If you believe you may be suffering from anxiety, it’s important to pay special attention to your thoughts and body. Anxiety shows up differently for everyone, but there are some common indicators that suggest when “normal worry” might be growing into a more serious condition.

Emotions - Anxiety often brings about excessive and ongoing worry or fear. You may find yourself constantly anticipating the worst, even when there is little reason to be concerned. Feelings of restlessness, irritability, and edginess are common. If the amount of worrying that you’re doing is not in proportion to the actual situations you face, this could be a sign of an anxiety disorder.

Body - Anxiety can produce a host of physical symptoms. These are perhaps the easiest to observe and include increased heart rate, unusual sweating, trembling, and a shortness of breath. You might also have frequent headaches, stomachaches, or general muscle tension. Anxiety can lead to trouble sleeping, fatigue, and dizziness. Panic attacks - which are sudden and intense episodes of fear – that are accompanied by these physical symptoms are a clear indicator of anxiety.

Behavior - Anxiety may cause you to avoid certain situations that are triggers for your fears. One example would be avoiding social gatherings. This type avoidance can interfere with your ability to work, study, or maintain important relationships.

Stopping to reflect on what you’ve been experiencing is critical in recognizing anxiety. If these types of symptoms persist for six months or more – or these symptoms are significantly impacting your daily life – it could be time to seek professional help. Therapists can provide a thorough assessment that may result in a diagnosis of anxiety. They can also recommend effective treatments, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), to help manage and relieve symptoms related to anxiety.

Healing Pathways of Houston is Houston’s most trusted provider of mental health therapy for individuals, couples, and the family. Helping you cope with anxiety is one of our specialties. Reach out today to learn more. We look forward to learning all about you.