Anxiety Symptoms Explained
At the bottom of this page, you will find a list of many articles about each of the most common symptoms of anxiety. To view them, simply click on the link next to them.
Anxiety symptoms are the result of an abnormal increase in the levels
of adrenaline in the blood, which sets off a 'chain reaction' of normal,
but inappropriate, bodily functions. Anxiety symptoms can affect a sufferer
both physically and emotionally but it is important to note that there is
not one anxiety symptom that represents any kind of threat to a sufferer.
Anxiety symptoms are caused by an exaggerated anxiety reaction which is
controlled by the subconscious mind in a small organ called the Amygdala.
This organ alone is responsible for controlling the internal mechanisms
that cause the sufferer to experience high anxiety, panic and all of the
symptoms of anxiety they carry with them. The Amygdala acts rather like
a thermostat, which controls the anxiety level and is responsible for
causing all of the symptoms of anxiety you experience.
Anxiety has three major components that determine the kind of symptoms
experienced:
Firstly, there is a psycho-physiological (physical) component, which produces
anxiety symptoms such as palpitations (racing heart), breathlessness, dizziness
and sweating. This component produces anxiety symptoms which affect us on
a purely psychological level and are mostly as a direct result of adrenalin
release during the 'fight or fight' response.
Secondly, there is a psychological component, characterised by anxiety
symptoms such as irritability, obsessions and lack of concentration and
deep feelings of fear. These anxiety symptoms may be constant or may be
more intense during an anxiety attack (panic attack). Like the physiological
anxiety symptoms, these are harmless but they can make the sufferer feel
helpless and desperate.
Finally, there may be an interpersonal component featuring an inclination
to cling to other people for reassurance. Because anxiety symptoms cause
such a vast range of sensations and thoughts, the sufferer often withdraws
socially in order to protect themselves from potentially anxiety-provoking
situations and stimuli. This can cause agoraphobia, a condition which is
commonly referred to as a 'stand alone' condition as oppose to an anxiety
symptom. Agoraphobia, like all anxiety conditions, disappears as the
anxiety level is reduced during recovery.