Everyone experiences fear and worry from time to time. Job interviews, stressful life changes, and difficult decisions can make anyone feel nervous, even on the best of days. These occasional anxious feelings are a normal (and often healthy) part of the human experience.
However, anxiety may become a concern when it lasts beyond a stressful situation, makes it hard to complete your day-to-day tasks, or feels out of control and overwhelming.
Learning to identify common anxiety symptoms can help you better understand when professional support might be indicated. This page explores:
When anxiety may be a cause for concern
Signs that may indicate that your level of anxiety is extending beyond typical stress may include avoiding social connections and meaningful activities. You might also call in sick frequently or find sleep and tasks like grocery shopping a challenge.
Physical symptoms can be an indicator, too. Panic attacks, chest pains that mimic heart problems, or feeling like you’re “losing your mind” can be very difficult to endure.
Similarly, if your anxiety symptoms occur for weeks or months without relief – or get progressively worse despite your best efforts – this might signal the presence of an anxiety disorder. Fortunately, these disorders are treatable mental health conditions.
Anxiety disorders involve several unique conditions, each with its own unique symptoms and triggers. While all anxiety disorders involve excessive worry and fear, knowing the differences between them can help you recognize patterns that reflect your own experiences and seek out the appropriate treatment.
The following sections explore the different types of anxiety disorders and their symptoms.
When it comes to the emotional symptoms of anxiety, many adults find themselves caught in cycles of “what if” thinking, imagining worst-case scenarios, and feeling as if something awful is about to happen. Therefore, racing thoughts and memory issues can be common, with many people describing feeling on edge, irritable, and emotionally overwhelmed.
Physical symptoms that last long after a stressful situation is over – such as chronic muscle tension and sleep disturbances – might also indicate that an underlying anxiety disorder is present.
Additionally, chronic stress can overwhelm your coping strategies, making you more susceptible to developing persistent anxiety as an adult.8 Unresolved trauma can also surface during periods of vulnerability.
Recognizing these potential triggers can help you better understand why anxiety might emerge during certain periods in your life and motivate you to seek the appropriate treatment.
We discuss some of these treatment options next.
The good news is that anxiety disorders are highly treatable – you don’t have to live with overwhelming worry and fear.
With the right support and evidence-based treatment approaches, many people with anxiety disorders experience major improvements in their symptoms and overall quality of life. Professional therapy provides you with the skills and strategies needed to take control over anxious thoughts and feelings, helping you return to the activities and relationships anxiety has disrupted.
Some evidence-based therapies for anxiety in adults include:
Quality anxiety treatment for adults is available across multiple points of engagement, allowing you to receive the appropriate support based on your needs.
Outpatient programs work well for adults with mild to moderate anxiety, including intensive outpatient programs (IOP) and partial hospitalization programs (PHP). Both of these approaches allow you to return home around treatment attendance.
Crisis stabilization services can provide immediate, short-term intervention during acute anxiety episodes or ongoing panic attacks that feel overwhelming or dangerous.
Residential or inpatient treatment for anxiety disorders can help those whose symptoms are severe enough to interfere with daily living or pose a severe safety threat. Offering round-the-clock supervision and support, inpatient for anxiety symptoms helps your treatment team to observe your anxiety symptoms over a longer period of time and co-create your treatment plan for holistic healing. This approach allows you to build coping skills in a safe and controlled environment.
No matter which level of care you need, the goal remains the same: helping you develop effective anxiety management strategies and getting you back to living your best life. Many people benefit from starting at a higher level of care and stepping down to less intensive services as their symptoms improve.
Further, aftercare planning can also ensure you receive ongoing support via counseling, support groups, and any medication management you may need, helping to maintain your progress and prevent symptom relapse.
Anxiety doesn’t have to control your life. At A Mission For Michael, our treatment centers offer a place where you can focus on your healing. You’ll work alongside a dedicated clinical team that combines evidence-based care with unique experiential activities.
Your experiences are inherently unique, which is why we build each treatment plan around your specific struggles, strengths, and goals. If you or a loved one is struggling, reach out to AMFM today and let us help you build a bridge towards a better tomorrow.
What to Expect
Insurance Verification
Our team will verify if your insurance provider is in-network with an AMFM Healthcare Facility.
Contact From Admission Representative:
Expect a call within an hour from an admissions representative to discuss treatment options.
While the aim of this page was to help you better understand common anxiety symptoms in adults and when they may indicate an anxiety disorder, it’s normal to still have some pressing concerns or questions. For this reason, we’ve provided responses to some FAQs about anxiety.
Yes, anxiety symptoms can fluctuate in intensity. You might wake up feeling calm and experience a surge of dread in the afternoon, feeling better in the evening. These variations can be caused by specific situations or be linked to your environment. Tracking these patterns can help you identify your triggers and hone in on your treatment needs.
The duration of anxiety symptoms for adults can vary. For example, a panic attack typically peaks within ten minutes and goes away within a half-hour, although the exhaustion can linger for much longer. Generalized anxiety symptoms might last throughout the day or even for months on end without the proper treatment. Thankfully, the right treatment can also help you better understand your symptoms and improve your quality of life.
Everyone experiences worry, but when anxiety lasts beyond a stressful event, interferes with work or relationships, or causes persistent physical symptoms (like muscle tension or chest pain), it may indicate a deeper issue that warrants professional support.
Common physical symptoms include a racing or pounding heart, sweating, trembling or shaking, shortness of breath, dizziness, digestive issues, or fatigue. These arise because anxiety activates the body’s innate stress response.
Emotional/cognitive symptoms often include persistent “what if” thinking, excessive worrying, feeling restless or on edge, irritability, concentration problems, and avoidance of situations that trigger anxiety.
If your anxiety symptoms are persistent (lasting weeks or months), worsen over time, interfere with daily activities or relationships, or coincide with physical symptoms you’re unsure about, it’s wise to speak with a qualified professional about your options.
Yes. Early recognition and intervention often lead to faster relief, less disruption to daily life, and a stronger chance of returning to meaningful activities. A facility like AMFM can help you assess symptom patterns, choose the right level of care, and establish skills for long‑term management.
