What are the Signs of Anxiety?
As a cognitive behavioral therapist, anxiety or anxiety disorders are one of the most common symptoms that I see & treat. There are many signs of anxiety, and not every person experiences anxiety in the same way. Here are the signs that you should know about that might indicate you have anxiety:
What are the signs of anxiety?
The signs of anxiety include:
Excessive worry or dread
Feeling on edge, nervous, restless, or tense.
Physical tension in the body - tense muscles, aches and pains, headaches, neck pain
A sensation of your stomach being in knots
Having a sense of impending danger, panic or feelings of impending doom that can be paralyzing
Experiencing an increased heart rate, heart palpitations, tightness in the chest
Breathing rapidly (hyperventilation), shortness of breath, feeling as if you can’t catch your breath
Sweating excessively or hot flashes
Trembling, dizziness & shaking caused by adrenaline or the fight-or-flight response
Feeling weak, tired, or fatigued
Trouble concentrating or frequently ‘blanking out’ as a result of excessive worrying or poor sleep
Difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or experiencing frequently interrupted sleep (especially due to fear and tension about an upcoming event)
If these symptoms are showing up in your life and it's interfering with your sense of well-being, your relationships, or your ability to function at work or at home, it may be imperative that you seek professional support.
Signs of anxiety can happen anywhere
Anxiety is interesting in that it can come in so many forms and oftentimes symptoms can be missed or misinterpreted. Anxiety can show up in the face of uncertainty, like when someone is in-between jobs or transitioning to college. It can also seem like it just comes up out of the blue for short periods of time and feels very intense. Some people live with anxiety throughout the course of their lives and it doesn’t get in the way. For others, it can feel very scary to experience this discomfort.
Where does anxiety come from?
Anxiety comes from our body’s need to make us aware of danger. It's a natural phenomenon that evolved from the time we were hunters & gatherers. When we spotted a threat or predator, like a lion or bear, our ‘fight-flight-freeze’ system would be activated and help us survive. This alarm system told us “hey, you need to run!” What many people don’t understand is that this alarm system is our friend, it has a purpose, and we need a bit of it to stay aware of our environment and potential harm. So, anxiety is not necessarily a bad thing. All of us are bound to experience some anxiety throughout the course of our lives.
When do I need help with my anxiety?
What happens when anxiety becomes a problem? That same alarm system I mentioned goes off with more ordinary day ‘threats’ or better said, what our minds & bodies might perceive as a threat. This can be an important meeting at work, giving a public speech in front of classmates, the possibility of getting rejected in your dating life, or simply, it's when the fear of an event exceeds our perceived ability to cope with that event.
Some people with anxiety describe themselves as over-worriers…they may be awake late hours of the night, tossing in bed and overthinking….exhausting their minds often thinking about worst-case scenarios. This can be depleting for some as it can take away our ability to have a restful night’s sleep. Others may hold on to the unhelpful notion that this overthinking is something they must partake in as a way to feel more in control over their lives. But at what expense? Oftentimes chronic & debilitating worry & anxiety takes a toll on the mind & body.
How to treat anxiety
Evidence-based therapies like cognitive-behavioral therapy and medication are often the first-line treatment of choice. Medication can provide significant relief from these distressing symptoms and is best when combined with therapy. Medication is not always needed, but this can be discussed on a case-by-case basis.
Lastly, therapy is not a one-size-fits-all and it's important that a professional mental health provider can tailor the treatment to your specific needs. Find a provider that understands what you are going through and to whom you feel comfortable opening up. Anxiety is manageable as long as you find the right tools & support.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy of Central and South Florida offers in-person and virtual CBT for anxiety. Learn more about our therapists or request a consultation to start feeling better today.