What Is Anxiety? Common Signs and Symptoms Explained
We’re kicking off spooky season right by talking about the scariest emotion of all – anxiety. You know the feeling: the jittery tension in your chest when you have a big presentation at work, the racing thoughts that pop up after meeting new people, or the feeling of anticipation when you’re waiting on important news. That nervous, uneasy feeling is your body’s way of saying, “Hey, something important is happening. Pay attention.”
Anxiety is normal. All humans experience anxiety at times. It’s a helpful tool to alert us to potential danger. Anxiety comes in pretty handy when you’re trying to outrun a lion. But when anxiety shows up unexpectedly and impacts your life in ways that feel out of your control, that’s when it starts to become unhelpful.
What Is Anxiety?
Anxiety is your body’s built-in alarm system. When your brain senses a threat, whether real or imagined, it triggers your fight-or-flight response. When this “alarm system” is activated, it kicks off a flood of stress hormones like adrenaline and cortisol, initiating the feeling of anxiety.
This is why anxiety can feel so physical: racing heartbeat, sweaty palms, tense muscles, rapid breathing, and racing thoughts. This response is beneficial if you are facing danger, for example, slamming on the brakes to avoid a car accident. But when your brain sounds the alarm for everyday worries, like lying awake at 2 a.m. thinking about tomorrow’s to-do list, it can feel overwhelming and exhausting.
Common Signs of Anxiety
Do I have anxiety? That’s a good question. Here’s a list of common symptoms of an anxious mind.
Persistent or repetitive worrying
Feeling restless, tense, or on edge
Trouble falling or staying asleep
Physical symptoms like a rapid heartbeat, shallow breathing, sweating, or stomach discomfort
Difficulty concentrating or feeling like your mind “goes blank”
Avoiding things that bring up anxiety
Having an impending sense of dread
When Anxiety Becomes a Disorder
Anxiety becomes a disorder when it’s:
Excessive
Lasts for weeks or months
Interferes with daily life
Types of diagnosable anxiety disorders include:
Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD): ongoing worry about everyday situations
Panic Disorder: sudden, intense surges of fear (panic attacks)
Social Anxiety Disorder: fear of being judged or embarrassed in social situations
Phobias: intense fear of specific objects or situations (like flying or spiders)
The Good News
Anxiety is extremely common and very treatable. Millions of people experience it every day, and with the right strategies, like lifestyle changes, therapy, and/or medication, it can be managed effectively.
Most importantly, you are not alone in this feeling, and there are ways to get help.
Stay tuned: In our next post, we’ll cover methods to help handle anxiety.
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Calm Mind Therapy is a boutique mental health practice located in Ardmore, PA, specializing in the care of children, adolescents, and adults. Our mission is to provide the Main Line with high-quality mental health services for all ages. Our goal is to help our clients achieve emotional well-being and build a life worth living. Serving clients in Ardmore, Bryn Mawr, Wynnewood, Narberth, Radnor, Lower Merion, Haverford, Havertown, Villanova, Swarthmore, Devon, Berwyn, Malvern, Bala Cynwyd, and more.
