Anxiety is a healthy emotion, just like all emotions. We all have the tendency to feel it from time to time. However, anxiety can be a problem if the stress you feel is too high. You may feel anxious about a job interview, upcoming test or first date. This is normal. If you experience anxiety symptoms that are not apparent, or if everyday activities make you anxious (e.g., leaving your home), it may be time for a professional in mental health. You need to identify the symptoms in order to determine if anxiety is severe.
1. Physical symptoms
Anxiety symptoms include an upset stomach and excessive sweating. Unhealthily anxious people may experience a stomachache when you are invited to social functions. They might also feel sweaty and irritable. Your anxiety may not be healthy if your body reacts to stressors every day in the same way that a caveman would to a lion.
2. Cognitive Symptoms
An anxiety problem can also manifest in memory problems, difficulty concentrating and insomnia. Anxiety can also cause you to wake up frequently, or you have trouble falling asleep, and you are constantly thinking about the things that stress your life. It doesn’t matter if your attention is occupied with work or watching a movie or reading a book. Or if you are constantly forgetting what happened recently. It can be difficult to function normally if you are extremely anxious about something, even though it may seem “irrational”.
3. Avoidance and Procrastination
An anxiety problem can manifest in a procrastinating attitude or avoidance of doing something. It’s normal to put off difficult or unpleasant tasks. However, if you spend more time avoiding than doing, then it might be time for outside help.
4. Overthinking and constant worry
An anxiety problem is when you worry so much that it makes you unable to function or if you are constantly worrying that you lose track of your surroundings, or if you have difficulty focusing on work or sleeping at night, then you might be suffering from anxiety. You lose control of your surroundings and your mind races. Your freeway exit is missed because you are so engulfed in stressful thoughts, your mind becomes frantic. When anxiety disrupts your life, it can go from being healthy to becoming unhealthy. It’s normal to be worried about a recent diagnosis of your health. You don’t have to be afraid you will die every time you sneeze.
5. Feeling restless and agitated
Anxiety can manifest as a feeling of being on edge. Anger can masquerade as anxiety. But did you know that anxiety could also masquerade as anger? Anger can be used to protect you from worrying thoughts. Anger can be a way to shield yourself from stressful thoughts. You don’t have the time to dwell on anxious thoughts if you are always moving. Both of these responses are not healthy and will not be helpful long-term. If you feel restless and agitated more often than usual, if you are unable to stop moving, prone to getting annoyed, or prone snapping at others, then you might have anxiety.
6. Panic Attacks
People mistake panic attacks for heart attacks all too often. A heart attack can be misdiagnosed as tightness in the chest, rapid heartbeats, sweating, shaking, shortness or no breath and upset stomach. You should be aware of the signs and symptoms of heart attacks so you don’t mistakenly dismiss them as panic attacks. If you experience frequent panic attacks, it could be a sign that you have panic disorder.
Ask yourself if you can manage your anxiety. This will help you distinguish between healthy and unhealthy anxiety. You may need to see a therapist if your anxiety prevents you from sleeping, working, or running errands. It’s time to seek treatment if you are feeling anxious for longer than half of the week or for more than six months.
