet Kaur Mann; Raman Marwaha. Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Last Update: February 7, 2022. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK559129/
  16. Arthur Kummer and Estefania Harsanyi Flashbacks in social anxiety disorder: Psychopathology of a case Indian J Psychiatry. 2008 Jul-Sep; 50(3): 200–201.doi: 10.4103/0019-5545.43637
  17. Lauren S. Hallion, Shari A. Steinman, and Susan N. Kusmierski Difficulty Concentrating in Generalized Anxiety J Anxiety Disord. 2018 Jan; 53: 39–45.Published online 2017 Nov 4. doi: 10.1016/j.janxdis.2017.10.007

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