Accepting Telehealth appointments. Schedule a virtual visit.

Lesser-Known Symptoms of Anxiety

Lesser-Known Symptoms of Anxiety

Anxiety can range from a feeling of mild alarm or nervousness that is hard to dispel to causing near panic attacks when in stressful situations. Aside from these better-known signs of anxiety, there are plenty of more subtle signs that could point to an issue centered around an anxiety disorder.

As a board-certified psychiatrist, Dr. Ifeanyi Olele of Genesis Psychiatric Solutions can help identify if you have an anxiety disorder, and if so, which type. Then we can help you create a plan for managing your condition so it doesn’t interfere with your life.

Even if you don’t recognize obvious signs of anxiety, you could have subtle symptoms. Once you recognize any of the following as a possible sign of anxiety, you’ll be better prepared to get help, and your doctor will find it easier to identify what type of anxiety disorder you have.

Fatigue

You may think of anxiety as causing a kind of mania or always being fidgety. But internal anxiety can lead to a feeling of exhaustion because the brain runs like a hamster on a wheel, worrying subconsciously about many things. 

Indecisiveness

Are you having a hard time deciding which outfit to buy, what to have for dinner, or whether to put gas in your car now or wait until tomorrow? Being unable to make confident decisions or worrying unduly about the ramifications of simple choices can also be a sign of anxiety rearing its head.

Perfectionism

If everything you do has to be perfect or you simply don’t see the point in doing it at all, you could have anxiety. This can tie into indecisiveness. What if you make the wrong choice? An obsession with being perfect all the time can be a strong sign of internal anxiety.

Avoidance

When making choices and worrying about perfection get to be too much, it’s not surprising that you might turn to avoidance just so you don’t have to stress out. As you can see, a lot of these subtle side effects of anxiety are interconnected.

Physical symptoms

Anxiety triggers the fight-or-flight response. This can cause strong physical symptoms, like stomachaches or freezing cold hands and feet. 

If you routinely feel nauseous, have sharp unexplained pains in your stomach, or feel like your extremities seem to be cold all the time, it might just be anxiety.

If you think you may be experiencing anxiety, schedule a consultation by calling our nearest location or request an appointment online. We have offices in Fairfax and Alexandria, Virginia; Washington, DC; Los Angeles, California; and Boca Raton, Florida.

You Might Also Enjoy...

Here’s How to Get a Second Opinion

Psychiatry can be difficult for many people to get a handle on, and you might be concerned if your doctor’s diagnosis and treatment doesn’t seem to be working. Here’s how to get a second opinion.

4 Telltale Signs that You May Have OCD

OCD symptoms are often attributed to anxiety, which is why you need a proper, expert diagnosis. Here are four signs that you should seek out a specialist who can help you.

What Is the Purpose of Gene Testing?

Many psychiatric conditions seem to have a familial link. While gene testing may not be a completely accurate predictor of mental illness, it may be useful in medication decision-making.

Can Medication Help Manage My OCD?

Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) can be a debilitating condition that leaves you feeling exhausted just from completing simple tasks. Certain types of medication may be able to help.