Anxiety affects 40 million adults and is the most common mental health disorder in the United States. It can be hard to pin down because it can come with many possible symptoms.
This blog lays out the well-known symptoms of anxiety along with some that are more unusual. This will help you identify what you’re dealing with. Any of these symptoms alone doesn’t automatically indicate anxiety. The combination of a few over several months is where the magic happens. If you’re experiencing several you should consider connecting with a therapist to learn how to best manage your anxiety.
Many of these symptoms can also come from other conditions. Get checked over by your primary care doctor to make sure you’re not dealing with another health issue instead of, or along with, your anxiety.
Symptoms of Anxiety from a St. Louis, MO Therapist:
1. Persistent worry
Generalized anxiety disorder comes with worry and tension that shows up more often than not for at least six months. If you fixate on problems and can’t distract yourself, you’re probably dealing with an anxiety disorder. The problems don’t have to be real or in proportion to the situation; they cause distress and that creates a problem for you.
2. Difficulty focusing
Trying to keep your brain on task when you’re anxious is like trying to direct a flea. Your thoughts are racing which makes it hard to keep them on one topic long enough to get anything done. Your entire nervous system is on high alert, and your brain wants to focus on protecting you not on finishing your work tasks.
3. Stomach problems
There are a host of stomach issues connected with anxiety. It can cause heartburn, indigestion, gas, stomach pain, queasiness, and a major loss of appetite. This can come and go or be a constant problem.
4. Sleep Problems
Anxiety can affect your sleep at both ends of the night. Racing thoughts and an over-active nervous system will keep you up, and during the day you might have trouble staying awake. It might seem counter-intuitive that being stressed would make you sleepy but think of it as your brain trying to force you to take a break.
5. Heart irregularities
Panic attacks often come with a racing heart. Even when you’re not having an actual panic attack, anxious episodes can increase your heartrate or cause heart palpitations. If you’re worried about your health, get checked by a doctor to make sure everything’s normal. If your health is good, the racing heart might be scary, but try not to let it add to your panic.
6. Derealization
People who experience derealization start feeling disconnected from their surroundings. This might feel like a dream state or watching yourself from outside your own body. This can be a response to intense anxiety or to past trauma. Some people have this symptom for just a minute, but sometimes it stays longer.
7. Hair loss
We talk about pulling our hair out when we’re worried or stressed, but hair loss can be a symptom of anxiety. This usually happens in response to a prolonged anxious period. We all shed, but if you’re dealing with a major stressor in your life this might increase. When your body readjusts this will usually stop, and things will even out.
8. Body aches
Like with stomach issues, anxiety can mess with the rest of your body. You can have sore muscles, frequent headaches, or general aches and pains. Sometimes these come from constantly clenching all your muscles but sometimes it’s harder to find the original cause.
9. Sweating and shaking
You might sweat persistently or break into a sweat when you enter a stressful situation. This happens to a lot of people when they do high-anxiety activities like public speaking or driving. This symptom might not seem distressing, but it can make public interactions uncomfortable or awkward.
10. Hives and skin issues
Anxious people may deal with acne outbreaks or unexplained rashes. These can look like an allergic reaction, but if they’re not, your body might just be allergic to high levels of stress.
11. Phantom sensations
Anxiety might give you tingling or vibrating sensations on your skin. You could also get some numbness in your hands and feet, or pins and needles. You might also get blurred vision, or you could hear ringing in your ears. This is called tinnitus.
None of these symptoms alone means you have anxiety. But if you have many combined then you’re probably dealing with an anxiety disorder and should reach out for help. It can be hard to get medical professionals to take some of these symptoms seriously because it’s hard to find a cause. But remember that your discomfort is real, and you deserve support.
People dealing with anxiety who live in the St. Louis area can get help from the trained therapists at Marble Wellness. Our team will support you and help you find the best ways to care for your mental health.
Start Therapy for Anxiety in St. Louis, MO
If you live in St. Louis and are ready to kick your anxiety to the curb, we are here to help.
Whether it’s low-grade anxiety or the kind of anxiety that is robbing you of thriving in your life, our Marble Wellness mental health therapists can provide in-person or virtual sessions to help you. We also offer park therapy! You can reach out to us on our website, request an appointment online, or give our team a call today to get started. Please reach out to us and we will help get you started as quickly as possible.
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Additional Counseling Services at Marble Wellness in St. Louis, MO and Chicago, IL
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St. Louis
Our St. Louis team of therapists have a variety of training backgrounds and areas of expertise. We specialize in anxiety, depression, grief, chronic illness, therapy for men, couples, and maternal overwhelm. We can also help new moms with various postpartum concerns, moms in the thick of parenting, and moms with teens. We can also chat from wherever you are in the state with online therapy in Missouri and online therapy in Illinois. No matter where you are in your journey, we would love to support you.
Chicago
Our Chicago team of therapists offer a wide range of mental health services to help our clients through the different challenges and hurdles in their life. In addition to anxiety, depression, grief, therapy for men, and maternal overwhelm, we are specialized in professional burnout, therapy for breakups, and love partnering with working moms.
