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Signs & Symptoms of Fear & Anxiety

Anxiety and fear are normal responses to stressful or dangerous situations. The persistence of excessive and unwarranted anxiety and fear may indicate the presence of an anxiety disorder. According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), there are different types of anxiety disorders including generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), social phobia, and panic disorder. Anxiety attacks, the unexpected onset of severe anxiety symptoms, may be associated with certain anxiety disorders. Anxiety disorders and phobias can manifest themselves as physical and psychological symptoms. A phobia is the disproportionate fear a specific thing or situation.

  1. Physical Symptoms

    • Anxiety and fear can cause symptoms that affect different parts of the body. Headaches, chronic pain and muscle tension, stomach problems such as nausea and diarrhea, exhaustion, and restlessness may all be physical symptoms of an anxiety disorder. Anxiety and phobias may also produce such physical symptoms as a feeling of choking or smothering, heart palpitations, shaking, sweating, hot flashes, and feeling faint, dizzy or numb. Not everyone experiences anxiety in the same way (Reference 2).

    Psychological Symptoms

    • Various psychological symptoms are also associated with anxiety disorders and fear. Fear itself is a psychological symptom of anxiety. Those with some form of anxiety disorder may have persistent, irrational fears such as a fear of eminent death or doom, and fear of passing out or otherwise losing control of themselves in public. Anxiety and fear may also cause irritability, an inability to concentrate or relax, excessive worrying, nervousness, and heightened self-consciousness. Depression frequently coexists with anxiety (Reference 2).

    Panic Attacks

    • Panic attacks, which may also be referred to anxiety attacks, are mainly associated with panic disorder, a type of anxiety disorder. A panic attack is the sudden onset of physical and psychological anxiety symptoms. Panic attacks may last for "5 to 30 minutes" (Reference 4). Repeated, untreated panic attacks may lead to the development of phobias. Physical symptoms of a panic attack may include shortness of breath, chest pain, increased heart rate, sweating, nausea, and dizziness. Those experiencing a panic attack may think that they are suffocating, having a heart attack, or dying. A panic attack may cause of feeling of disassociation that makes a person feel like he or she is going insane.

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