When symptoms persist in some way or another, the brain becomes tired. In that fatigue, we feel the negative sensation of anxiety. Naming what you feel is the first step — when a symptom has a name, it loses some of its power to frighten you.
We constantly worry and a strange fear prevents us from being at ease. Various sensations continue in the body and a feeling of weakness sets in.
Sitting or standing, darkness spreads before our eyes — sometimes dizziness occurs. Tension tightens the face, sometimes there's a blur in the eyes. Sometimes it feels like something is stuck in the throat.
Chest tightness, pain, or discomfort make us doubt: "Is it a heart attack? Or a big disease?" Doubts grow — "Has blood pressure gone awry? Am I about to have paralysis? Is this a sign of impending death?"
Some associate these symptoms with magic spells or childhood beliefs. We can't understand what to do. Whom to tell? Where to find a solution? This confusion and excessive worry trouble us.
We do our daily work, but our attention remains stuck in anxiety — unable to remove it even for a moment. This constant focus makes it worse, leaving us fearful, anxious, and jittery.
We experience anxiety in three distinct ways: physical, mental, and emotional. Here's what each one looks like.
Not everyone experiences all symptoms — most people have only a few. These symptoms feel very real and scary, but they are part of how anxiety affects the body. They are not signs of permanent damage.
In anxiety, mental symptoms can appear even when no physical or emotional symptoms are present.
Even while doing nothing or thinking of nothing in particular, emotional symptoms can arise.
It's not necessary that you experience all the symptoms listed here during an anxiety or panic attack. However, you have likely encountered at least some of them, or perhaps you're going through them now. It's always wise to consult a doctor to rule out medical issues before concluding it's anxiety.
💬 Emotional Symptoms: You may feel a sudden rush of fear, even while doing nothing or thinking of nothing in particular.
💖 Physical Symptoms: Tightness in the chest or a racing heart might appear unexpectedly, without any clear cause or thought triggering it.
🧠 Mental Symptoms: Thoughts flood your mind, even when no physical or emotional symptoms are present.
These sensations can occur anywhere — from crowded markets to quiet moments at home, from flights to appointments with a dentist or hairdresser. They can arise even when you're doing nothing in particular, leaving you puzzled and concerned about your health.
These physical, emotional, and mental symptoms often arise due to a variety of reasons. A passing thought, a scary video, or even an argument with someone could be the trigger. In some cases, symptoms can start without any reason at all. This unpredictability can make anxiety feel confusing and uncontrollable.
Like a heart attack, cancer, or high blood pressure. If you're genuinely worried about a health issue, it's important to get a medical checkup for peace of mind. If the results are fine, you can rest assured that this is just anxiety, and it's something you can overcome.
The next section explains the panic cycle. When you see the pattern, it loses its grip.