What Are the Symptoms of Anxiety & What Makes Anxiety Symptoms Worse?

Did you know anxiety disorders are the most common mental illness in the United States? It affects over 40 million American adults every year – that’s over 18% of the population. And while anxiety disorders are treatable, less than 40% of anxiety patients receive treatment, according to the Anxiety and Depression Association. These numbers are alarming for many reasons, but they certainly highlight the complete lack of awareness we have over just how common and destructive anxiety can be. It not only has a negative impact on your mental health, but also your physical, emotional, and spiritual health. With early detection, the right treatment plan, and full cooperation, anxiety patients can once again live a normal, happy, and healthy lifestyle. That’s why if you feel you’re living or struggling with an anxiety disorder, you should always contact your doctor or physician immediately.

SO, WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF ANXIETY?

Of course, the key to early detection is having a deep understanding of the various symptoms of anxiety – which requires confirmation of the type of anxiety disorder you’re experiencing. Common types include generalized anxiety disorder, separation anxiety disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, social anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and other anxiety disorders. The symptoms can largely be broken down into three different categories: physical symptoms, mental symptoms, and behavioral symptoms. Don’t worry, we’ll break it all down for you below!

PHYSICAL SYMPTOMS OF ANXIETY DISORDERS

Physical signs are those that impact your body physically. Most people never consider the physical signs of anxiety disorders because they feel it’s purely a mental issue. They couldn’t be more wrong. In fact, these physical signs can wreak havoc on the anxiety patient. Let’s take a look at some of the most common physical signs of anxiety:

• • • Dry mouth
    • Nausea and upset stomach
    • Muscle tension and pain
    • Heart palpitations and shortness of breath
    • Tingling hands or feet
    • Cold or sweaty hands
    • Weakness or fatigue
    • Headaches

The physical signs of anxiety disorders can be alarming. You might be wondering why your body is reacting so weirdly and why it isn’t functioning normally. If you experience any of these symptoms, you should seek help from a medical or mental health professional immediately.

MENTAL SYMPTOMS OF ANXIETY DISORDERS

Mental symptoms are those that impact your brain function and mental state. They’re what most people associate anxiety disorders with and can take the quality out of anyone’s life. They wear you down, they remove that sense of purpose in your life, and they can lead to other mental conditions. Let’s take a look at some of the most common mental signs of anxiety:

• • • An uneasy feeling that spurs panic and fear
    • Recurring and traumatic flashbacks or thoughts
    • Frequent nightmares
    • Obsessive and uncontrollable thoughts
    • Having a hard time staying focused or concentrating
    • Excessive worrying about unimportant things

The mental symptoms of anxiety disorders can make you feel like you don’t have a place in this world. They can completely take you out of your element and strip you of all joy, happiness, and confidence. To prevent these symptoms from getting worse, contact your doctor right away.

BEHAVIORAL SYMPTOMS OF ANXIETY DISORDERS

Next to the mental symptoms, the behavioral symptoms are most commonly associated with anxiety. These symptoms can be some of the most obvious symptoms at times and are a major reason why so many anxiety patients eventually seek help for their anxiety. Let’s take a look at some of the most common behavioral signs of anxiety:

• • • Having a hard time staying still
    • Inability to relax or calm down
    • Ritualistic, OCD-like behaviors
    • Not getting enough quality sleep
    • Avoiding certain situations
    • Lack of social interaction and connection

Not only do these behavioral symptoms impact the individual patient, but they impact the lives of those around the patient. Getting the right help as soon as possible is essential to regaining that quality in your life. If you experience any of these symptoms, don’t hesitate to reach out for help.

ANXIETY DISORDER SYMPTOMS IN EARLY CHILDHOOD

While anxiety is the most common mental illness among adults, that doesn’t mean it isn’t common in children. In fact, 4.4 million children aged 3-17 years old are diagnosed with anxiety “” roughly 7% of the population “” and most of those kids won’t be diagnosed or treated for it. Let’s take a look at some of the most common symptoms of an anxiety disorder in early childhood:

• • • Thumping heartbeat and rapid breathing
    • Inability to sit still in class or at home
    • Tense muscles and sweating
    • Nausea and upset stomach
    • Clingy and throw frequent tantrums
    • Difficulty falling asleep
    • Inability to concentrate or focus
    • Mood changes and sudden irritability

No one wants to see their child struggle with anxiety throughout their childhood. They need a strong support system to maintain their physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health. If you notice any of these symptoms in a child, reach out to a health professional immediately.

FACTORS THAT MAKE AN ANXIETY DISORDER WORSE

There are a variety of things that can make your anxiety disorder worse and these things should be avoided at all times. Of course, the key to avoiding them is understanding what those triggers are. While it’s different for everyone, there are a number of common anxiety disorder triggers. Let’s take a look at some of the most common factors that worsen your symptoms of anxiety:

• • • Chronic illness or serious health concern
    • Taking certain medications
    • Excessive or frequent caffeine intake
    • Not eating a regular, well-balanced diet
    • Negative thoughts and worries
    • Financial concerns and burdens
    • Parties, social events, or gatherings
    • Stressful and high-pressured situations
    • Conflict with other people or things

Identifying what your triggers are is essential to early detection and proper treatment. Once you have a deeper understanding of what’s making your symptoms worse, you can start to determine how to best avoid those triggers and eventually reduce your symptoms altogether.

CAN DEEP TMS AT COLORADO RECOVERY SOLUTIONS HELP?

If you’re interested in drug-free alternatives to medication or are looking for ways to complement your current treatment plan, Deep TMS can be a safe and effective option for you. It uses electromagnetic fields that penetrate deep into the brain to spur and stimulate brain activity.

To learn more about Deep TMS or to see if psychiatry services in colorado springs is right for you, contact Colorado Recovery Solutions today and schedule an appointment with Dr. Ashley Johnson. Together, we can help you find peace in your life and help you overcome those terrible anxiety disorder symptoms.