In the labyrinth of human emotions, anxiety stands as a formidable and often misunderstood adversary. It’s a feeling we’ve all encountered at some point in our lives, a seemingly omnipresent companion during our most challenging moments. But what exactly is anxiety, and how does it manifest itself in our minds and bodies?
In this exploration, we embark on a journey to demystify anxiety, to untangle the complex web of thoughts, sensations, and behaviours that define this emotional state. Whether you’ve grappled with anxiety yourself or are seeking a deeper understanding of it for the benefit of someone you care about, this blog post aims to shed light on the intricate tapestry of anxiety.
Anxiety is a natural and adaptive response to stress, perceived threats, danger, or misfortune and is distinguished from fear both conceptually and physiologically. Anxiety is an emotion that is characterised by apprehension and somatic symptoms of tension. Muscle tension, rapid breathing, and faster heart rates are symptoms experienced by individuals with anxiety. Although fear and anxiety may be used interchangeably, anxiety is considered future-orientated and has a long-term response.
Somatic symptoms refer to physical sensations or discomfort experienced by a person that are linked to their mental and emotional state.
General anxiety refers to the common emotional state of worry, apprehension, or unease that is triggered by stressors or adversities in an individual’s life. The key difference between general anxiety and a diagnosed disorder is the extent of the effect anxiety has on an individual.
General anxiety develops into a diagnosed disorder when it hinders everyday life for an individual.
Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD) is defined as excessive anxiety and worry about a range of concerns in individuals.
With GAD, worry is often difficult to control and GAD symptoms may occur on more days than not for 6 months or more. GAD’s core emotions and cognitions are marked, and uncontrollable, and invoke anxious worry and fears about everyday events and adversities.
Physical symptoms of GAD are commonly restlessness, fatigue, impaired concentration, irritability, muscle tension, and disturbed sleep. An individual’s behaviour may entail disturbances socially, academically, work-wise, and other daily functioning domains. The median age of onset is usually but more limited to adulthood (around thirty years of age).
If you or someone you know is experiencing symptoms of anxiety that are distressing or interfering with daily life, it’s advisable to seek help from a mental health professional for a proper evaluation and diagnosis.
Anxiety has a wide range of somatic symptoms that affect the body when is perceived as a threat or experiencing stress.
Somatic symptoms include:
Muscle Tension: Anxiety often leads to muscle tension which causes headaches, neck and shoulder pain, and jaw clenching. This tension can cause chronic pain and discomfort.
Heart and Respiratory Changes: Anxiety can increase heart rate and blood pressure, leading to palpitations, chest pain, and shortness of breath as a response to prepare for a perceived threat.
Gastrointestinal Issues: Anxiety can affect the digestive system, leading to symptoms like stomach aches, nausea, diarrhoea, or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). This is due to the release of stress hormones, namely, cortisol and adrenaline.
Sleep Disturbances: Anxiety can disrupt sleep patterns, leading to difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or experiencing restorative sleep. This can result in fatigue and worsen anxiety symptoms.
Immune System: Prolonged exposure to stress and hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline can lead to immunosuppression. Chronic anxiety may weaken the immune system, making the body more susceptible to illnesses and infections.
Skin Problems: Stress and anxiety can exacerbate skin conditions such as acne, eczema, and psoriasis. Some people may also experience excessive sweating or flushing.
Weight Changes: Anxiety can affect eating habits, leading to overeating or undereating. This may result in weight gain or loss.
Cognitive Function: Anxiety can impair concentration and memory, making it difficult to focus or think clearly.
Hormonal Changes: Prolonged stress and anxiety can affect hormone levels in the body, potentially leading to menstrual irregularities in women and other hormonal imbalances.
Cardiovascular Health: Chronic anxiety may contribute to an increased risk of heart disease and other cardiovascular issues due to its impact on blood pressure and heart rate.
Respiratory Issues: Some individuals with anxiety disorders may experience hyperventilation or panic attacks, leading to symptoms like dizziness, light-headedness, and tingling sensations in the extremities.
Anxiety can manifest in a multitude of ways and are unique to individuals, Anxiety is not just a mental state but can cultivate physical and emotional sensations. Here are some common ways anxiety is experienced.
Cognitive symptoms caused by anxiety may include:
Anxiety can also make it difficult to make simple, daily decisions, usually over fear of making incorrect choices.
Emotional symptoms caused by anxiety can often be debilitating, especially if you do not have healthy coping techniques at hand. Some of the most common emotional symptoms include:
Many individuals that experience anxiety explains it as feeling “jittery”, restlessness or, being on edge.
Individuals may feel easily irritated or frustrated, have an intense sense of fear or panic, and individuals may feel dread as if something terrible is about to happen.
As a result of the emotional rollercoaster, people can often feel mentally and emotionally drained.
It can exhaust proactive coping mechanisms as anxiety exceeds an individual’s capacity to overcome it. Anxiety can lead to mood swings, irritability, or emotional volatility.
When speaking about what anxiety looks like on people, it is important to highlight that each person is unique. Anxiety looks and feels different for everyone experiencing it.
In fact, anxiety is not always visible on the surface.
However, some of the most common ways in which it comes out in people’s behaviour are listed below:
Restlessness: Signs include being fidgety, unable to sit still, pacing, trembling, shaking or constantly shifting their weight.
Muscle Tension: seen through a clenched jaw, or visible muscle twitching.
Sweating: Excessive sweating may occur, especially in the palms, forehead, or underarms.
Trembling or Shaking: Visible trembling or shaking of the hands or other body parts can occur during moments of heightened anxiety.
Tearfulness: Some people may cry more easily when they are anxious or overwhelmed.
Weight Changes: Anxiety can lead to changes in appetite, resulting in weight gain or loss.
Sleep Disturbances: Insomnia or disrupted sleep patterns may be observed.
It's important to note that anxiety is not always visible. It can be an internal struggle without any outwardly symptoms. This does not make the experience of anxiety any less real.
Rapid Speech: An anxious person may speak quickly or stutter due to racing thoughts.
Voice Changes: Anxiety can lead to voice tremors or changes in tone, making the voice sound shaky or strained.
Excessive Talking: Some individuals may engage in excessive talking or verbalizing their worries and fears.
Repetitive Questions: Repeatedly asking questions or seeking reassurance is common in people with anxiety.
Avoiding Eye Contact: Individuals may avoid making eye contact as a result of feeling self-conscious or uncomfortable.
Avoiding Certain Situations: People with anxiety may steer clear of situations, places, or activities that trigger their anxiety.
Isolation: Anxiety can lead to social withdrawal and a preference for solitude to avoid potential stressors.
Difficulty Engaging: Anxious individuals may find it challenging to engage in conversations, participate in group activities, or maintain relationships due to their anxiety.
Anxiety can be an internal experience, and individuals may not always show visible signs of distress. Additionally, the severity and expression of anxiety can vary widely among people. Many individuals with anxiety disorders have learned to hide their symptoms or cope with them in ways that are not immediately apparent to others.
American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). American Psychiatric Publishing.
American Psychological Association. (2015). APA dictionary of psychology (G. R. VandenBos, Ed.; 2nd ed.). American Psychological Association.
Gelenburg, A. J. (2000). Psychiatric and somatic markers of anxiety. The Primary Care Companion to the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, 02(02), 49–54. https://doi.org/10.4088/pcc.v02n0204
Penninx, B. W., Pine, D. S., Holmes, E. A., & Reif, A. (2021). Anxiety disorders. The Lancet, 397(10277), 914–927. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0140-6736(21)00359-7
Raypole, C. (2019, March 15). Physical symptoms of anxiety: How does it feel? Healthline; Healthline Media. https://www.healthline.com/health/physical-symptoms-of-anxiety
Disclaimer: All articles are reviewed and edited for quality control by a HPCSA Registered Counsellor. However, this content is intended to be used for educational and/or entertainment purposes and should not be taken as medical advice. Please reach out to a medical professional if you have concerns regarding your mental health.
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