Some people may experience anxiety at some point in their lives.
In fact, anxiety is a very normal response to stressful life events like moving to a new place, changing jobs or having financial troubles.
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But when symptoms of anxiety become larger than the events that triggered them and begin to interfere with your life, they could be a sign of an anxiety disorder.
Here are the common symptoms of an anxiety disorder, according to Healthline.
#1 Excessive Worrying
One of the most common symptoms of anxiety is excessive worrying.
The worrying that associates with anxiety is disproportionate to the events that trigger it and typically occurs in response to normal, everyday situations.
These types of “worrying” are severe and intrusive, making it difficult to concentrate and accomplish daily tasks like doing work or chores.
#2 Feeling Agitated
When a person is feeling anxious, a part of their sympathetic nervous system goes into overdrive which kicks off a cascade of effects throughout the body such as racing pulse, sweaty palms, shaky hands and dry mouth.
These symptoms occur because your brain believes you have sensed a danger and it is preparing your body to react to the threat.
Your body then shunts blood away from your digestive system and toward your muscles in case you need to run or fight. It also increases your heart rate and heightens your senses.
#3 Restlessness
Feeling restless is another common symptom of anxiety, especially in children and teenagers.
When a person is experiencing restlessness, they often describe it as feeling “on edge” or having an “uncomfortable urge to move”.
A study that was conducted on 128 children diagnosed with anxiety disorders found that 74% reported restlessness as one of their main anxiety symptoms.
#4 Fatigue
Becoming easily fatigue is another potential symptom of generalized anxiety disorder.
These symptoms can be surprising to some, as anxiety is commonly associated with hyperactivity, while for some, fatigue can follow an anxiety attack, or for others, fatigue can sometimes be chronic.
But it’s unclear whether fatigue is due to other symptoms of anxiety, such as insomnia or muscle tension, or whether it may be related to the hormonal effects of chronic anxiety.
#5 Trouble Falling or Staying Asleep
Difficulty in falling or staying asleep is strongly associated with anxiety disorders.
Waking up in the middle of the night and having trouble falling asleep are the two most commonly reported problems, and some research suggests that having insomnia during childhood may even be linked to developing anxiety later in life.
Nearly 1,000 children over 20 years found that having insomnia in childhood was linked to a 60% increased risk of developing an anxiety disorder by the age of 26.
#6 Panic Attacks
One type of anxiety disorder called panic disorder is associated with recurring panic attacks.
Panic attacks produce an intense, overwhelming sensation of fear that can be debilitating and this extreme fear is typically accompanied by rapid heartbeat, sweating, shaking, shortness of breath, chest tightness, nausea and fear of dying or losing control.
If you feel anxious for the majority of days and experience on or more of the symptoms for at least six months, it may be a sign of an anxiety disorder.
Or if you ever feel like your emotions are interfering with your life, you should seek professional help!
By: Aishah Akashah Ahadiat
