Anxiety is often the result of the fight-or-flight response to danger. Do you feel anxious a lot?
Whilst it’s normal to feel anxious from time to time, it can become a problem if it’s overactive and kicks in despite you being in no real physical danger, as it can disrupt the quality of your life.
Some of the more common signs of anxiety are insomnia, overthinking and hyperventilation, but did you know that there are also some symptoms that often get overlooked? Here are seven anxiety symptoms that can go unnoticed:
Feeling the cold
Do you wear a sweater wherever you go even if the weather is quite warm? When you feel anxious, you may notice that you feel colder than normal. This is because the fight-or-flight response can make circulation difficult. This is especially true with your fingers and toes since those are general areas where circulation is harder to reach.
Stomach problems
Do you often get a stomachache when you’re nervous? Anxiety has a strong link with certain stomach problems, so it’s common to experience an excess amount of gas, bloating, and indigestion when you’re nervous or stressed.
People with specific gastrointestinal conditions like irritable bowel syndrome among others may find that their symptoms flare up with anxiety. Eating healthy and avoiding caffeine may help reduce these problems.
Forgetfulness
Have you ever forgotten where certain things are or lost track of what you’re supposed to be doing? When in a state of constant overthinking and worry, you may find it hard to focus and to keep your thoughts organised. Part of this can be attributed to anxiety itself but also to sleep deprivation because of anxiety symptoms and signs of anxiety.
Unusual aches and pains
Did you know that anxiety can affect your physical and mental well-being? When you’re feeling especially anxious, you may notice that you experience strange and painful sensations that cannot be attributed to any illness or accident. This is usually due to muscle tension because of the fight-or-flight response of your body when you’re anxious.
Excessive sleepiness
How much sleep do you get every night? Having anxiety where you’re in a constant state of alertness and worry can be exhausting. Coupled with the fact that anxiety can make sleeping more difficult, you may find yourself feeling tired all the time with less energy to do things you enjoy and difficulty getting your much-needed rest. This exhaustion may end up affecting other areas of your life too.
Skin conditions
Do you get itchy when you’re stressed? Weird itching, hives and other types of rashes may be linked to anxiety. According to a 2019 enlightened solutions article, this is because of an increase in cortisol and adrenaline that makes your body more prone to developing these conditions. It is important, however, to seek help if a rash gets worse or persists for an extended period, as it may be a sign of something else.
Impulsive behaviour
Have you ever found yourself doing things you wouldn’t normally do? Because anxiety can put your emotions into overdrive, it can cause you to act out in impulsive ways. You might lash out at others or take part in harmful activities that you’d normally stay away from.
Ultimately, anxiety and signs of anxiety can make it difficult for you to think clearly and put you more on edge than normal. Do you know of other signs that often get overlooked? Let us know in the comments below. If you found this article helpful, be sure to share it with those who might benefit from it.
