Signs of Anxiety & Stress

Overview

Stress "can come from any situation or thought that makes you feel frustrated, angry, or anxious," according to the National Institutes of Health, which adds that anxiety "is a feeling of apprehension or fear." However, the institute points out that what may be stressful or anxiety-ridden for one person may not be for another person. Every person experiences stress and anxiety, but some people have severe anxiety and stress that affect their lives. People with anxiety and stress in their lives can suffer from physical and mental symptoms.

Excess Stress Symptoms

Stress in small quantities can be a good motivational tool; however, too much stress can result in further medical problems. As a result, some people who suffer from too much anxiety or stress develop additional medical problems. According to NIH, symptoms of excess stress include abuse of alcohol or drugs, overeating, depression, heart disease and infections.

Physical Symptoms

According to the NIH, stress and anxiety can result in physical symptoms. Types of physical changes that result from stress and anxiety include abdominal stress, difficulty swallowing, dry mouth, sweating, headaches, muscle tension, twitching and trembling, need to urinate, diarrhea, rapid breathing, rapid or irregular heart rate and dizziness. The physical symptoms of anxiety and stress go away when the stressor subsides.

Additional Symptoms

Besides the physical symptoms, other symptoms can occur as a result of too much anxiety and stress. According to the NIH, additional symptoms include sexual problems, decreased concentration, sleeping difficulties and nightmares, irritability and increased temper and fatigue.

GAD & OCD Symptoms

Two types of anxiety disorders, generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) and obsessive-compulsive disorders, have anxiety-related symptoms that last for at least two weeks and interfere in the patients' lives. Symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder, according to the NIH, include difficulty concentrating and controlling worry, as well as excessive sweating, palpitations and muscle tension. Patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder have obsessions or feel obligated to carry out an activity, such as constantly washing their hands. The NIH points out that patients can recognize that their behavior is unreasonable. Obsessive-compulsive disorder patients have extreme anxiety if they do not complete their obsession.

Phobia Symptoms

According to the NIH, patients with anxiety focused on a particular stimulus have a specific anxiety disorder, called a phobia. When exposed to this stimulus, patients have an anxiety attack. Two types of phobias exist: specific phobias and social phobias. According to the NIH, symptoms of a specific phobia, such as a fear of lightning, include excessive anxiety when exposed to the fear, feeling weak or cowardly and avoiding situations where the fear can occur. Signs of a social phobia include severe anxiety when interacting with people at parties or in public, using a public bathroom or eating in public. Patients with a social phobia will avoid these situations, and will have severely impaired relationships.