Anxiety Symptoms

Symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder can vary in intensity; different combinations of symptoms may occur at different times.

Anxiety symptoms are classified as psychological or physical.

Psychological symtpoms of anxiety

• Excessive worry, inability to relax

• Restlessness, a feeling of being on edge

• Difficulty concentrating, easy distractibility

• Irritability, impatience

• Poor sleep

Physical symtpoms of anxiety

• Fatigue

• Muscle tension, twitching, and trembling

• Headache Dizziness, light headedness

• Dry mouth, grinding of teeth Excessive sweating

• Chest pain, shortness of breath

• Stomach ache with nausea and/or diarrhoea

Diagnosis of Anxiety

A comprehensive psychological evaluation by a psychiatrist or a psychologist is required before a diagnosis of anxiety disorder can be made. Details pertaining to your worries, fears, emotional well-being and obsessions, if any, are generally required. A general physical examination may be carried out, to exclude underlying physical causes of anxiety. Some medical conditions such as thyroid disease, diabetes, and migraine may produce symptoms mimicking anxiety states. No laboratory tests are available to conduct a diagnosis of anxiety disorder.

A diagnosis of GAD is based on the severity and duration of symptoms, and whether these interfere with daily life. Extreme anxiety that causes significant impairment in everyday life for a period of at least six months is treated as the basis for a diagnosis of GAD.