One of the most confusing parts of anxiety is how many different ways it can show up. You may feel worried or tense—but you may also feel dizzy, nauseated, short of breath, or completely exhausted.

Because anxiety symptoms often feel physical, many people worry something is seriously wrong with their heart, lungs, or brain. It’s common to seek medical care before realizing anxiety is involved.

Understanding the full range of anxiety symptoms can help you recognize what’s happening, reduce fear, and take steps toward appropriate care.

Why Anxiety Causes Physical Symptoms

Anxiety activates your body’s stress response. When your nervous system perceives danger—real or not—it releases stress hormones like adrenaline and cortisol.

These hormones prepare your body to act, which causes real physical changes:

• Faster heart rate

• Shallow or rapid breathing

• Muscle tension

• Increased alertness

• Changes in digestion

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, anxiety disorders involve both emotional and physical symptoms due to heightened nervous system activity.¹

Common Physical Symptoms of Anxiety

Physical symptoms are often the most frightening part of anxiety because they can mimic serious medical conditions.

Heart and Chest Symptoms

• Rapid or pounding heartbeat

• Chest tightness or discomfort

• Sensation of skipped beats

These symptoms are caused by adrenaline—not heart damage—but they often lead people to emergency care before anxiety is recognized.

Breathing Symptoms

• Shortness of breath

• Feeling unable to take a deep breath

• Chest tightness

• Frequent sighing or yawning

Changes in breathing patterns can also cause dizziness or tingling due to shifts in carbon dioxide levels.

Gastrointestinal Symptoms

• Nausea

• Stomach pain

• Bloating

• Diarrhea

• Loss of appetite

The gut and brain are closely connected. Anxiety commonly affects digestion, sometimes leading to conditions like irritable bowel syndrome.

Neurological and Sensory Symptoms

• Dizziness or lightheadedness

• Headaches

• Tingling or numbness in hands or face

• Blurred vision

• Feeling detached or “foggy”

These symptoms are related to muscle tension, blood flow changes, and heightened sensory awareness.

Muscle and Body Symptoms

• Muscle tension or aches

• Jaw clenching

• Trembling or shaking

• Fatigue

Chronic muscle tension can lead to persistent pain and exhaustion over time.

Emotional Symptoms of Anxiety

Anxiety isn’t just fear—it can affect how you think and feel throughout the day.

Common emotional symptoms include:

• Excessive worry

• Feeling on edge or restless

• Irritability

• Difficulty concentrating

• Feeling overwhelmed

• Sense of impending doom

These feelings can come and go or feel constant, depending on the type and severity of anxiety.

Behavioral Symptoms of Anxiety

Anxiety also influences how you behave—often in subtle ways that build over time.

Avoidance

You may start avoiding:

• Social situations

• Travel

• Medical appointments

• Work or school responsibilities

Avoidance provides short-term relief but often strengthens anxiety long term.

Reassurance-Seeking

Constantly checking symptoms, asking others for reassurance, or searching online for answers can temporarily calm anxiety—but usually increases it later.

Changes in Routine

Anxiety can lead to:

• Difficulty sleeping

• Overworking or procrastinating

• Changes in eating habits

• Withdrawing from activities you once enjoyed

These changes can reinforce both anxiety and low mood.

Panic Attacks: When Symptoms Peak Suddenly

Some people experience panic attacks—sudden surges of intense fear that peak within minutes.

Symptoms may include:

• Chest pain

• Shortness of breath

• Dizziness

• Sweating

• Nausea

• Fear of dying or losing control

Panic attacks feel dangerous but are not life-threatening. Understanding their physiology can reduce fear and help prevent escalation.

Anxiety Symptoms vs. Medical Conditions

Anxiety symptoms often overlap with conditions such as:

• Heart disease

• Asthma

• Gastrointestinal disorders

• Neurological conditions

This overlap is why medical evaluation is important—especially when symptoms are new, severe, or changing.

According to the American Psychiatric Association, anxiety disorders are diagnosed after medical causes are ruled out and symptom patterns are evaluated.²

Why Symptoms Can Change Over Time

Anxiety symptoms are not static. They may:

• Shift with stress levels

• Change during life transitions

• Worsen with poor sleep or illness

• Improve with treatment and support

This variability does not mean anxiety is unpredictable—it reflects how responsive the nervous system is to internal and external factors.

When to Seek Medical or Mental Health Care

You should seek medical evaluation if:

• Symptoms are new or severe

• Chest pain or shortness of breath is unexplained

• You faint or lose consciousness

• Symptoms significantly interfere with daily life

Once medical causes are ruled out, mental health evaluation can help guide effective treatment.

What You Can Do Right Now

If you’re experiencing anxiety symptoms:

• Track what you feel and when it occurs

• Notice patterns and triggers

• Avoid excessive symptom checking

• Practice gentle grounding techniques

• Talk with a healthcare provider you trust

Understanding symptoms is not about dismissing them—it’s about responding appropriately.

The Bottom Line

Anxiety symptoms are real, physical, and often frightening—but they are also understandable and treatable. Knowing what anxiety can look like helps reduce fear, shorten the path to care, and restore a sense of control.

You’re not imagining this—and you’re not alone.

References

1. National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). Anxiety Disorders. Updated 2024. https://www.nimh.nih.gov

2. American Psychiatric Association. Anxiety Disorders: Symptoms and Diagnosis. Updated 2023. https://www.psychiatry.org

3. World Health Organization. Mental Health Conditions: Anxiety Disorders. Updated 2023. https://www.who.int

4. The Lancet Psychiatry. Somatic Symptoms and Anxiety Disorders. 2023.