Anxiety

Common signs

These descriptions can help you understand and record what you notice. They cannot establish a diagnosis on their own.

• Persistent worry and tension +

  Hard-to-shake worry about everyday things. If it's present most days for weeks and feels difficult to control, it's worth paying attention to.

• Restlessness, trouble relaxing +

  Feeling keyed up and unable to unwind, even during downtime. Notice whether the tension is starting to affect your rest and daily routine.

• Palpitations or chest tightness +

  A racing heart or tight chest when you're tense. If these occur often, or come with chest pain or dizziness, get checked to rule out physical causes first.

• Trouble falling asleep, waking easily +

  A mind that won't switch off at bedtime, or waking repeatedly through the night. If sleep problems persist for weeks and spill into your days, take them seriously.

• Difficulty concentrating +

  Trouble focusing, a wandering mind, noticeably lower efficiency. When this shows up alongside ongoing worry, consider looking at your overall state.