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Symptoms of Anxiety
People who experience anxiety often can't seem to shake their concerns and worries about everyday events, even though they may know that their anxiety is out of proportion to the triggering situation. Anxiety can make a person go through the entire day with exaggerated fear and tension. At night, it can wake someone from sleep or make falling asleep extremely difficult. |
Approximately 18% of American adults have anxiety disorders. |
Anxiety can put someone on edge, making it feel as if disaster is always just around the corner. This can make life feel overwhelming and even unbearable. Moderate to severe levels of anxiety can put a significant strain on our personal and professional relationships, not to mention how it makes us feel about ourselves.
Anxiety produces more than just psychological symptoms. People who suffer from anxiety typically experience a host of physical symptoms, ranging from heart palpitations, to fatigue, to muscle aches. These symptoms may be especially intense for people who experience panic attacks, or sudden and acute episodes of overwhelming fear and panic.
Please read on to learn more about the symptoms of generalized anxiety and panic attacks.
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Generalized Anxiety Symptoms
Every one of us has experienced anxiety from time to time. We trouble over how to make that next payment, worry about our loved ones, and fear stressing situations.
However, some people experience more intense or generalized anxiety most or all of the time. Menopause, and its accompanying hormonal changes, is one of the transitions in life that can increase a woman's chance of experiencing anxiety.
Generalized anxiety and GAD can often provoke a number of physical and psychological signs and symptoms.
These symptoms often persist consistently throughout the day, though they may be more intense at certain times or in the presence of certain triggers.
The following are some of the common psychological and physical symptoms a menopausal woman may experience: |
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Psychological:
• Feelings of apprehension and dread
• Unrelenting nervousness
• Anticipating the worst
• Tenseness and jumpiness
• Restlessness/ heightened awareness
• Difficulty concentrating
• Irritability
• Inability to relax
• Hypervigilance
• Startling easily
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Physical:
• Increased heart rate
• Stomach or chest discomfort
• Sweating
• Dizziness
• Frequent urination or diarrhea
• Shortness of breath/trouble breathing
• Tremors and twitches
• Muscle tension and aches
• Headaches
• Fatigue
• Insomnia/Sleep Troubles
• Hot Flashes
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Symptoms of Panic Attacks
Anxiety attacks, often called panic attacks, also produce a distinct set of physical and psychological symptoms. The symptoms of panic attack often peak after 10 minutes, though some symptoms can last much longer.
Panic attacks can make a person feel as if they are losing control. A person may feel out of touch with reality or themselves. Additionally, people who suffer from panic attacks commonly experience intense worry or fear about the next attack, the onset of which is usually unpredictable.
Panic attacks are, by nature, extremely distressing events. Some people describe them as violent, because episodes often produce feelings of suffocation, nausea, trembling, and dizziness. Many report that panic attacks can feel like heart attacks, since such episodes can drastically increase blood pressure and cause the heart to race. |
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Anxiety Attack Symptoms
Psychological:
• Overwhelming feelings of panic
• Feel loss of control
• Feelings of detachment from self or reality
• Fear of dying
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Physical:
• Pounding/racing heart/palpitations
• Sweating
• Trembling and shaking
• Trouble breathing/hyperventilation
• Choking/Feelings of suffocation
• Numbness or tingling
• Nausea/stomach cramps
• Weak legs
• Chills or hot flashes
• Dizziness, feel like fainting
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During menopause, it is not uncommon for women to experience these symptoms of anxiety, including panic attacks.
Undoubtedly, anxiety at any intensity can cause a person distress. While most women during menopause do not develop symptoms of anxiety strong enough to require professional care, it is very important to know when to speak with a health care professional. Read on to learn more about when to contact a doctor or psychologist regarding the symptoms of anxiety. |
When to See a Doctor
Anxiety that occurs during the menopausal transition is experienced by many women as mild and, thus, does not typically require medical attention. However, any woman who is concerned about her symptoms of anxiety during menopause should speak with a qualified health care professional.
Women who experience the symptoms of anxiety for an extended period of time-more than six months of generalized anxiety symptoms or repeated full-blown panic attacks-should speak with a psychological health professional. Women for whom symptoms of anxiety impede on daily functioning or interpersonal relationships are also encouraged speak with someone who can help. Fortunately, anxiety disorders can be treated successfully.
Now that the symptoms of anxiety have been explored, the next step is to understand what causes anxiety, both in menopause and throughout the lifecycle. Please read on to learn more about the causes of anxiety.
What are the best ways to cope with anxiety?
Three approaches can be considered for treating anxiety: (1) lifestyle changes, (2) alternative remedies, and (3) drugs and surgery. Most experts recommend that women begin with the least aggressive approach and move to the next level of treatment only if symptoms persist. Click on treatments for anxiety to discover the best route to relief.
Return to home page and learn more about the 34 Menopause Symptoms.
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