Anxiety and worry are often associated with the following symptoms:
Restlessness or feeling keyed up or "on the edge"
Being easily fatigued
Difficulty concentrating
Irritability
Muscle tension -- shakiness, headaches
Sleep disturbance (difficulty falling or staying asleep; or restless, unsatisfying sleep)
Excessive sweating, palpitations, shortness of breath, and various gastrointestinal symptoms
Signs and tests:
A physical examination and a psychological evaluation should be completed in order to rule out other causes of anxiety. Physical disorders that may mimic an anxiety state should be ruled out, as well as drug-induced symptoms. Various diagnostic tests may be done in this process.
References:
Moore DP, Jefferson JW. Handbook of Medical Psychiatry. 2nd ed. St. Louis, Mo: Mosby; 2004: 174-175.
Noble J. Textbook of Primary Care Medicine. 3rd ed. St. Louis, Mo: Mosby; 2001:416.
Review Date: 5/8/2006
Reviewed By: Paul Ballas, D.O., Department of Psychiatry, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. Copyright 2004 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.
