What Are The Symptoms Of An Anxiety Disorder?

Anxiety disorders are the most common type of mental health conditions today, and understanding the key symptoms of these illnesses can be important. One reason is that unrecognized anxiety disorders typically go untreated—and untreated anxiety disorders can impair functioning and daily activities, cause depression, and contribute to additional challenges. Read on to find out more about anxiety disorders in general, how to recognize key symptoms of anxiety disorders, and what to do next if you notice any anxiety disorder symptoms in yourself. 

What are anxiety disorders?

“Anxiety disorder” is an umbrella term referring to a category of mental illness in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5), published by the American Psychiatric Association. These types of conditions are generally characterized by frequent feelings of anxiety, worry, and/or fear, demonstrated through both physical and emotional symptoms. Anxiety disorders can run in families and are thought to have both genetic and environmental components. While virtually everyone will experience temporary feelings of anxiety from time to time, individuals with an anxiety disorder experience persistent and intense anxiety that causes difficulty functioning. 

There are several different anxiety disorders per the DSM-5. Some, like generalized anxiety disorder and panic disorder, are more common, and the symptoms of these disorders may be more widely recognizable. Others, like selective mutism and anxiety disorders caused by medications or physical health conditions, are less well-known. There are also a few examples of another mental illness that can include some type of anxiety as a key symptom, such as obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), but that actually fall under other categories in the DSM-5.

Key symptoms of an anxiety disorder: from phobias to panic disorder

Anxiety disorder symptoms can occur in anyone of any gender, race, sexuality, age, or background, though they may manifest somewhat differently depending on gender, culture, and age. That said, becoming aware of the general symptoms of different types of anxiety disorders may equip you to recognize them in yourself should they ever occur so you can seek help. See below for common symptoms of anxiety disorders depending on the specific disorder type.

Generalized anxiety disorder

According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) affects 3.1% of the US population in any given year. The Anxiety and Depression Association also notes that this mental health condition is characterized by excessive, persistent fear, concern, or worry surrounding everyday activities and occurrences like work, school, family life, social interactions, and romantic relationships. This sense of anxiety can be so pervasive and difficult to control in individuals with GAD that it may significantly interfere with their daily functioning, relationships, and overall well-being. 

Common symptoms GAD include:

• Trouble controlling worry
• Sleep disturbances
• Difficulty concentrating
• Restlessness or excess energy 
• Irritability
• Fatigue
• Muscle tension and muscle aches

Panic disorder

Panic disorder is a type of anxiety disorder that involves the experience of frequent and unexpected panic attacks. Panic attacks are episodes of intense fear that may be accompanied by physical symptoms like shortness of breath, rapid heartbeat, shaking, sweating, chest pain, and a sense of being suffocated. 

According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), panic attacks can occur “as frequently as several times a day or as rarely as a few times a year.” Another key symptom of panic disorder is typically the fear of having another panic attack after having experienced a panic attack in the past, which may worsen anxiety in general. The individual may even avoid places where they had a panic attack previously due to this fear. 

Social anxiety disorder

Social anxiety disorder, formerly known as social phobia, is a type of anxiety disorder that involves intense fear or worry surrounding social situations. Individuals with social anxiety disorder typically fear being judged or embarrassed in social situations. This fear is more than routine shyness or nervousness; in fact, social anxiety disorder is typically severe enough to cause a person to avoid some or all types of social situations and to experience physical symptoms like shaking, sweating, dizziness, nausea, and others when faced with them. Additional signs and symptoms of this type of anxiety disorder can include:

• Extreme feelings of self-consciousness 
• Difficulty talking to new people
• Struggling to form words in social interactions
• Excessively going over conversations in one’s mind after the fact
• Being highly judgmental of oneself after social interactions 

Specific phobias

An individual with one of the mental health conditions known as a specific phobia may have intense anxiety surrounding a specific concept, object, or situation. Symptoms of anxiety in those with this type of disorder may occur when the person is thinking of or face-to-face with the object of their particular fear. Examples of common phobias include a fear of heights, blood, spiders, or flying. 

Having a specific phobia means that a person experiences more than just nervousness or expected fear of the object of their anxiety. Instead, they may have extreme and debilitating symptoms as a result of it. They may also go to great lengths to avoid it, even at the expense of work, socializing, money, or well-being.

Separation anxiety disorder

While separation anxiety disorder is primarily associated with children, it can affect adults as well. Adults with separation anxiety disorder may experience extreme fear or anxiety along with physical symptoms when faced with being separated from someone they’re attached to, such as family members or a romantic partner. This condition may involve nightmares about separation from loved ones and a general and unwarranted fear of harm befalling them.

Mental health treatment options for anxiety disorders

There are several available treatments for people with anxiety symptoms; consult a healthcare professional to determine the best treatment approach for you. For many people, a combination of approaches may be the most beneficial. Below are a few commonly recommended options. 

Therapy for anxiety disorders

Psychotherapy, or talk therapy, is often considered the first-line and most effective treatment for various types of anxiety disorders. One of the most common modalities is cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). A CBT provider can guide clients in identifying, challenging, and shifting maladaptive thought patterns that may contribute to symptoms of anxiety. Another cognitive behavioral therapy method that’s frequently used to help with symptoms of anxiety is exposure therapy, which involves gradual, active confrontation of fears or anxieties in a safe, guided setting.

A growing body of research indicates that online therapy may be an effective way to treat symptoms of different anxiety disorders. One study, for example, examined the efficacy of internet-delivered CBT compared with face-to-face CBT for treating symptoms of different anxiety disorders. Its findings suggest that iCBT and face-to-face CBT may offer equivalent overall effects in terms of reducing symptoms of anxiety.

Medication for anxiety disorders

In some cases, anti-anxiety medications are also used to help an individual manage anxiety symptoms. If you’re interested in medication for anxiety, consult with a doctor, psychiatrist, or other licensed provider with a medical education to discuss your options. Also make sure to check with your provider before starting, changing, or stopping any medication or supplement. Note that anti-anxiety medications are not intended to “cure” the disorder, but to help individuals manage symptoms—particularly as they engage with other treatment methods like cognitive behavioral therapy. 

Lifestyle changes and coping techniques for improved mental health

While they’re generally not enough to manage symptoms of anxiety disorders on their own, engaging in certain stress-management techniques and complementary and integrative health strategies may be beneficial when you feel anxious. You can ask your therapist for help in deciding which techniques may be right for you, but some common options include:

• Exercising 
• Eating nutrient-dense foods 
• Practicing mindfulness meditation or similar integrative health techniques
• Journaling
• Practicing good sleep hygiene
• Joining support groups for the disorder you’re experiencing
• Engaging in deep-breathing exercises and grounding techniques