Anxiety: Check Your Symptoms and Signs With the Symptom Checker by MedicineNet.com

Anxiety Symptoms

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Medical Author: William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR

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Anxiety is a feeling of apprehension and fear characterized by physical symptoms such as palpitations, sweating, irritability, and feelings of stress. Anxiety disorders are serious medical illnesses that affect approximately 19 million American adults. In fact, anxiety disorders as a group are the most common mental illness in America. Children and adolescents can also develop anxiety disorders.

These disorders fill people's lives with overwhelming anxiety and fear. Unlike the relatively mild, brief anxiety caused by a stressful event such as a business presentation or a first date, anxiety disorders are chronic, relentless, and can grow progressively worse if not treated. People who suffer from anxiety disorders typically struggle with difficult symptoms such as agitation, feeling "uptight," worry, and apprehension on a daily basis. These disturbing symptoms can become so severe that they interfere with normal daily activities.

Health concern on your mind? Visit the Symptom Checker.

REFERENCE:

Fauci, Anthony S., et al. Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine. 17th ed. United States: McGraw-Hill Professional, 2008.

Main Article on Anxiety

Anxiety Anxiety is a feeling of apprehension and fear characterized by physical symptoms. Anxiety disorders are serious medical illnesses...learn more »
Terms related to Anxiety:
- Agitation
- Apprehension
- Fear Syndrome
- Feeling Uptight
- Irritability
- Stress
- Worry

Causes of Anxiety

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