Do I Have Anxiety? Here’s How to Tell
If you’ve ever wondered, “Do I have anxiety?”—you’re not alone. Let’s break it down and explore the symptoms, so you can get a better sense of what’s going on inside that busy brain of yours.
The Sneaky Symptoms of Anxiety
Anxiety doesn’t always burst onto the scene like the Kool-Aid guy. Sometimes, it creeps in slowly, disguising itself as everyday stress or exhaustion. Typically, you’ll notice a combination of physical, emotional, and behavioral symptoms that can clue you into the presence of anxiety. Here’s what to look for:
Physical Symptoms
Our bodies are amazing and will manifest what’s going on in our heads! If you experience any of these physical symptoms on a regular basis, your body may be trying to tell you that Anxiety is paying a visit:
A racing heart (even when you’re not doing anything strenuous)
Shortness of breath or feeling like you can’t take a deep breath
Stomach troubles (nausea, IBS-like symptoms, or a nervous stomach)
Muscle tension, headaches, or unexplained aches and pains
Dizziness or lightheadedness
Fatigue (because anxiety is exhausting!)
Emotional and Mental Symptoms
If you have anxiety, these symptoms may feel normal/standard for you, and you may not even realize you’re doing them:
Constant worrying about the future, or imagining worst-case scenarios
Brain constantly going down fear- or stress-inducing rabbit holes
Feeling restless or on edge, even in calm situations
Difficulty concentrating or feeling like your thoughts are scattered
Irritability or feeling unusually short-tempered
A sense of impending doom like something bad is about to happen (even when you logically know that everything is technically fine)
Behavioral Symptoms
Here’s what you might notice in your actions and/or experiences if you have anxiety:
Avoiding social situations or events because they feel overwhelming
Procrastination or perfectionism (fear of failing doing it wrong - if you do it at all)
Trouble sleeping (either struggling to fall asleep or waking up multiple times during the night)
Feeling the need to control things around you to feel safe
Engaging in repetitive habits, like nail-biting or or foot-bouncing, to self-soothe
Did these symptoms resonate with you? If you find yourself feeling anxious more days than not, or if it’s interfering with your daily life, it may be time to consider talking to a therapist. Therapy, mindfulness techniques, exercise, and sometimes even small lifestyle changes can make a world of difference. The first step is recognizing the signs and giving yourself permission to seek support.
