Table of Contents
Anxiety produces physical symptoms such as rapid or irregular heartbeat (palpitations), stomach problems or gnawing feeling, nausea, butterflies, diarrhea, irritated bowel syndrome, sweating, or feeling cold and clammy. Possible symptoms are also headaches, lightheadedness or dizziness, body tension or aches, fatigue or shortness of breath, shaking, trembling or twitching, difficulty or staying asleep, hot flashes or chills, as well as chest pain, rubbery legs, and a tingling in fingers or toes.
At the same time, emotional symptoms of anxiety include a general sense of apprehension and dread, nervousness, jumpiness, irritation, fearfulness or terror, isolation from others, feeling incredibly self-conscious and insecure, and a fear of dying or going crazy, as well as a strong desire to escape. General anxiety may produce symptoms that are chronic and long-lasting. The symptoms of an anxiety attack will usually come on suddenly and without warning, unless you know what triggers your attacks. Symptoms may last only while an attack is taking place, or may be present all the time.
What are the types of anxiety disorders?
There are several of the most commonly experienced types of anxiety attacks and disorders.
Generalized anxiety disorder occurs if you feel consistently anxious for reasons which are not always apparent. Anxiety related to GAD often manifests itself in physical symptoms like headaches, upset stomachs, and fatigue.
Obsessive compulsive disorder has unwanted thoughts or behaviors that seem impossible to stop or control as the main symptom.
Panic attacks/panic disorder is a type of anxiety characterized by repeated, unexpected panic attacks. Panic disorders may also be accompanied by agoraphobia, a type of anxiety associated with being in places where escape or help is not perceived to be possible.
Phobia is a type of anxiety that involves an extreme, unrealistic fear of a specific object or activity, such as a particular animal, or of flying, or of certain situations such as being in open spaces, or in social situations. Usually phobias cause unrelenting fear and physical symptoms that prevent the person from facing that fear.
Separation anxiety in children is a normal developmental stage experienced by a child when separated from its primary caregiver. It consists of crying and distress when a child is away from a parent or home. If separation anxiety continues to occur beyond a certain age or when it negatively impairs life or activities, it may need to be addressed and treated.
Social anxiety/social phobia can be thought of as an extreme shyness. It could be extreme to the point of avoiding social situations and causing disruption to social and professional relationships.