What are the main symptoms of anxiety disorders?

Anxiety disorders manifest with a range of psychological and physical symptoms that interfere with daily life. Clinicians recognize several core symptoms across generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, and specific phobias.

Excessive, difficult-to-control worry is central to generalized anxiety disorder. Individuals often describe persistent anticipatory concerns about work, health, finances, or relationships. Cognitive symptoms include difficulty concentrating, memory lapses, and intrusive thoughts. Behavioral signs include avoidance of stressful situations and reassurance seeking.

Physiological symptoms commonly accompany anxiety: restlessness or feeling keyed up, fatigue, muscle tension, headaches, gastrointestinal upset, and sleep disturbance such as trouble falling or staying asleep. Palpitations, sweating, trembling, shortness of breath, chest discomfort, lightheadedness, and numbness are frequent during acute anxiety or panic attacks.

Panic attacks are abrupt surges of intense fear with marked physical symptoms and a sense of impending doom or loss of control. Recurrent unexpected panic attacks and fear of future attacks characterize panic disorder.

Social anxiety disorder involves intense fear of scrutiny in social or performance situations, leading to avoidance, blushing, trembling, and anticipatory anxiety that impairs social or occupational functioning. Specific phobias produce marked fear or avoidance of particular objects or situations disproportionate to actual danger.

Symptoms must cause clinically significant distress or impairment and typically persist for weeks to months. Presentation can vary by age, culture, and medical comorbidity, so assessment by a qualified mental health professional is important. Evidence-based treatments include cognitive behavioral therapy, medication such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, and lifestyle strategies like regular exercise, sleep hygiene, and stress management. Crisis signs requiring immediate care include suicidal ideation, inability to function, or signs of severe medical distress. Early recognition, open communication with clinicians, and personalized treatment planning improve outcomes and reduce chronicity, and family support often enhances engagement and recovery across diverse populations and life stages.