Symptoms of anxiety

Physical symptoms

When you have anxiety, your body can react in different ways.

For example, you might experience:

• sweating
• a rapid heart rate
• a tight chest
• a dry mouth
• hot and cold flushes
• loss of appetite
• feeling weak or tired
• difficulty breathing
• feeling sick in the stomach
• feeling like you need to go to the toilet
• digestion issues
• changes in appetite
• sleeping difficulties
• shaking or trembling
• headaches
• panic attacks.

If you are worried about any of these symptoms, and if they persist, talk to your doctor.

Mental and emotional symptoms

When you feel anxious, you might experience different mental and emotional symptoms.

For example, you might:

• think about your fears a lot
• imagine worst-case scenarios (also known as 'catastrophising')
• fear that people will notice you’re anxious
• fear that you will have physical symptoms associated with your anxiety
• have racing thoughts that feel uncontrollable
• cry
• feel angry
• feel restless
• find it hard to concentrate.
  

Behavioural symptoms

Sometimes anxiety can lead to changes in the way you behave.

For example, you might:

• avoid situations where you might feel judged or embarrassed
• avoid talking to others, especially strangers
• avoid social gatherings
• avoid places that might make you feel anxious, such as shopping centres or lifts
• struggle to meet work, study or home commitments
• increase the use of substances, such as alcohol
• find it hard to sleep.

This web page is designed to be informative and educational. It is not intended to provide specific medical advice or replace advice from your health practitioner. The information above is based on current medical knowledge, evidence and practice as at June 2022.