When you think about anxiety, what do you picture? Racing thoughts, panic attacks, or nervousness may come to mind. But some of the possible symptoms of anxiety might surprise you. Those who suffer from generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), for example, may struggle with some lesser-known symptoms.
GAD can show up in subtle and unexpected ways that often make it misunderstood and misdiagnosed. It is a chronic condition that involves experiencing excessive levels of worry that are difficult to control. These worries often relate to everyday matters, such as relationships, work, or health.
Beyond excessive worrying, GAD can impact the body and mind in other ways. Recognizing these less widely known symptoms can help prevent misunderstandings and misdiagnosis, leading to better overall support. Let’s learn more about some of the surprising symptoms of this anxiety disorder.
Physical Aches and Pains
One of the most overlooked and misunderstood symptoms of GAD is the unexplained back pain, headaches, or muscle tension that a person can experience. People with GAD tend to carry their stress physically. This can mean clenching their jaws, tensing their shoulders, or grinding their teeth.
It’s not uncommon for individuals to engage in these behaviors without even realizing it. These physical signs can mimic other health conditions, which can make it easier to miss the diagnosis of anxiety.
Digestive Issues
The brain and gut are closely related and connected. Anxiety can wreak havoc on your digestive system, leading to bloating, diarrhea, nausea, constipation, and stomachaches. People who live with GAD often report feeling sick to their stomach before enduring a stressful event. They may even complain of experiencing a nervous stomach or butterflies when there is no known trigger.
Irritability and Restlessness
Anxiety doesn’t always look like fear. Anxiety can also look like being overwhelmed, having a short temper, or being frustrated. People with GAD may experience feeling on edge, being unable to relax, and becoming emotionally reactive or snapping, even in response to seemingly low-stress situations.
Difficulty Concentrating
An anxious person’s mind is always on the go. They’re constantly trying to multitask—replaying conversations in their head, worrying about their future, or analyzing every little detail of what could go wrong in various situations throughout their day. This mental noise can make it extremely difficult to stay focused, leading to brain fog, forgetfulness, or a constant state of zoning out.
Sleeping Problems
Many people who live with GAD have a hard time falling asleep at night or staying asleep throughout the night. And these sleeping problems can occur even when they’re exhausted. Racing thoughts, anticipatory worries, and physical tension can lead to restless nights, insomnia, and waking up feeling unrested, even after getting a full night of sleep.
Overthinking
Making any decisions—even small ones, such as what to eat, what to wear, or how to respond to someone via text or email—can feel overwhelming. People with GAD tend to overthink and overanalyze every single detail. They often worry about making the wrong choice and are constantly second-guessing themselves. This can lead to avoidance and decision fatigue.
Seeking Reassurance
Anxiety can drive you to constantly seek reassurance or validation from others. While this reassurance and validation may provide relief temporarily, this is a vicious cycle that can fuel those feelings of anxiety.
Perfectionism
Another not-as-common sign of GAD is perfectionism, over-planning, and over-preparing. Behind wanting everything to be “just right” is often a fear of rejection, failure, or loss of control.
Therapy Can Help
The symptoms of GAD aren’t always obvious. If you or someone you know is experiencing these symptoms, it may be beneficial to explore additional support through stress and anxiety therapy. Reach out today to learn more about working with a mental health professional for anxiety.
