If you think that you might be experiencing anxiety symptoms, or that you might be suffering from an anxiety disorder, then you are probably wondering what, exactly, anxiety symptoms are.

In no particular order, here are nine of the most common anxiety symptoms:

1. Persistent, usually unexplained fear.  This is probably the most common and telling of all the anxiety symptoms. If you feel scared or worried all the time, for no apparent reason, then there is a good chance you are suffering from an anxiety disorder.
2. A racing heart.  Another of the most common anxiety symptoms, many sufferers report palpitations.  In fact, some even believe they are having a heart attack when they have a panic or anxiety attack!
3. Muscle aches or tension.  When you are anxious, you tend to tense your muscles without thinking about it.  Over time, this can lead to muscle aches, another of the common anxiety symptoms.
4. Sweaty palms or flushing.  This may be a cliché, but it is also one of the most common anxiety symptoms around.  If you find yourself literally hot and bothered often, you might be suffering from an anxiety disorder.
5. Changes to your sleeping patterns.  Insomnia is one of the more common anxiety symptoms, and people who suffer from anxiety disorders often have trouble sleeping too. Nightmares are another common symptom of anxiety, especially in children.
6. Changing to your eating patterns.  Like other mild mental disorders, one of the common anxiety symptoms is to lose, or gain, weight because your eating patterns have changed.
7. Abdominal distress, particularly diarrhea, is a common symptom of an anxiety disorder too – particularly when combined with other symptoms.
8. Irritability, and an inability to concentrate, is two more common symptoms of anxiety.  Many people find that they have trouble remembering, focusing, or regulating their moods.
9. Finally, a loss of sex drive, when combined with other anxiety symptoms, can indicate that you might have an anxiety disorder. If you’re feeling that you have no desire for sex, because you’re always worrying, then the root cause could very well be anxiety.

The trouble with GAD, or generalised anxiety disorder, is that often, people do not realise that they have it.  Anxiety symptoms can start out very subtly, and you might not notice them at first. Many anxiety sufferers also suffer from depression as well as anxiety, or their anxiety symptoms causes them to isolate themselves, which leads to depression.

The good news is that anxiety symptoms are usually completely manageable and treatable, and there are many different ways to do so, including therapy and medication.

So if you are suffering from anxiety symptoms, it’s a good idea to find out more about anxiety disorders, anxiety treatments, and anxiety therapies, and if you suspect that you might have one of these disorders, speak to a doctor or therapist.  Again, anxiety symptoms are completely treatable in most cases, but they will not go away on their own.  You will need to be proactive, recognise your symptoms, and seek help.

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