Health Topics A-Z

What Are the Symptoms?

The hallmark of generalized anxiety disorder is excessive, out-of-control worrying about everyday things. Symptoms include:

• Heart palpitations
• Sense of impending doom
• Inability to concentrate
• Muscle tension; muscle aches
• Diarrhea
• Chest pain
• Dry mouth
• Excessive sweating
• Eating too little or too much
• Insomnia
• Irritability
• Breathlessness; hyperventilation
• Loss of sex drive

For school-age children, symptoms include:

• Fear of being away from the family
• Refusal to go to school
• Fear of strangers
• Fear of falling asleep or having recurrent nightmares
• Unnecessary worry

Call Your Doctor If:

• Your anxiety seems irrational or more extreme than the situation warrants.
• Your anxiety interferes with your work or your social life.
• Low-level anxiety persists for many weeks.
• Your symptoms suddenly become severe or uncontrollable. You may be experiencing a panic attack.
• Anxiety is accompanied by weight loss and bulging of the eyes; you may have thyroid problems.