Symptoms of Anxiety

Anxiety Disorders are very common, and can seriously affect your life. People with these disorders typically feel afraid of something, but are usually unable to articulate the specific fear.

Anxiety can make you cranky and irritable, and you may get tired easily or suffer from insomnia. It is very important that if you experience these or any of the following symptoms, that you seek professional medical help.

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)

If an individual is diagnosed with GAD it is usually because their symptoms show that they worry excessively about almost everything, every day for six months or more. Individuals with GAD are aware that their worrying is above what is considered normal, however they cannot control it.

Symptoms of GAD may include muscle aches, fatigue, muscle tension, irritability, lightheadedness, hot flashes, headaches, etc. People with severe GAD may have difficulty accomplishing even a very simple task.

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

Some of the most common types of compulsive behavior that affect OCD sufferers include:

• Counting.
• Putting things in order.
• Arranging.
• Hoarding.
• Cleaning.
• Hand washing.
• Checking things repeatedly.
• Asking people for reassurance.
• Repeating words to yourself silently.
• Thinking 'neutralizing' thoughts to counteract the obsessive thoughts.
• Avoiding situations or places that could trigger obsessive thoughts.

Social Anxiety Disorder

A person with a social phobia will often describe their symptoms as a feeling of being sick. They may have stomach cramps and pains, or they might feel headachy as if they have the flu.

Other common symptoms include:

• Chest pains.
• Muscle spasms.
• Racing heart.
• Sweaty palms.
• Facial blushing.

Panic Disorder and Panic Attacks

During a panic attack, an individual may experience many symptoms such as tingling or numbness of the hands, nausea, and chest pain. Being afraid of one's own physical symptoms is another sign of having a panic disorder.

People who have experienced full-blown and recurring panic attacks may have difficulty leading a normal life.  These attacks can have huge negative impacts on a person's productivity which may also lead to them having difficulty securing a decent job, and keeping healthy relationships.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

People who have PTSD may become startled easily and can appear nervous in certain situations. They may lose interest not only in the things that they used to enjoy doing, but with life as a whole. They can also be violent, either verbally or even physically at times.

Anniversaries of the traumatic incident can be unnerving and anything that reminds sufferers of their terrifying experience may cause them to suffer from bad dreams and nightmares. Seemingly simple things and ordinary occurrences may give them sudden flashbacks, such as a sound or smell, or watching a movie. These ‘little’ things will make them lose touch with the present and make them feel that the traumatic incident that happened to them, is happening once again.

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