Anxiety

There are common symptoms of anxiety that people experience in terms of feelings, behaviors, thoughts, and physical sensations. Nonetheless, it is important to remember that anxiety is a highly subjective experience. Not everyone will experience the same symptoms, nor will each person experience the same intensity of a symptom. Still, it is helpful to provide some examples of the common physical, emotional, cognitive, and behavioral symptoms of anxiety.

Physical symptoms of anxiety include:

• A feeling of restlessness
• Shortness of breath, or a feeling of choking
• Sweaty palms
• A racing heart
• Chest pain or discomfort
• Muscle tension, trembling, feeling shaky
• Nausea and/or diarrhea
• “Butterflies” in the stomach
• Dizziness, or feeling faint
• Hot flashes
• Chills
• Numbness, or tingling sensations
• An exaggerated startle response
• Sleep disturbance and fatigue

Behavioral symptoms of anxiety include:

• Avoidance behaviors such as avoiding anxiety-producing situations (e.g., avoiding social situations) or places (e.g., using the stairs instead of an elevator).
• Escaping from an anxiety-producing situation (like a crowded lecture hall).
• Engaging in unhealthy, risky, or self-destructive behaviors (such as excessive drinking or drug use to deal with the anxiety).
• Feeling compelled to limit the amount and scope of one’s daily activities to reduce the overall level of anxiety (e.g., remaining in the safety of one’s home).
• Becoming overly attached to a safety object or person (e.g., refusing to go out, away from home, to school, or to work in order to avoid separation).