Understanding generalised anxiety disorder – symptoms

What are the symptoms of anxiety?

The hallmark of generalised anxiety disorder is excessive, out-of-control worrying about everyday things. Symptoms include:

• Persistent fear, sometimes without any obvious cause, that is present every day
• Inability to concentrate
• Muscle tension; muscle aches
• Diarrhoea
• Eating too little or too much
• Insomnia
• Irritability
• Loss of sex drive

For school-age children symptoms include:

• Fear of being away from the family
• Refusal to go to school
• Fear of strangers
• Fear of falling asleep or having recurrent nightmares
• Unnecessary worry

Seek medical advice about anxiety if:

• Your anxiety seems irrational or more extreme than the situation warrants.
• Your anxiety interferes with your work or your social life.
• Low-level anxiety persists for many weeks.
• Your symptoms suddenly become severe or uncontrollable. You may be experiencing a panic attack.
• Anxiety is accompanied by weight loss and bulging of the eyes; you may have thyroid problems.