Anxiety can affect both your mind and your body. For some people, anxiety feels like constant worry, racing thoughts, or a sense that something bad is about to happen. For others, anxiety may show up through physical symptoms such as a racing heart, muscle tension, stomach problems, dizziness, or difficulty sleeping.
Because anxiety can look and feel different for everyone, it isn’t always easy to recognize. You may find yourself wondering, “Is this anxiety?” or “Why do I feel this way when nothing is actually wrong?”
Understanding the physical and emotional symptoms of anxiety can help you recognize when everyday stress may have become something that deserves additional support.
At Balance Point Wellness, our experienced therapists and psychiatric prescribers work with children, adolescents, and adults experiencing anxiety and other mental health concerns. We offer therapy and medication management, with in-person locations in Hunt Valley, Bel Air, Overlea, Baltimore, and Salisbury, Maryland, as well as virtual care available statewide throughout Maryland and Delaware.
What Does Anxiety Feel Like?
Anxiety is your body’s natural response to stress or a perceived threat. Everyone experiences anxiety from time to time. Feeling nervous before an important event, worrying about a difficult situation, or feeling stressed during a major life change can all be normal.
However, anxiety can become a concern when worry or fear is persistent, excessive, difficult to control, or begins interfering with your everyday life.
Anxiety can cause both emotional and physical symptoms.
Common anxiety symptoms include:
- Excessive or persistent worry
- Racing thoughts
- Feeling restless or on edge
- Feeling overwhelmed
- Irritability
- Difficulty concentrating
- Rapid or pounding heartbeat
- Shortness of breath
- Muscle tension
- Headaches
- Stomach problems
- Sweating or trembling
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
- Fatigue
- Difficulty falling or staying asleep
You may experience several of these symptoms or only a few. Anxiety does not look exactly the same for everyone.
What Does Anxiety Feel Like Physically?
Anxiety can cause very real physical sensations. In fact, some people first notice the physical effects of anxiety before they recognize that worry or stress may be contributing to how they feel.
Physical symptoms of anxiety can include:
Racing or Pounding Heart
You may notice your heart beating faster or harder than usual. This can happen when your body’s stress response is activated.
Shortness of Breath
Anxiety can make you feel like you can’t take a deep enough breath or can’t catch your breath. Changes in breathing can sometimes increase feelings of fear or panic.
Muscle Tension
You may experience tightness in your neck, shoulders, jaw, back, or other muscles. Ongoing anxiety can leave your body feeling tense even when you’re trying to relax.
Stomach Problems
Anxiety can affect your digestive system. Some people experience nausea, stomachaches, diarrhea, changes in appetite, or a feeling of butterflies in their stomach.
Dizziness or Lightheadedness
Feeling dizzy, lightheaded, or unsteady can occur during periods of anxiety or intense stress.
Sweating or Trembling
Your body’s stress response can cause sweating, shaking, trembling, or a feeling of physical restlessness.
Fatigue
Living with ongoing worry can be exhausting. Even when you’re physically tired, racing thoughts may make it difficult to truly relax.
Sleep Problems
Anxiety and sleep problems often go hand in hand. You may have trouble falling asleep because your mind is racing or wake up during the night worrying about the next day.
Emotional Symptoms of Anxiety
Anxiety doesn’t only affect your body. It can also significantly affect your thoughts, emotions, and behavior.
Constant Worry
You may find yourself worrying about work, finances, relationships, health, your children, or everyday responsibilities.
Sometimes the worry continues even when you know there isn’t an immediate problem to solve.
Racing Thoughts
Anxiety can make it feel like your brain never shuts off.
You may replay conversations, think about everything you need to do, anticipate possible problems, or jump from one worry to another.
Feeling Restless or On Edge
Anxiety may create a persistent feeling that something isn’t quite right. You may find it difficult to sit still, relax, or enjoy downtime.
Difficulty Concentrating
When your mind is consumed by worry, concentrating on work, school, conversations, or everyday tasks can become difficult.
Irritability
Anxiety doesn’t always feel like fear. For some people, anxiety shows up as frustration, impatience, anger, or feeling easily overwhelmed.
How Do You Know If You Have Anxiety?
Everyone experiences anxiety occasionally. The difference is often how frequently you experience symptoms, how intense they are, and whether they interfere with your everyday life.
You may want to consider talking with a mental health professional if anxiety:
- Is difficult to control
- Interferes with work or school
- Affects your relationships
- Disrupts your sleep
- Causes you to avoid certain situations
- Makes it difficult to enjoy activities you once enjoyed
- Causes frequent physical symptoms
- Leaves you feeling constantly overwhelmed or on edge
You don’t have to wait until anxiety becomes severe before seeking support.
What Does an Anxiety Attack Feel Like?
People sometimes use the term “anxiety attack” to describe a sudden period of intense anxiety. Symptoms can include:
- Intense fear or worry
- Racing heart
- Sweating
- Shaking
- Shortness of breath
- Chest discomfort
- Dizziness
- Nausea
- Feeling out of control
- Feeling like something terrible is about to happen
A panic attack can be particularly intense and may happen suddenly. Because the physical symptoms can be so strong, some people worry that they are experiencing a medical emergency.
If you experience new, severe, or unexplained physical symptoms, seek appropriate medical evaluation rather than assuming they are caused by anxiety.
Can Anxiety Cause Physical Symptoms?
Yes. Anxiety can cause a wide range of physical symptoms because your body’s stress response affects multiple systems.
When your brain perceives a threat, your body prepares to respond. Your heart rate may increase, your muscles may tense, and your breathing may change.
This is one reason anxiety can sometimes feel like a physical illness.
However, new, severe, or unexplained physical symptoms should not automatically be assumed to be anxiety. If you are experiencing concerning symptoms, talk with your doctor or another qualified healthcare professional.
Can Therapy Help With Anxiety?
Therapy can be an effective treatment for anxiety. Working with a therapist can help you better understand your thoughts, emotions, behaviors, and triggers.
Therapy can also provide practical strategies for managing worry, challenging unhelpful thought patterns, improving coping skills, and navigating stressful situations.
Cognitive behavioral therapy, often called CBT, is one approach commonly used to treat anxiety.
At Balance Point Wellness, our therapists provide individualized care based on your symptoms, goals, and circumstances. Therapy is available for children, adolescents, and adults.
Anxiety Therapy at Balance Point Wellness
If anxiety is affecting your everyday life, you don’t have to manage it alone.
Balance Point Wellness offers therapy for anxiety and other mental health concerns, with convenient in-person and virtual options.
Our in-person locations include:
- Hunt Valley, Maryland
- Bel Air, Maryland
- Overlea, Maryland
- Baltimore, Maryland
- Salisbury, Maryland
For people who prefer the convenience of receiving care from home, virtual services are available statewide throughout Maryland and Delaware.
Telehealth can be a convenient option for people with busy schedules, transportation challenges, or anyone who feels more comfortable meeting with a provider from home.
Medication Management for Anxiety
For some people, medication may be an appropriate part of anxiety treatment.
Medication management involves working with a qualified psychiatric prescriber to evaluate symptoms, discuss treatment options, monitor how medications are working, and make adjustments when appropriate.
Medication isn’t right for everyone, and treatment decisions should be individualized.
At Balance Point Wellness, medication management is available alongside therapy. Depending on your individual needs, therapy, medication management, or a combination of both may be recommended.
Meet Our Team of Therapists and Prescribers
Finding the right mental health provider can make an important difference in your treatment experience.
At Balance Point Wellness, our team includes experienced therapists and psychiatric prescribers who work with children, adolescents, and adults experiencing anxiety, depression, ADHD, and other mental health concerns.
Our providers have different areas of experience, specialties, and therapeutic approaches. This allows us to help connect you with a provider who may be a good fit for your individual needs.
Whether you’re looking for a therapist to help you manage anxiety, a prescriber to discuss medication management, or both, our team is here to help.
Meet our team of therapists and prescribers to learn more about our providers and find the right fit for you.
Mental Health Care Throughout Maryland and Delaware
Balance Point Wellness makes mental health care accessible through both in-person and virtual services.
In-person therapy and mental health services are available in:
Hunt Valley | Bel Air | Overlea | Baltimore | Salisbury
Virtual care is available statewide throughout:
Maryland and Delaware
Services include:
- Individual Therapy
- Medication Management
- Telehealth services
- Couples Therapy
- Family Therapy
- Group Therapy
- Art Therapy
- School-Based Services
Whether you’re experiencing anxiety for the first time or have been struggling with symptoms for years, professional support is available.
When Should You See a Therapist for Anxiety?
You don’t need to have every symptom listed in this article to benefit from professional support.
If anxiety is interfering with your relationships, sleep, work, school, or ability to enjoy everyday life, it may be time to talk with a therapist.
A mental health professional can help you understand what you’re experiencing and determine what type of support may be appropriate.
At Balance Point Wellness, our goal is to provide compassionate, individualized mental health care that meets you where you are.
You don’t have to wait until anxiety becomes overwhelming to ask for help.
Frequently Asked Questions About Anxiety
What does anxiety feel like?
Anxiety can feel like excessive worry, racing thoughts, restlessness, fear, or feeling constantly on edge. It can also cause physical symptoms such as a racing heart, muscle tension, stomach problems, dizziness, sweating, and difficulty sleeping.
What does anxiety feel like physically?
Physical anxiety symptoms can include a racing or pounding heart, tight muscles, shortness of breath, stomach discomfort, dizziness, sweating, trembling, headaches, fatigue, and difficulty sleeping.
What does anxiety feel like in your body?
Anxiety may cause your body to feel tense, shaky, restless, or uncomfortable. You may notice changes in your heart rate, breathing, digestion, muscle tension, or energy levels.
What are the most common symptoms of anxiety?
Common anxiety symptoms include excessive worry, racing thoughts, restlessness, irritability, difficulty concentrating, muscle tension, rapid heartbeat, shortness of breath, stomach problems, dizziness, sweating, fatigue, and sleep difficulties.
What are the first signs of anxiety?
Early signs of anxiety can include increased worry, feeling on edge, difficulty relaxing, racing thoughts, trouble concentrating, irritability, changes in sleep, and physical tension.
Can anxiety cause physical symptoms?
Yes. Anxiety can cause physical symptoms because the body’s stress response can affect heart rate, breathing, muscles, digestion, and other bodily functions.
Can anxiety cause chest pain?
Anxiety and panic can cause chest discomfort or tightness. However, new, severe, or unexplained chest pain should not automatically be attributed to anxiety. Seek medical attention when appropriate.
Can anxiety cause stomach problems?
Yes. Anxiety can affect the digestive system and may contribute to nausea, stomachaches, diarrhea, changes in appetite, or other digestive symptoms.
Can anxiety cause dizziness or shortness of breath?
Yes. Dizziness and changes in breathing can occur during periods of anxiety or panic. However, new or unexplained symptoms should be evaluated by an appropriate healthcare professional.
Can anxiety affect sleep?
Yes. Worry and racing thoughts can make it difficult to fall asleep or stay asleep. Poor sleep can also make anxiety symptoms feel worse.
When should you see a therapist for anxiety?
Consider talking with a therapist when anxiety is persistent, difficult to control, or begins interfering with your relationships, work, school, sleep, or everyday activities.
Can therapy help with anxiety?
Yes. Therapy can help you understand the patterns behind anxiety and develop strategies for managing symptoms. CBT is one commonly used approach for anxiety.
Does Balance Point Wellness offer anxiety therapy?
Yes. Balance Point Wellness offers therapy for anxiety and other mental health concerns. In-person services are available in Hunt Valley, Bel Air, Overlea, Baltimore, and Salisbury, Maryland. Virtual care is available statewide throughout Maryland and Delaware.
Does Balance Point Wellness offer medication management?
Yes. Balance Point Wellness offers medication management as part of its mental health services. Depending on your individual needs, medication management may be provided alongside therapy.
Does Balance Point Wellness offer virtual therapy?
Yes. Virtual mental health services are available statewide throughout Maryland and Delaware, providing an additional option for people who prefer to receive care from home.
Take the First Step
Anxiety can affect your thoughts, emotions, body, relationships, sleep, and everyday life. If you’re struggling with anxiety, you don’t have to manage it alone.
Balance Point Wellness offers therapy and medication management with in-person locations in Hunt Valley, Bel Air, Overlea, Baltimore, and Salisbury, Maryland, as well as virtual care statewide throughout Maryland and Delaware.
Most insurance plans are accepted, and intakes can typically be scheduled within 24 hours.
To make an appointment, call 410-800-2169 or visit bpointwellness.com.
Meet Our Team of Therapists and Prescribers