How to Identify Symptoms of Anxiety Disorder

Do you suspect your significant other or a loved one might be suffering from an anxiety disorder? Anxiety manifests in many different forms and can be identified as obsessive compulsive or OCD, social phobia, generalized anxiety disorder or GAD, panic disorder or panic attacks. Many sufferers have several different forms of anxiety, not just one. The following article will show you how to identify some symptoms of anxiety disorder.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• scrutiny
• love
• understanding
• knowledge of anxiety symptoms

1. Pay attention to a spouse who is telling you that certain thoughts are controlling their life. This can be a simple thought that one person can overlook and move past, but someone with anxiety cannot let certain thoughts go. The person knows what they are thinking is not right and knows it doesn't make sense, but they cannot stop ruminating over it.

2. Pay attention to someone who repeatedly cleans things, washes their hands too frequently or constantly checks on things. All these rituals can be symptoms of OCD. An example of checking is going back time after time to make sure electrical items are unplugged. Another example of checking is constantly calling to check on someone to make sure they are ok.

3. Pay attention to a spouse that cannot seem to relax, seems irritable often, seems out of touch, has trouble focusing on one task or constantly questions and second-guesses themselves. This person may be unable to make a decision and stick with it.

4. Pay attention to a spouse who seems to follow the same routine day to day, almost down to the detail. Everyone has some sort of routine, but the clue here is whether or not a slight or sudden change in that routine messes that person up mentally. This could be a sign of OCD or obsessive compulsive disorder.

5. Pay attention to a spouse who complains of chest pain, heart palpitations, dizziness, shaking, weakness and disorientation even though medical tests have come back clear. These symptoms may actually be panic attacks which are associated with anxiety. People with anxiety problems will frequent emergency rooms and doctor's offices thinking something terrible is going to happen to them or that they might die.

6. Pay attention to an adult who is socially withdrawing from family and friends. Someone who previously enjoyed the company of others, church and activities and is now withdrawing is a sign of depression which can be linked to anxiety. The two often go hand in hand. The person may be developing social anxiety.

Tips & Warnings

• Someone who suffers from one or more of the above symptoms could be suffering from Generalized Anxiety Disorder or GAD.
• I am not a doctor but I am someone who is dealing with this on a day to day basis. I definitely recognize these symptoms as it applies to my family.

[Susanh]

on 9/4/2008 Well written with compassion.

[ebnickiea]

on 9/4/2008 wonderful article. I myself suffer from anxiety and have alot of these syptoms. thanks

[sweetleo]

on 9/4/2008 A very helpful article to file away and looked on when needed, thank you *****