Anxiety: What Are The Top 5 Symptoms?
Updated January 2026
Do you experience symptoms that might be anxiety—but you’re not sure? Have you asked friends what anxiety looks like and gotten ten different answers? Are your symptoms starting to worry you or interfere with daily life?
You’re not alone. Anxiety symptoms can look very different from person to person, which is why they’re often misunderstood or dismissed—sometimes even by the person experiencing them.
Anxiety can be triggered by many things: work stress, medical concerns, finances, relationships, uncertainty, or major world events. And while occasional anxiety is part of being human, persistent anxiety can begin to take over your thoughts, body, and daily functioning.
Let’s break down the top 5 most common symptoms of anxiety—and what to do if you recognize any of them in yourself.
Types of Anxiety
There are several forms of anxiety, including:
Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) – excessive worry that feels hard to control
Panic Disorder – sudden panic attacks with intense physical symptoms
Social Anxiety – fear of judgment or embarrassment in social situations
Specific Phobias – intense fear of specific objects or situations
Separation Anxiety – distress related to being away from loved ones
While these diagnoses differ, many share overlapping symptoms that affect work, relationships, sleep, and emotional wellbeing.
The Top 5 Anxiety Symptoms
1. Excessive Worry
Anxiety often shows up as persistent, intrusive worry that feels difficult—if not impossible—to shut off.
You may:
Worry about multiple areas of life at once
Feel unable to control anxious thoughts even when they seem irrational
Replay scenarios repeatedly or anticipate worst-case outcomes
When worry lasts most days for six months or more, it may be a sign of an anxiety disorder.
2. Trouble Sleeping or Restlessness
Anxiety and sleep rarely get along.
Common sleep-related anxiety symptoms include:
Difficulty falling asleep because your mind won’t slow down
Waking during the night with racing thoughts
Lying awake replaying conversations or to-do lists
Feeling physically restless or on edge
Poor sleep can worsen anxiety, creating a frustrating cycle that feels hard to break.
3. Difficulty Concentrating
Anxiety can hijack your focus.
You might notice:
Trouble concentrating at work or school
Feeling mentally “foggy” or scattered
Fixating on upcoming appointments or perceived threats
A sense of impending doom that disrupts daily tasks
When your nervous system is on high alert, concentration becomes much harder.
4. Chest Pain and Shortness of Breath
One of the most alarming anxiety symptoms is physical discomfort that mimics serious medical conditions.
You may experience:
Chest tightness or pressure
Shortness of breath
Dizziness or lightheadedness
Fear that you’re having a heart attack
While these symptoms can feel terrifying, they are very common during anxiety and panic episodes. A medical evaluation is always appropriate if symptoms are new—but anxiety is often the cause.
5. Irritability and Muscle Tension
Chronic anxiety keeps the body in a state of tension.
This can lead to:
Irritability or snapping at others
Feeling constantly on edge or hyper-vigilant
Tight shoulders, jaw clenching, or headaches
Difficulty relaxing, even during downtime
When your body never gets a chance to fully relax, emotional exhaustion follows.
What Can Help with Anxiety Symptoms?
If you recognize yourself in these symptoms, you may be wondering what to do next.
Anxiety therapy can help you:
Understand the root causes of your anxiety
Identify triggers and patterns
Learn how to interrupt anxious thought cycles
Calm your nervous system
Regain a sense of control and confidence
For some people, anxiety treatment may include therapy alone. For others, a combination of therapy and medication is most effective. There is no one-size-fits-all solution—and that’s okay.
You Don’t Have to Manage Anxiety Alone
If anxiety symptoms are starting to interfere with your life, relationships, or sleep, reaching out for support can be a powerful first step.
I provide online anxiety therapy for adults in Florida and Maine, focused on practical tools, emotional regulation, and real-life coping strategies.
👉 Schedule a free 30-minute consultation to learn more about how therapy can help you feel steadier, calmer, and more in control.
