What are the symptoms of an anxiety disorder?

Health officials report that anxiety disorders present with a range of emotional, cognitive and physical symptoms that can disrupt daily life. Mental health clinicians warn that recognizing common signs can speed diagnosis and treatment.

Common symptoms include persistent, excessive worry about multiple topics; difficulty controlling worry; restlessness or feeling keyed up; fatigue; trouble concentrating; irritability; muscle tension; and disturbed sleep. Patients often report difficulty completing usual tasks because worries interfere with attention and decision making.

Panic attacks are marked by sudden intense fear accompanied by palpitations, sweating, trembling, shortness of breath, chest pain, dizziness, or a sense of unreality. Agoraphobia and other avoidance behaviors may develop when people begin avoiding places or situations that they associate with panic. Somatic complaints such as headaches, gastrointestinal upset and chronic pain are frequently documented.

Diagnostic guidance from the American Psychiatric Association and the DSM-5 notes duration criteria for certain disorders; for example, generalized anxiety disorder typically requires symptoms to persist for six months or more and to cause clinically significant impairment. The National Institute of Mental Health estimates that about 19 percent of adults experience an anxiety disorder annually.

Clinicians emphasize early assessment. “Prompt evaluation by a licensed mental health professional can differentiate anxiety disorders from medical causes and guide evidence-based care,” said Dr. Laura Bennett, a clinical psychologist with two decades of experience in community mental health.

Treatment options commonly include psychotherapy, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, medications, and lifestyle interventions including sleep hygiene and physical activity.

Local primary care providers and certified counselors can arrange assessment, and evidence-based online programs and peer-support groups often supplement clinical care. Insurance coverage and community resources vary; clinicians advise contacting a provider or local mental health agency.