The signs and symptoms of anxiety may vary depending on the specific anxiety disorders you have. It is possible to live with more than one anxiety disorder, and any anxiety disorder can range from mild to severe. With that said, here are some of the most common anxiety disorders and their symptoms.Â
Generalized anxiety disorder
Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is characterized by excessive, disproportionate worry surrounding various events, activities, or subjects that continues for six months or more and isn’t better attributed to another cause. People with GAD may experience a range of symptoms, including but not limited to the following:
- Feeling wound up, restless, irritable, or on-edge
- Difficulty controlling feelings of worryÂ
- Trouble concentrating or focusing
- Gastrointestinal distressÂ
- Racing thoughtsÂ
- HypervigilanceÂ
- Sleep problems
- Muscle tension
- RestlessnessÂ
- Rumination
- Headaches
- Body aches
- FatigueÂ
Social anxiety disorderÂ
Social anxiety disorder is characterized by continuous fear or anxiety that surrounds one or more social or “performance” situations. Someone with social anxiety disorder may notice anxiety symptoms when talking to other people or before social events and avoid situations and places that cause distress or fear performances. For example, public speaking engagements, competing in sports or performing, and talking at work meetings. Other signs and symptoms of social anxiety include but aren’t limited to the following:
- Blushing, trembling, shaking, or sweating during social interactions or performances
- Feeling as though their mind is “going blank” during interactions or performances
- Stiff body posture or physical tension during interactions or performances
- Feeling self-conscious or worrying that others will perceive you negativelyÂ
- Difficulty making eye contact or being around people you do not know
- Finding it tough to talk to others, even if you want to
- Heart palpitations or a rapid heartbeat
- Gastrointestinal distress
- HeadachesÂ
Panic disorder
Panic disorder is characterized by patterns of persistent panic attacks and the fear of future panic attacks or their effects, which one may experience after having one or more panic attacks. While they present differently for everyone, here are some common symptoms of a panic attack:
- A sense of impending doom or danger
- Pounding heart, increased heart rate, or heart palpitations
- Feeling smothered or as though you are chokingÂ
- Feeling detached from reality or from yourself
- Gastrointestinal distress (e.g., nausea)
- Breathlessness or throat tightness
- Feeling dizzy, faint, or unsteadyÂ
- Chills or “hot flushes.”
- Trembling or shaking
- Sweating
- Dry mouthÂ
Other anxiety disorders frequently seen in adults include but are not limited to specific phobia and agoraphobia, which can also have a serious impact on a person’s life and functioning. Only a professional can diagnose anxiety and other mental disorders, but many people identify the symptoms in themselves first.
