What are the common symptoms of anxiety (physical, mental, and behavioral)? / What are the signs you have anxiety? / What are the different types of anxiety disorders?

Let’s get real about what you're dealing with. You're asking about the common symptoms of anxiety, and that is your first step to taking back control. It's time to stop guessing and start seeing the truth of what your body and mind are telling you. The signs of anxiety aren't just in your head; they are a real-time alarm system that's misfiring.

Think of it like this: your system is shouting at you from three different fronts.

The physical symptoms of anxiety are undeniable. This is your body's alarm going off. A racing heart, a tightness in your chest, shortness of breath. You might experience muscle tension, persistent fatigue, or an upset stomach. These are the classic physical symptoms of anxiety that show your fight-or-flight response is on high alert.

Then you have the mental symptoms of anxiety. This is the constant stream of intrusive, racing thoughts. It's the "what if" scenarios playing on repeat. It’s the inability to focus or a pervasive sense of dread. These mental symptoms of anxiety can be just as debilitating as the physical ones. When you can't silence the noise, those are clear signs of anxiety.

Finally, there are the behavioral symptoms of anxiety. This is what you do in response to the internal chaos. You might start avoiding social situations, procrastinating on tasks, or becoming restless and irritable. These behavioral symptoms of anxiety are your attempts to regain control, but they often just feed the cycle. The 5 signs you have anxiety are often a mix of these: a racing heart (physical), constant worry (mental), avoidance of triggers (behavioral), irritability (mental/behavioral), and difficulty sleeping (physical). Recognize these signs of anxiety for what they are.

Now, these aren't random. When these anxiety symptoms group together, they form specific anxiety disorders.

 For example, constant, uncontrollable worry about everything is often a sign of Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD).

A sudden, intense fear of a non-threatening situation might point toward Panic Disorder.

And an intense fear of social judgment could be a symptom of Social Anxiety Disorder.

You will notice that there are many different types of anxiety, and seeing them clearly is your first step. Understanding this isn't about giving you a label; it's about giving you the clarity to fight back.

These anxiety disorders and their distinct anxiety symptoms are a challenge you can and will face, now that you know what you’re up against.