Anxiety is the body's natural response to stress. It is a feeling of fear or apprehension about what is to come. The first day of school, a job interview, or giving a speech can make most people feel fearful and nervous. But if your feelings of anxiety are extreme, last more than six months, and are interfering with your life, you may have an anxiety disorder.
Here are seven common symptoms of anxiety:
1. Persistent feelings of worry and fear
These feelings can be about a wide range of situations or issues, not just one specific situation. You may worry excessively about things that are currently happening in your life, things that may happen in the future, or both. These worries can make you feel tense and nervous most of the time, often for no apparent reason.
2. Restlessness or feeling of being "on the brink"
You may feel constantly restless or "on the edge," as if you are waiting for something bad to happen. This feeling of restlessness may be accompanied by a feeling of physical discomfort, such as a feeling of "butterflies" in the stomach, muscle tension, or tremors.
3. Fatigue
Anxiety can be physically and mentally exhausting, which can result in fatigue. This may be particularly true if anxiety is preventing you from sleeping well at night, which is often the case. Even if you manage to sleep, you may wake up feeling tired and lacking energy.
4. Difficulty concentrating
Anxiety can make it difficult for you to concentrate on daily tasks or make decisions. You may feel easily distracted and find it difficult to stay focused on a task for long. This may affect your performance at work or school and may cause daily tasks to take longer than usual to complete.
5. Irritability
When you are anxious, you may feel easily irritated or frustrated. This can be true even for small things that wouldn't normally bother you. You may also have a short temper and feel easily provoked to anger.
6. Sleep problems
Anxiety can make it difficult for you to fall asleep or stay asleep. You may lie in bed worried or anxious, which can make it difficult for you to relax enough to fall asleep. Even if you manage to fall asleep, you may wake up several times during the night or have a restless sleep.
7. Physical symptoms
Anxiety can also cause a variety of physical symptoms. This can include things like headaches, muscle aches, sweating, palpitations, dizziness, shortness of breath, and stomach problems like nausea or diarrhea.
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms and they are affecting your ability to function in your daily life, it is important to seek help. A mental health professional can diagnose an anxiety disorder and help you find effective ways to manage your symptoms.
