How Do I Know If I Have Anxiety? Common Signs and Symptoms of Anxiety Comments Off on How Do I Know If I Have Anxiety? Common Signs and Symptoms of Anxiety

Almost everyone experiences anxiety from time to time.

Feeling nervous before an interview, worrying about a loved one, or feeling stressed during a difficult period in life is completely normal.

But sometimes anxiety begins to take up more space in our lives than we would like. It can become persistent, exhausting, and difficult to switch off.

Many people wonder:

“Is this normal stress, or could it be anxiety?”

If you’re asking yourself that question, you’re certainly not alone.

What Does Anxiety Feel Like?

Anxiety can look different from one person to another, but at its core it often feels as though your brain and body are preparing for danger—even when no immediate threat is present.

People commonly describe anxiety as:

• Constant worry
• Feeling on edge
• Difficulty relaxing
• Racing thoughts
• A sense that something bad might happen
• Feeling overwhelmed by everyday situations

For some people, these feelings come and go.

For others, they can become a daily struggle.

Common Emotional Signs of Anxiety

People experiencing anxiety often notice:

• Excessive worrying
• Irritability
• Difficulty concentrating
• Feeling overwhelmed
• Fear of making mistakes
• Constant self-doubt
• Overthinking conversations or decisions

Many people with anxiety describe feeling mentally exhausted because their minds rarely seem to stop.

Common Physical Symptoms of Anxiety

Anxiety is not just a mental experience.

It often shows up in the body too.

Common physical symptoms include:

• Racing heart
• Muscle tension
• Restlessness
• Shallow breathing
• Sweating
• Dizziness
• Stomach problems
• Trouble sleeping
• Feeling physically “keyed up”

These symptoms can sometimes become frightening, leading people to worry that something is seriously wrong physically.

Common Behavioral Signs of Anxiety

One of the most overlooked aspects of anxiety is how it changes what we do.

People experiencing anxiety often:

• Avoid situations that make them uncomfortable
• Seek reassurance from others
• Over-prepare
• Procrastinate
• Constantly check things
• Struggle to make decisions

Unfortunately, these behaviors can sometimes strengthen anxiety rather than reduce it.

The Anxiety Cycle

One of the most useful ways to understand anxiety is to think of it as a cycle.

For example:

• You notice a sensation in your body
• You worry about what it means
• Anxiety increases
• You become more alert to symptoms
• You worry even more

Round and round the cycle goes.

This is similar to the feedback loops and cycles I often see in therapy. Anxiety frequently becomes self-reinforcing when fear, thoughts, emotions, and behaviors begin feeding into one another.

When Should You Consider Therapy for Anxiety?

You do not need to be having panic attacks or be unable to leave the house before seeking help.

Therapy may be helpful if anxiety is:

• Affecting your relationships
• Interfering with work
• Impacting sleep
• Preventing you from doing things you want to do
• Making everyday life feel harder than it needs to be

Many people seek therapy simply because they are tired of feeling constantly worried, tense, or emotionally exhausted.

How Therapy Can Help Anxiety

My approach combines evidence-based methods including:

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
• Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
• Mindfulness-based approaches
• Systems and relationship-focused thinking

CBT helps identify patterns of thinking that contribute to anxiety.

DBT helps people develop skills in:

• Emotion regulation
• Distress tolerance
• Mindfulness
• Interpersonal effectiveness

These skills can help people respond differently to anxiety rather than becoming trapped by it. Your therapeutic approach page already highlights CBT, DBT, mindfulness, and systems thinking as core parts of your work.

Anxiety Often Affects Relationships Too

Many people think anxiety is an individual problem.

In reality, anxiety often affects relationships as well.

Anxiety can contribute to:

• Irritability
• Reassurance-seeking
• Withdrawal
• Conflict
• Difficulty communicating needs

This is one reason I often help clients explore both emotional patterns and relationship patterns together.

You Don’t Have to Keep Living in “Danger Mode”

If anxiety has become a frequent companion in your life, it is worth remembering that anxiety is not a character flaw or a personal weakness.

More often, it is a pattern involving thoughts, emotions, physical sensations, and behaviors that has gradually become self-reinforcing.

The good news is that patterns can change.

With the right understanding and skills, many people find they can reduce anxiety significantly and regain a greater sense of calm, confidence, and control.

Anxiety Therapy in Scottsdale

I work with individuals experiencing:

• General anxiety
• Chronic worry
• Emotional overwhelm
• Stress
• Panic symptoms
• Relationship difficulties linked to anxiety

My approach integrates CBT, DBT, mindfulness, and systems-based thinking to help people understand and change the patterns that keep anxiety going.

Learn More About Individual Therapy

Learn More About Anxiety and Emotion Regulation Therapy

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