Anxiety is not very uncommon and most of us have experienced it sometime or the other. But there is a distinct difference between anxiety and disorder. People suffering from the GAD or any other anxiety-related disorder will be face to face with most of the symptoms very often, sometimes daily. While there quick ways to alleviate the anxiousness, it is safer and always advisable to consult a mental health specialist for long term treatment.
For a better insight on how anxiety feels like, let us discuss some common and easily detectable symptoms.
Panic Attacks~ Panic attacks are closely related to anxiety. Although panic disorders are a different kind of disorder entirely, it is common for people suffering from anxiety to face panic attacks.
Panic attacks basically mean a sudden irrational fear followed by cold sweats, shivering, shaking, and increasing of heartbeat, nausea or even blind spots. If the panic attacks recur very often it could be signs of anxiety disorder or panic disorder.
Restlessness and Tense Muscles~ Restlessness is very common in people who suffer from anxiety. The constant feeling of being on the edge, overthinking and panicking for no reason are signs of restlessness. Although muscle tense could be a reaction of anxiety, it could also be used to detect the early stages of anxiety which often people ignore.
Irritability~ It is a proven fact that irritability among youth and middle age groups are almost double during the period they were suffering from GAD. It is a common symptom and a very important one, at that. Irritability and being easily instigated are often behavioural traits of some but if the symptom has suddenly surfaced and keeps on recurring it could be a sure sign of Anxiety Disorder.
Worrying~ Again, worrying about random things is common human behaviour and there is nothing wrong with it. But if your worrying is revolved around daily habits and how to successfully do the simple things in life like cooking food and doing household chores, it is possible that you are suffering from an anxiety disorder. Worrying is one of the very reliable symptoms of anxiety that mental doctors often use to detect Generalized Anxiety Disorder.
Signs of nervousness~ If you are nervous and scared, your mind gives a signal of danger. Your blood rushes to your muscles for flight mode, your heartbeat increases, hands shake and you break into a sweat. Agitation at that state of peril is normal and necessary for kick-starting your body from numbness. But if that heightened agitated state hits you even at a very safe place sporadically, it could be a sign of anxiety.
Difficulty in concentration~ It is normal for an anxious person not to be able to concentrate on things because of the worrying and fear of failure lurking in their minds. If you cannot concentrate because you are excited, it’s different. But if you cannot concentrate at anything because of the flitting thoughts and irrational fear, it could be the cue to consult a doctor.
Fatigue and Sleeping disorder~ Another common sign of Anxiety disorder is constant exhaustion. The reason behind it could be a sleeping disorder. Not being able to sleep at all or oversleeping can cause immense exhaustion and fatigue. This also is a symptom of an anxiety disorder.
Eating disorder~ The irrational fear of death or failure often redirects all the focus on the muscle and destroys the digestive system. Nausea, lack of appetite, feeling congested and bloated are very common symptoms of the digestive system being out of order; which could be a side effect of anxiety disorder.
Like any other mental issue, anxiety is also complex and needs medical help. Disregarding anxiety as ‘stress’ is one of the biggest mistakes someone can make.
