Identifying your own mental health issues isn’t always easy. However, learning the common signs and symptoms of a disorder can help you recognize those signs when they occur in your life. There are many kinds of anxiety disorders, each with its own specific causes, challenges, and treatments. However, they all share similar symptoms. Learn more about the signs that you might have an anxiety disorder with this guide.
The Anxiety Doesn’t Go Away
It’s natural to feel nervous or stressed from time to time. Everybody experiences anxiety at some point in their lives. The key difference with anxiety disorders is that those feelings don’t go away on their own. Anxiety disorders can also cause you to feel anxious even with no clear cause. When feelings of fear, anxiety, or stress start to disrupt day-to-day activities, it might be an indicator of a deeper issue.
Physical Symptoms of Anxiety
Many of the signs that you might have an anxiety disorder are physical. Symptoms like sweating, trembling, feelings of exhaustion, an increased heart rate, and accelerated breathing are indicators of an anxiety disorder or even a panic attack.
Unfortunately, it’s not always easy to identify these symptoms as a result of anxiety rather than a different issue. Heart problems, asthma, low blood sugar, and similar issues share many of the symptoms of intense anxiety.
If you’re not sure where your physical symptoms come from, examine any emotional indicators—such as fear or restlessness—that coincide with your physical symptoms. Your health history can also provide some insight as to whether you’re suffering from an anxiety disorder or a different condition.
Nerves, Stress, and Restlessness
Anxiety disorders can cause you to feel nervous, stressed, or restless, even if you aren’t doing anything to trigger such emotions. Feelings of excess fear and stress can also cause irritability and lowered frustration tolerance, which causes extra tension in your life and creates a downward spiral. The ability to parse these feelings helps you address the problem and get the support you need to regain control over your stress levels.