Anxiety — What Does It Feel Like?
Anxiety — we all experience it. Whether it's a job interview, an exam, or a first date, anxiety is a natural feeling about a stressful situation. It's a fight-or-flight response towards a perceived threat meant to keep us safe.
Anxiety is not all bad, in fact. We need anxiety to help us stay focused and alert. However, when these worries or fears become so overwhelming that they start to impact daily living, you may be struggling with an anxiety disorder. We can feel these symptoms both physically and psychologically. Let's talk about how to identify signs and feelings of anxiety.
Physical Symptoms
Anxiety can manifest in our bodies by making us feel a certain way. These symptoms include:
Headaches
Nausea, stomach pain, or digestive issues
Insomnia
Racing heart or increased heart rate
Muscle tension
Body shakes
Shortness of breath
Rapid breathing
Sweating
Some levels of anxiety can get so high that they trigger panic attacks. Panic attacks can feel more intense than general anxiety, examples being:
Feeling that your chest is tightening or your throat is closing
Feeling light-headed or that you are going to pass out
Having chills or feeling overheated
Having tingling or numbness in the body
Psychological Symptoms
Anxiety can also affect our emotional state and the way we think and perceive the world. Some psychological symptoms include:
Difficulty concentrating
Racing thoughts
Feeling panic or dread
Feeling irritable
Feeling detached from your body
Heightened alertness
Uncontrollable over-thinking
These feelings can often become so severe that it impacts our ability to perform daily tasks, take care of ourselves, and maintain relationships.
Feeling Anxious vs. Anxiety Disorders
It can be challenging to determine if symptoms are just normal anxiety feelings, or if they are signs of an anxiety disorder. There is a way to tell the difference. You may feel anxious when faced with life stressors, such as starting a new job, meeting someone new, taking a test, or even traveling.
An anxiety disorder, however goes beyond occasional feelings of nervousness. It starts to become a disorder when there's an inability to control responses to situations, a tendency to overreact when emotions are triggered, and daily functioning is negatively impacted.
Types of Anxiety Disorders
Anxiety disorders can come in different forms, and they may feel different to each person.
Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
Individuals diagnosed with GAD may feel unrealistic worry and tension with or without a trigger. Excessive and consistent nervousness is common, and it can be difficult to focus on anything else.
Panic Disorder
Sudden, intense panic attacks are suffered by those with panic disorder. The feelings of terror come on unexpectedly with no identifiable trigger. These symptoms can feel similarly to having a heart attack, and some people even go to the hospital for reassurance. With panic disorder, it is hard not to worry about when the next attack can be. It can be difficult to relax or perform daily tasks due to the fear.
Agoraphobia
Some anxieties are triggered by certain environments. With agoraphobia, individuals may experience panic or fear in crowds, enclosed spaces, public transportation, or even open spaces. These symptoms can feel similar to a panic attack, and some people will even refuse to leave their homes in fear of panic symptoms.
Social Anxiety Disorder
This disorder can cause feelings of overwhelming self-consciousness and worrying over social interactions. It can be challenging to navigate conversations with others due to fear of being judged or embarrassed. Individuals with this disorder may avoid talking to people altogether.
Treatment
There are many different types of anxiety disorders, and managing and treating symptoms can be exhausting. If you find yourself struggling with the feelings anxiety causes, the best thing to do is to reach out and talk with us about anxiety therapy.
