Anxiety symptoms manifest in literally hundreds of ways. They can range from an extreme nervousness to chest pains and shortness of breath. What’s worse: the symptoms of anxiety can be brought on by just about anything, at anytime.
First, what is anxiety? Anxiety is a state of fear, uneasiness and/or apprehension. These feelings can be about any real or made up situation, or can occur as the result of a specific event. Recognizing the signs of stress can help you better identify and cope with anxiety.
It is important to note the difference between occasional nervousness and worry, sometimes called functional anxiety, and an actual anxiety disorder that interferes with the way you go about your life.
Functional anxiety often manifest in the below symptoms before progressing to an anxiety disorder if you are unable to put your fears to rest. The distinction isn’t always clear, but that doesn’t mean the worry is any less real.
1. Most Common among Anxiety Symptoms: Panic.
Walking around constantly afraid that the other shoe is going to drop is one of the most reported anxiety symptoms. Social anxiety, in particular, comes about when someone experiences constant fear is social situations. This can be a fear of your work environment or walking around in a group of people with the fear of being judged or embarrassed.
Anxiety disorders commonly manifest by feelings of fear surrounding something or someone. When the fear escalates or is left untreated, it can trigger a panic attack – sometimes with little to no warning.
A panic attack may feel like a sense of impending doom; you could have sweaty and shaky palms, chest pains, and even an irregular heartbeat. It might even feel like a heart attack. When in doubt, always seek emergency treatment.