Most often, people suffering from anxiety believe they only have a character flaw, not a mental disorder.
For anxiety sufferers, the labels of moody and paranoid are often attached to them. Stressful situations become difficult to deal with and they are seen as blowing things out of proportion.
Psychological Symptoms
The defining symptom of all anxiety disorders is having overwhelming thoughts of fears and worries that last for six months or more. There are several other symptoms of anxiety disorders, and they vary according to the type and severity of the anxiety.
A short temper, irritability and impatience are common symptoms anxiety sufferers deal with along with restlessness, trouble concentrating and the inability to complete tasks or goals. Further symptoms include the inability to express thoughts coherently along with complaints of the mind going blank.
There are physical tolls the body endures as well from a person afflicted with anxiety. The person will often be constantly on the lookout for danger or tend to think of the worst possible scenarios. In these cases, people around them will usually see the sufferer as pessimistic.
Some people with anxiety may also experience agoraphobia, or fear of public spaces. This is especially the case of people with obsessive-compulsive disorders, although other anxiety disorder sufferers are prone to this problem as well, though likely to a lesser degree.
If the anxiety disorder is severe, he person may experience depression and hallucinations. In these cases, thoughts of suicide are often present.
Excessive thoughts of worry, fear, irrationality and negative feelings are persistent in those suffering from anxiety.
Physical Symptoms
While anxiety is a psychological disorder, it can have an effect on the body as well. This will hinder the person's ability to function in everyday life.
Common physical symptoms include increased heart rate, high blood pressure, sweating, dizziness and headaches. In addition, difficulty inhaling deep breaths can lead to frequent hyperventilation and other symptoms such as fatigue, insomnia and hyperactivity may also occur.
As the body is exposed to excessive amounts of adrenaline from a person suffering with anxiety, this person may also experience muscle tension and body aches. The excess adrenaline rush is also accountable for the mood swings.
And when the mind spends so much time in a state of worry, other bodily functions are compromised. This leads to a loss of appetite or nausea, diarrhea, or frequent urination, and constantly being thirsty. Many anxiety sufferers even complain about a reduced sex drive.
Other Anxiety Symptoms
However, not all anxiety sufferers experience the same symptoms. In fact, some experience the opposite of the ones mentioned earlier. In most cases, these symptoms are brought on during a high level of anxiety such as someone suffering from SAD who finds themselves in the middle of a group of strangers.
One symptom is excessively low blood pressure. This reaction does not allow the proper oxygen and nutrient levels to get to the brain.
Another symptom reported during high levels of anxiety is a heightened degree of sex drive.
Food cravings have also been reported. In most cases, sugar was at the top of the list. It is believed that this occurs due to the excessively low blood pressure during a heightened anxiety episode. - 30309
For anxiety sufferers, the labels of moody and paranoid are often attached to them. Stressful situations become difficult to deal with and they are seen as blowing things out of proportion.
Psychological Symptoms
The defining symptom of all anxiety disorders is having overwhelming thoughts of fears and worries that last for six months or more. There are several other symptoms of anxiety disorders, and they vary according to the type and severity of the anxiety.
A short temper, irritability and impatience are common symptoms anxiety sufferers deal with along with restlessness, trouble concentrating and the inability to complete tasks or goals. Further symptoms include the inability to express thoughts coherently along with complaints of the mind going blank.
There are physical tolls the body endures as well from a person afflicted with anxiety. The person will often be constantly on the lookout for danger or tend to think of the worst possible scenarios. In these cases, people around them will usually see the sufferer as pessimistic.
Some people with anxiety may also experience agoraphobia, or fear of public spaces. This is especially the case of people with obsessive-compulsive disorders, although other anxiety disorder sufferers are prone to this problem as well, though likely to a lesser degree.
If the anxiety disorder is severe, he person may experience depression and hallucinations. In these cases, thoughts of suicide are often present.
Excessive thoughts of worry, fear, irrationality and negative feelings are persistent in those suffering from anxiety.
Physical Symptoms
While anxiety is a psychological disorder, it can have an effect on the body as well. This will hinder the person's ability to function in everyday life.
Common physical symptoms include increased heart rate, high blood pressure, sweating, dizziness and headaches. In addition, difficulty inhaling deep breaths can lead to frequent hyperventilation and other symptoms such as fatigue, insomnia and hyperactivity may also occur.
As the body is exposed to excessive amounts of adrenaline from a person suffering with anxiety, this person may also experience muscle tension and body aches. The excess adrenaline rush is also accountable for the mood swings.
And when the mind spends so much time in a state of worry, other bodily functions are compromised. This leads to a loss of appetite or nausea, diarrhea, or frequent urination, and constantly being thirsty. Many anxiety sufferers even complain about a reduced sex drive.
Other Anxiety Symptoms
However, not all anxiety sufferers experience the same symptoms. In fact, some experience the opposite of the ones mentioned earlier. In most cases, these symptoms are brought on during a high level of anxiety such as someone suffering from SAD who finds themselves in the middle of a group of strangers.
One symptom is excessively low blood pressure. This reaction does not allow the proper oxygen and nutrient levels to get to the brain.
Another symptom reported during high levels of anxiety is a heightened degree of sex drive.
Food cravings have also been reported. In most cases, sugar was at the top of the list. It is believed that this occurs due to the excessively low blood pressure during a heightened anxiety episode. - 30309
About the Author:
Funmi Salami is a featured writer on Clivir.com. She loves to share her knowledge and do so by contributing articles about Anxiety Attack Symptoms and Benzodiazepines Medication for Anxiety.
