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
Anxiety is defined as having overwhelming thoughts of fear and worries that continue for six months or longer. There are many other symptoms connected with anxiety disorders and these often vary from person to person depending on the type and severity of the disorder.
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.
The body of a person suffering from anxiety is in a constant state of alertness. They are always looking out for danger and tend to anticipate the worst scenarios. Oftentimes, people who are around an anxiety sufferer will see this person as pessimistic.
Most people who suffer from anxiety also suffer from Agoraphobia or fear of public places. This is most often seen in those with obsessive compulsive disorder. While most anxiety sufferers do not necessarily experience OCD, for the most part it is very common to a lesser degree.
Some anxiety sufferers may also be afflicted with depression and hallucinations. This general occurs in those with severe anxiety and can often lead to thoughts of suicide.
For those suffering with anxiety disorders, worrisome, irrational, and negative feelings are persistent.
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.
Some of the most common physical symptoms include an increased heart rate and higher blood pressure, sweating, dizziness, and headaches. A person with anxiety often has trouble taking deep breaths and hyperventilates quite frequently. He or she may experience fatigue, insomnia, and hyperactivity.
Since a person with anxiety has excess adrenaline, the body can experience muscle tension and body aches/ In addition, the excess adrenaline also accounts for the alteration in moods.
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.
An additional symptom reported by anxiety sufferers during extreme anxiety is a heightened 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.
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
Anxiety is defined as having overwhelming thoughts of fear and worries that continue for six months or longer. There are many other symptoms connected with anxiety disorders and these often vary from person to person depending on the type and severity of the disorder.
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.
The body of a person suffering from anxiety is in a constant state of alertness. They are always looking out for danger and tend to anticipate the worst scenarios. Oftentimes, people who are around an anxiety sufferer will see this person as pessimistic.
Most people who suffer from anxiety also suffer from Agoraphobia or fear of public places. This is most often seen in those with obsessive compulsive disorder. While most anxiety sufferers do not necessarily experience OCD, for the most part it is very common to a lesser degree.
Some anxiety sufferers may also be afflicted with depression and hallucinations. This general occurs in those with severe anxiety and can often lead to thoughts of suicide.
For those suffering with anxiety disorders, worrisome, irrational, and negative feelings are persistent.
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.
Some of the most common physical symptoms include an increased heart rate and higher blood pressure, sweating, dizziness, and headaches. A person with anxiety often has trouble taking deep breaths and hyperventilates quite frequently. He or she may experience fatigue, insomnia, and hyperactivity.
Since a person with anxiety has excess adrenaline, the body can experience muscle tension and body aches/ In addition, the excess adrenaline also accounts for the alteration in moods.
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.
An additional symptom reported by anxiety sufferers during extreme anxiety is a heightened 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.
About the Author:
An established writer, Funmi Salami loves to share her health related knowledge and experience. Her articles about Anxiety Disorder Physiology and Anxiety Cognitive Behavioral Therapy can be found on Clivir.com - the free learning community site.
