Millions of Canadians will develop an overwhelming anxiety condition in their lifetime. Over 12 per cent of Canadians will be affected, causing mild to severe impairment. There are many different types of anxiety.

People with anxiety often feel very fearful but they have difficulty identifying the source of their feelings of fear. People commonly experience anxiety as feelings of unease and dread in anticipation of an ambiguous event. Whereas feelings of fear are often in response to a specific threat (e.g., an unpaid bill), the source of feelings of anxiety is often elusive. In addition, the fear response is usually time limited (e.g., it is only experienced in the presence of something feared, like a growling dog), whereas individuals who experience anxiety generally describe the feelings as prolonged and persistent without a clear beginning or end. The source of feelings of anxiety is not only difficult to identify but the threat is not usually in the near future or connected to an identifiable event. In addition, fear is usually experienced in response to an external event (e.g., an exam), whereas anxiety is often in response to an internal cue (e.g., a sense of dread or doom).

Anxiety is a normal part of everyday life that alerts people to possible dangerous events; in this way, anxiety can be helpful. Everyone at some point feels “anxious” but people with anxiety experience anxious feelings that are excessive and often unrealistic. These feelings are disruptive and interfere with family relationships, school and work activities, social interaction, and recreation.

Because people with anxiety generally experience feelings of fear, worry, or anxiety for prolonged periods of time, they may develop rituals to reduce their feelings of anxiety or avoid places and situations that might cause them to feel anxious.

Although there are no symptoms exclusively associated with anxiety, individuals who experience anxiety often report similar symptoms. Talk to your doctor about your symptoms. They may indicate an underlying medical condition, and they may also help your doctor to identify whether you are experiencing an anxiety condition. In addition, people can have an anxiety condition, without experiencing any of the symptoms listed below.

Physical symptoms:

• Light-headedness

• Headache

• Muscle tension

• Dizziness

• Rapid heartbeat

• Chest pain and/or tightness in the chest

• Heart palpitations

• Difficulty breathing (e.g., rapid breath, shortness of breath, difficulty catching breath)

• Dry mouth

• Upset stomach: churning, nausea, diarrhea, gas, pain

• Difficulty swallowing or lump in the throat

• Excessive sweating

• Unsteadiness

• Restlessness

• Frequent urination

• Hot flashes or chills

• Tremors

• Cold and clammy palms

• Tingling or pins and needles

Mental symptoms:

• Sense of detachment or feeling disconnected from the world around you

• Insomnia

• Unable to concentrate or selective attention

• Difficulty remembering things

• Agitation

• Fatigue

• Irritability

• Fearfulness

• Communication difficulties (e.g., cannot think of words)

• Fear of going crazy

• Self-consciousness

References: Rachman, S. (2004) Anxiety (2nd ed). New York: Psychology Press Ltd