Signs of Anxiety

• Dry mouth
• Pounding heart, increased heart rate or palpitations
• Chest pain or discomfort
• Shortness of breath
• Breathing rapidly (hyperventilation)
• Tightness in the throat or feeling like you’re choking
• Sweating
• Cold, numb or tingling hands or feet
• Headache
• Feeling faint or dizzy, light-headed
• Chills or hot flashes
• Nausea or upset stomach
• Abdominal pain or gastrointestinal problems
• Trembling or shaking
• Feeling weak or tired, fatigue
• Numbness or tingling (paresthesia)
• Muscle tension
• Frequent urination
• Shaking or trembling

• Fear, panic, uneasiness
• Feeling nervous or tense
• Apprehension and worry
• Distress
• Restlessness
• Having a sense of impending danger or doom
• Not being able to stay calm and still
• Difficulty concentrating or thinking
• Irritability or explosive anger
• Having the urge to avoid things that trigger anxiety
• Personality changes such as becoming less social
• Having trouble sleeping, sleep problems
• Sadness
• Feeling pressured and hurried

Not every anxiety attack may experience all these symptoms. Anxiety attacks can be mild, moderate, or severe, depending on the trigger and how the person reacts to it. For example, faced with an interview, some people might feel apprehensive, while others may experience many of the symptoms above.

Usually, the thing feared or perceived danger passes, symptoms go away. The anxiety that is triggered by a specific event that continues for a long time may be a sign of social anxiety disorder.