The effects of anxiety can be confusing and make you feel isolated. If you think you or your loved one may be experiencing the symptoms below, it's important to seek help.
The brain and body respond in protective ways during anxious episodes or panic attacks. People can experience anxiety in different ways, depending upon their personality, history, and circumstances in life. There are, however, common symptoms and habits that can indicate that someone is struggling with anxiety.
Physical Symptoms
Physical symptoms of anxiety are often times more noticeable and disruptive. These include:
Sweating or getting body chills
Headaches and dizziness
Fast heart beat
Difficulty breathing
Shaking or trembling
Thoughts
A mind that races or thinks constantly about a certain topic or event could be experiencing the effects of anxiety. Some common thoughts that an anxious mind will focus include:
Thinking about the worst case scenario
Thinking you are being judged by others
Thinking about what others say about you
Replaying past scenarios in your head
Behaviours and Habits
Anxious habits and behaviours can form overtime and are often less noticeable than physical symptoms. Some examples of these habits are:
Biting nails or picking at skin
Neglecting to care for yourself, or putting off chores and tasks until it becomes overwhelming (I.e cleaning a room or dishes)
Feeling shame for having an “overreaction” to something that upset you
Leaving texts and emails unread for days
Overthinking or having difficulty making decisions
Experiencing these symptoms and habits can feel overwhelming and difficult to manage on your own. Talking about your symptoms with a therapist and working together to develop effective management strategies can help ease your symptoms and transform your habits.