2. Insomnia almost every night.
Also popular among anxiety symptoms, insomnia – trouble falling asleep or staying asleep – can be caused by a wide range of conditions, both mental and physical. Just as there is a difference between functional anxiety vs. an anxiety disorder, there is a distinction between occasional sleep problems and clinical insomnia.
If you find yourself overly tired, but still unable to sleep because your brain won’t shut off at night, you may have an anxiety disorder. Sleep problems can lead to chronic fatigue and mental impairment. At this point you need to seek treatment, since these problems will exacerbate an anxiety disorder.
Over time, insomnia may also cause or intensify other anxiety symptoms. Your body needs sleep to restore your mental and physical systems. You may find that you have an inability to focus, your stomach is easily upset and you feel nauseous, and/or your muscles start feeling sore or weak. Whether you seek treatment through traditional or modern medicinal means, insomnia needs to be addressed.
3. Shortness of breath in your daily activities.
A common manifestation of anxiety and panic attacks; breathing problems alone can be scary. Experiencing breathlessness on top of feelings of fear or panic is a symptom of severe anxiety, even when the person having trouble breathing is able to disguise it.
If you are experiencing shortness of breath (for any reason) it is important to see your doctor to rule out a physical cause, as it may be indicative of a more serious condition.
Heavy and/or rapid breathing isn’t anything to be concerned about with physical exertion. However, if you find yourself hyperventilating as a result of your fears (rational or not), it can lead to lightheartedness, chest pains, muscle weakness, or even a full-blown panic attack. Learn tricks for how to get your breathing under control here.