Everyone experiences feelings of stress and anxiety. A person might feel anxious when her car breaks down late at night, when she's meeting her boyfriend's mother for the first time and when she has to give a presentation in front of all of her coworkers. However, anxiety can be crippling for people who suffer from anxiety disorders. There are several signs that a person's anxiety is escalating and that treatment may be necessary.
Panic Attacks
Anxiety goes from normal to serious when someone starts to have panic attacks. The Mayo Clinic reports that symptoms of a panic attack include feelings of loss of control, fear, rapid heartbeat, sweating, trembling, trouble breathing, chills and hot flashes. Someone who's having a panic attack might have chest pains and feel nauseous, dizzy or faint.
Agoraphobia
People who become extremely anxious or have frequent panic attacks are at risk for developing agoraphobia, which is a severe sign of escalating anxiety. When someone's level of anxiety increases, she might be afraid to leave her house or go to public places. Agoraphobia includes avoiding crowded and public places such as the grocery store, malls, sporting events and public transportation, according to the Mayo Clinic. People who develop agoraphobia have a difficult time taking care of themselves. They often need the help of friends and family members to survive until they receive treatment.
Problems at Work and School
If a teen starts to become overwhelmed by anxiety, his grades will probably drop. He won't be able to concentrate during tests and quizzes and may not be able to complete homework and class work assignments on time. Adults usually have issues at work when their anxiety escalates. They might have problems focusing during business meetings and completing projects. This could lead to a demotion or termination of employment.
Relationship Issues
Another sign that someone is experiencing an escalation in her anxiety is an increase of relationship problems. Overwhelming anxiety causes feelings of fatigue and irritability. This can lead to arguments and a lack of healthy communication.
Trouble Sleeping and Eating
A clear sign of escalating anxiety includes issues sleeping. Someone who's consumed by worry might not be able to fall or stay asleep at night. The person may wake up after being asleep for only a couple hours and begin worrying immediately. Also, escalating anxiety can cause someone to lose her appetite or eat to cope with her feelings. Some people feel nauseous and can't force themselves to eat when anxious, and others consume many more calories than needed. This can lead to significant weight gain or loss.
