Anxiety is one of the most common mental health experiences — and one of the most physical. It’s far more than “worrying too much.” Recognising the full range of symptoms helps you understand what’s happening and when to seek support.
Physical symptoms
Anxiety activates the body’s stress response, which is why it can feel so physical:
- Racing heart or palpitations
- Shortness of breath or a tight chest
- Sweating, trembling or shaking
- Nausea, stomach upset or “butterflies”
- Muscle tension, headaches and fatigue
- Dizziness or feeling lightheaded
These symptoms are real and can be frightening — many people first seek help fearing a heart problem.
Emotional and cognitive symptoms
- Persistent, excessive worry that’s hard to switch off
- A sense of dread or that something bad will happen
- Racing thoughts and difficulty concentrating
- Irritability and feeling on edge
- Anticipating the worst-case scenario
Behavioural symptoms
- Avoiding situations that trigger anxiety
- Seeking constant reassurance
- Restlessness or difficulty relaxing
- Procrastination driven by fear
- Sleep problems
Everyday worry vs an anxiety disorder
Anxiety becomes a disorder when it’s persistent, out of proportion to the situation, hard to control, and interferes with your daily life. There are several types — including generalised anxiety disorder, social anxiety, panic disorder and health anxiety — and they respond well to treatment.
Getting help
If anxiety is affecting your life, effective help is available. Start with our free, confidential anxiety self-check, learn about anxiety medication options, or read about our anxiety care. A GP or, for more complex cases, a psychiatrist can help — book an appointment with a referral.
This article is general information, not medical advice. In a crisis, call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or 000.