Why Do I Feel Anxious?

Do you experience excessive anxiety and worry during most of your days about a number of events (e.g., work or school performance)?

Do you find it difficult to control the worry?

Do you experience restlessness or feeling keyed up for most days?

Are you easily fatigued?

Do you have difficulty concentrating?

Do you experience irritability for most days?

Do you experience muscle tension for most days?

Do you experience sleep disturbance for most days?

Do the anxiety, worry or physical symptoms cause clinically significant distress or impairment in important areas of functioning (e.g., social, occupational)?

While it is unlikely that you have a significant problem with anxiety, you are displaying some signs related to it. Anxiety can be an effect of a substance (drug or medication), a medical condition (e.g., hyperthyroidism) or can be related to a mental disorder (e.g., anxiety disorder, panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder). Anxiety is a natural response to stress: the first day at your new job, a date, or giving a speech in public are examples of situations that make most people nervous. But if feelings of anxiety are very intense, persist for at least six months, and impair normal functioning, it may be a sign of anxiety disorder.

You may not meet the diagnostic criteria for anxiety disorder, but you are displaying several signs related to it. Anxiety can be experienced differently per person. Sometimes anxiety is felt like butterflies in the stomach, sometimes it is felt like your heart is pounding out of your chest. Anxiety can be caused by nightmares, painful memories, and panic attacks. When your feelings of anxiety make it difficult for you to get normal daily tasks done and if it persists over at least six months, it may be recommended to visit your doctor.

Unfortunately, you are displaying symptoms typically seen among individuals who have generalized anxiety disorder. Seeking medical attention is very important. It is normal to feel anxious about normal things that are happening to you, such as taking a test or moving to a new city. Normal anxiety happens to all of us and does not interfere with daily activities. When someone is diagnosed with an anxiety disorder, the person may feel anxious all the time. Treatment for this disorder usually includes lifestyle changes, psychotherapy and sometimes medications. Psychotherapy can help you to learn better coping strategies to deal with anxiety.