Anxiety manifests in many different ways. Symptoms may be unique to the type of anxiety disorder or the individual. All include magnified worry about something for more than six months. General symptoms include:
- Nervousness
- Irritability
- Restlessness
- Trouble sleeping
- Fatigue
- Trouble concentrating
During moments of extreme anxiety or during a panic attack, these symptoms may be accompanied by:
- Sense of danger or doom
- Trembling, dizziness, weakness
- Shortness of breath
- Excessive perspiration
- Feeling cold or overheated
- Numbness or tingling in the hands
- Rapid heartbeat, palpitations
- Chest pain
- Rapid breathing, hyperventilating
Panic attacks can happen when least expected and without obvious provocation. Frequent panic attacks may elevate your level of stress and contribute to social isolation.
People who have PTSD experience flashbacks, reliving a traumatic experience over and over. They may be quick to anger, startle easily, or become emotionally withdrawn. Other symptoms include nightmares, insomnia, and sadness.
OCD causes obvious behavioural symptoms such as performing compulsive, repetitive acts. Many people with OCD develop rituals they feel they must carry out to avoid perceived consequences. People with social anxiety disorder or other phobias usually try to avoid confronting the object of their fear.