Signs of anxiety

Most people will be familiar with anxiety as an emotion. It is normal to feel anxious at certain times, for example before an exam or interview, before a first date or when doing something outside of your comfort zone like speaking publicly. In fact, anxiety is a natural human response to when we perceive danger. It is designed to help us face or escape that perceived danger (the fight or flight response). However, for some people (around 1 in 10 of us) these anxiety feelings may at times become continuous, or impact on your ability to carry on life as normal. In these cases, you may be suffering from an anxiety disorder which requires treatment.

Some common symptoms of anxiety are:

  • Feeling restless or agitated

  • Panic attacks

  • Having trouble concentrating

  • Sweating

  • Shortness of breath

  • Dizziness

  • Avoidance of certain events or situations in order to avoid feelings of anxiety or an unwanted consequence

  • Heart palpitations

  • Ruminations or persistent unwanted negative thoughts about the past, present or future

  • Difficulty sleeping

  • Fatigue

  • Irritability

  • Use of regular or time consuming behaviours aimed to reduce the symptoms of anxiety

  • Excessive worry or anxiety that is present on a frequent basis