How to Recognize the Symptoms of Anxiety - 3 Main Causes

Before we enter into recognizing the physical symptoms for anxiety, we should have a look at the 3 main causes that scientists have pinpointed.

The first, of course, is brain chemistry. Our old friends, serotonin and dopamine suddenly decide to cause trouble by becoming out of balance, thus causing problems between the right and left hemispheres of the brain. A lot of work is being carried out now with Positron Emission Tomography so that what the doctors think is happening, actually is doing so.

Genetics and Heredity can play their part. There's fairly solid evidence that anxiety and certain other mental problems can run in families, most especially if a child is raised in an environment of anxiety and fear. Then it becomes a condition that's learned.

The third cause is simply through life's experiences. If a person's subjected to violence and abuse, it certainly isn't to far of a stretch to predict that they may very well suffer an anxiety condition down the road. Poverty, too, will play its part. A situation where financial deprivation continuously casts its shadow over people is likely to induce anxiety in the strongest of us.

There are about ten symptoms to watch out for, but the American Psychiatric Association's standard is that at least four of these must be present and must occur suddenly and with some intensity. Trembling or shaking can be associated with a number of things, including stress, anger or anxiety, but if it remains permanent it should be checked at once, as it could be a sign of something even more serious.

Palpitations. Normally, we aren't aware of our heartbeats, but if it starts to pound hard, then fear, strong emotions or anxiety could be the reason, as well as certain antidepressant medications.

Sweating can be caused by stress or anxiety as these conditions trigger a hormone in the brain that cause us to perspire.

Anxiety can lead to shortness of breath and a general difficulty breathing.

If you find it difficult to swallow for no good reason. A feeling that a piece of food is stuck in your throat, this can be a token of anxiety.

Abdominal pain, again for no good reason. This is often associated with stress or anxiety.

Sharp pains in the chest. This, of course, is what sends people rushing to emergency rooms, thinking they're suffering heart attacks. It's a sudden heavy feeling and can be quite startling.

Nausea or vomiting. For me, this was a sure sign. It may be caused by various factors, but anxiety is most certainly one. Oddly enough, I don't think I was ever actually sick. I just felt like it.

Hot and cold flashes. These are feelings in the upper body that wash over you like alternate waves.

Dizziness and difficulty in maintaining your balance, even when seated. This is a most peculiar feeling, because you feel as though you're going to fall out of the chair.

Lastly, there's the fear of losing control and quite literally rushing around screaming. This is a really nasty one, especially the first time, because you're convinced you're definitely going over the edge.

Those, then, are the physical symptoms for anxiety, and we've had a look at the three main causes. The problem with the causes is that there may be no cause at all! That's what the doctors and scientists are trying to discover.