Anxiety Disorder Symptoms

Anxiety disorder symptoms give us insight into how anxiety disorders develop. Stemming from experiences, anxiety/panic and learning, these symptoms can be expressed physically, behaviourally and psychologically. rnMany of them occur across all anxiety disorders reinforcing the belief that these rnproblems are all related. When we truly understand anxiety disorders, we know that it is much more than this. These problems are not just related, they are the same problem, merely expressed in different ways. Here's some of the symptoms that many people experience, whatever their disorder. PHYSICAL These can include:- headaches, digestion problems, bowel problems, allergy-typernproblems, fatigue, constant colds and skin problems and may be due in partrnto the suppression of the body's immune system by chemicals released intornthe bloodstream when anxious. (Please note that any recurring physical symptoms such as pains or functionrnproblems (eg. digestion, bowel) need to be checked out by a medical doctorrnas they could be the signs of underlying physical disease) BEHAVIOURAL - some examples are:- Chronic Shyness Feeling nervous and uncomfortable in the company of other people. (possibly mild social phobia / social anxiety symptoms) Excessive Worrying Persistant and uncontrollable worrying about people / events / situations. (GAD - symptoms general anxiety disorder) Avoidance behaviour Avoiding situations where we can be judged, criticized and rejected or placesrn(eg. outdoors) and objects where we feel vulnerable. (phobias) Obsessions and compulsions Attempts to reassure and protect ourselves - to allay the anxiety over innerrnfears through a sense of control. (OCD - obsessive compulsive disorder symptoms) Hypochondria rnConstantly visiting the Doctor. Every ache and pain becomes associated with being something more serious. Depression Involves feelings of helplessness and hopelessness, that events are beyond our control and everything we try to do fails or will fail. Sexual problems Fears over losing control and being judged on performance can maintain thesernproblems. Others include: aggression, sleep disorders and eating disorders. PSYCHOLOGICAL - expressed in our thoughts, feelings and actions, they can include:- Perfectionism Needing to be the strongest, the most beautiful, the cleverest, the mostrnhandsome, have the best body, to do the best, to be the best etc. Comparing Always comparing ourselves with others and coming up short. Self-consciousness Constantly watching ourselves. Child-like Desperately needing the love and approval of parents and others. Fantasies Common ones include:- one day being rich/famous/great, loved by all. Excessive Tidiness Represent attempts to bring form and order to our world, to gain a sense ofrnbeing in control. Symmetry Here, what is done by (happens to) one side of the body must be done by (happen to) the other side - also related to order and control. Ending sentences with questions To shift the attention away from us to the other person. Mild paranoia Involves constant feelings of 'being picked on' and 'others are treated better'. Body image Believing our body, or parts of it, are 'not good enough'. Posture Standing shoulders down, feet inwards and arms in front of body, trying to bernsmall, almost apologetic for being there. Others include: persistent negative thoughts and images, constantly looking back for reasons and answers and feelings of having no controlrnover our mind or body. Which anxiety disorder symptoms exist, the number of symptoms, the extent to which they occur, the situations in which they appear and the way they interact with each other are as complex as the individual and the events experienced.rnThey can support and confirm each other and strengthen until they become part ofrnthe make up of an individual. It's not surprising that we tend to use such phrases as "It's just the way I am" and "It's just part of me". However, such behaviours do make up JUST PART of a person. Someone who is sad - is also at times happy, weak - is at times strong, scared - isrnat times brave and unconfident - is at times confident! The psychological symptoms above give us a massive clue as to what anxiety disorders really are and how we get them. They also show us how it is possible to cure anxiety disorders completely.