According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), anxiety is a feeling of apprehension or fear. The underlying cause of the anxiety is not always known, which only increases the anxiety. There are multiple forms of anxiety, including generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), panic disorder and many others. The symptoms can vary, but there are many shared signs of the disorder. Anxiety can accompany other existing issues like drug addiction, alcoholism or other mental health disorders, intensifying the symptoms of both conditions.
Thoughts
Anxiety can be described as constant worrying or obsessions, explains the Mayo Clinic. The worrying over small or large issues may seem excessive or unreasonable. Examples can include focusing on one irrational or rational thought for most or all of the time. This obsessiveness can lead to an increase in other symptoms of anxiety, including trouble concentrating or restlessness. People with anxiety may feel on edge or wound up for prolonged periods of time.
Obsessive thoughts accompanied by anxiety may be a component of obsessive-compulsive disorder, a specific type of anxiety. The thoughts are often irrational and excessive. The individual becomes preoccupied with the thoughts and taken over by them. The thoughts contribute to compulsive behaviors.
Behaviors
Anxiousness can cause pacing, fidgeting or irritability. These behaviors can be seen by others or can be bothersome to the individual experiencing them. The individual may easily be startled or seem jumpy. This is due to the tension experienced with anxiety.
Obsessive-compulsive disorder is characterized by ritualistic behaviors or routines, explains the Anxiety Disorders Association of America (ADAA). Compulsive behaviors are described as repetitive in many cases. A person with a severe fear of dirt may repeatedly wash her hands, clean areas near her or have a panic attack when exposed to dirt.
Other Symptoms
Fatigue is common with anxiety due to the inability to relax or stop the other symptoms of anxiety from intruding on sleep or rest. The Mayo Clinic points out that some people may experience sweating, nausea or diarrhea with anxiety. Panic attacks can occur with moderate to severe forms of anxiety. A panic attack can cause an individual to have shortness of breath or an elevated heart rate. The Mayo Clinic says that headaches from stress or tension as well as grinding of the teeth are common in prolonged or serious cases of anxiety. The NIH says physical signs of anxiety may include dry mouth, trouble swallowing, twitching, trembling or even sexual problems.
Individuals who experience panic attacks, a symptom of anxiety or a component of panic disorder, may feel a pain or discomfort in the chest, says the ADAA. The individual may feel smothered, dizzy, lightheaded or have a feeling that things are not real. The person may experience tingling, chills or a heat flush of the skin.
