Understanding The Symptoms Of Anxiety

Symptoms

Anxiety is different for everyone. Remember that stopping the symptoms rarely guarantees remaining symptom free. The best way to do that is to strengthen your system by increasing your wisdom and skills.

The above are some of the reasons why the ADF “Way Out Method” was created.

According to the National Institute of Mental Health some symptoms can include:

  • Feeling restless, wound-up or on edge
  • Hyperactivity
  • Trouble sleeping
  • Fatigue
  • Difficulty concentrating
  • Irritability
  • Muscle tension
  • Difficulty controlling feelings of worry

Types of Anxiety

There are many different types of anxiety disorders and each have their own symptoms according to the American Psychiatric Association. Below are a few of the  most common ones.

  • Generalized Anxiety Disorder: excessive anxiety and worry that is disproportionate to normal anxiousness around upcoming life events
  • Social Anxiety Disorder: intense fear of social interactions, making it hard to go out, make friends or interact with others
  • Panic Disorder: recurrent panic attacks that cause someone to change their behavior in order to avoid having them. Panic attacks are not your regular meltdown; they are an intense physical reaction to fear causing an accelerated heart rate, sweating and difficulty breathing. If you have had one there is usually no mistaking it.
  • Separation Anxiety Disorder: fear of being separated from someone usually because of worry that something may happen to them while they’re away.
  • Specific Phobias: intense fear or anxiety about a specific thing or situation (ex. spiders, heights, flying)

Anxiety and Depression

Many people who have anxiety also experience depression. It’s important to note that both areas have different symptoms.

Anxiety and Panic

Anxiety and panic are linked though not always one and the same. It’s common to have panic attacks as a fear response with anxiety disorders. It’s also possible to have an occasional panic attack without having a disorder. They can actually feel like you are having a heart attack.

Anxiety and Stress

Stress is totally normal especially with all the uncertainty and insecurity of our worlds. Anxiety can manifest as a response to stress. The trick is to recognize when healthy levels of anxiety in particular life areas increase to disproportionate levels.

What Causes Anxiety?

No one thing causes anxiety and it’s different with each person. Sorting out what your causes are and removing them, then growing beyond, takes a proven process.

Listed below are a few examples:

  • Genetics
  • Personality
  • Environment (pollution etc)
  • Personal Environment (living, work)
  • Life Events (current or past)
  • Diet (certain foods)
  • Spiritual of Religious Beliefs (or lack of)
  • Brain Chemistry