The symptoms of anxiety disorders can often develop gradually over time. Given that we
all experience some anxiety, it can sometimes be hard to know how much is too much.
To be diagnosed with an anxiety disorder, the anxiety must have a disabling impact on the
person’s life.
There are many types of anxiety disorders. While the symptoms for each disorder are
different, some general signs and symptoms include:
- feeling very worried or anxious most of the time
- finding it difficult to calm down
- feeling overwhelmed or frightened by sudden feelings of intense panic/anxiety
- experiencing recurring thoughts that cause anxiety, but may seem silly to others
- avoiding situations or things which cause anxiety (e.g. social events or crowded places)
- experiencing ongoing difficulties (e.g. nightmares/ flashbacks) after a traumatic event.
