About a third of U.S. adults and adolescents experience an anxiety disorder at some point in their lives, making it the most common mental health concern in the country. However, anxiety can manifest itself in many ways, depending on age, gender, coexisting conditions, underlying causes, and the type of anxiety, among other factors.
Because anxiety presents so differently from person to person, it can sometimes feel isolating, especially if your experience doesn’t match the common descriptions you see or hear. You might wonder whether what you’re feeling even ‘counts’ as anxiety or why others seem to struggle in different ways than you do. But you are not alone. No matter how anxiety shows up for you, your experiences are valid, and you deserve support.
This article explores what anxiety may feel like for different groups of people, highlighting emotional and physical symptoms that commonly occur. However, this is not an exhaustive list - anxiety is deeply personal, and its effects can vary widely.
Key takeaways
- Anxiety is the most common mental health condition in the U.S., but it can look and feel different for everyone.
- Emotional and physical symptoms of anxiety may range from excessive worry to restlessness, racing thoughts, or bodily discomfort.
- Factors like age, gender, and neurodivergence can influence how anxiety presents.
- Understanding diverse experiences of anxiety can help build awareness and compassion for yourself and others and ensure you get the right support.
What does anxiety feel like emotionally?
Anxiety affects thoughts, emotions, and reactions, often leading to overwhelming feelings that can interfere with daily life. While experiences differ, some emotional patterns are common including:
- Excessive worry, even about minor things
- Racing thoughts
- Difficulty concentrating or making decisions
- Feeling on edge, restless, or grouchy
- A sense of impending doom
- Fear of losing control
- Feeling disconnected from yourself or reality
- The urge to avoid things that trigger anxiety
- Trouble sleeping
What does anxiety feel like physically?
Anxiety doesn’t just exist in the mind - it has real, tangible effects on the body. These physical symptoms can sometimes mimic other health conditions, making anxiety sometimes difficult to identify.
Physical symptoms of anxiety include:
- Rapid heartbeat, palpitations, or chest tightness
- Shortness of breath
- Feeling lightheaded
- Muscle tension, trembling, or restlessness
- Stomach issues, nausea, or digestive problems
- Sweating, hot flashes, or chills
- Extreme tiredness
- Weakness
- A lump in the throat
- Headaches
- Frequent urination
Types of anxiety
Anxiety isn't a one-size-fits-all condition. There are different types, each with its own set of challenges. The type of anxiety a person has can shape their most prominent symptoms, influencing how they feel emotionally, physically, and in different situations. While many anxiety disorders share common traits like excessive worry, the triggers and manifestations vary.
Below are some of the most common types of anxiety disorders and how they tend to present:
- Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD): Persistent and excessive worry about everyday situations, even when there’s little or no apparent reason for concern. Often accompanied by restlessness, difficulty concentrating, and physical symptoms like muscle tension.
- Panic disorder: Sudden, intense episodes of fear (panic attacks) with physical symptoms such as a racing heart, dizziness, and breathlessness, along with fear of future attacks.
- Social anxiety disorder: Deep fear of social situations where one might be judged, embarrassed, or humiliated, often leading to avoidance of gatherings, public speaking, or unfamiliar interactions.
- Agoraphobia: Fear of being in situations where escape might be difficult or help may not be available, leading to avoidance of crowded places, public transport, or even leaving home.
- Separation anxiety disorder: Intense worry about being apart from loved ones, often leading to distress when separated, fear of harm coming to them, or refusal to be alone.
- Specific phobias: Extreme, irrational fear of particular objects or situations (e.g., heights, spiders, flying) that triggers avoidance and significant distress.
- Selective mutism: Inability to speak in certain social situations, despite being able to speak comfortably in others, most commonly affecting children.
Anxiety in men
It’s estimated that 14% of men in the U.S. have anxiety. While there are common factors that contribute to anxiety, some which are known to impact men include:
- Genes
- Stressful or traumatic experiences
- Chronic health problems
- Lifestyle factors
- Poor body image
- Relationship problems
Further, there is emerging evidence that there are distinct symptoms associated with male-type anxiety and that chronic recurrence of these symptoms is likely. These symptoms include:
- Body pains
- Panic attacks
- Headaches
- Out of control anxious sensations
Anxiety in women
Women are nearly twice as likely as men to experience an anxiety disorder and also more likely than men to experience more than one anxiety disorder at once, or both anxiety and depression at the same time. While there are many causes for anxiety, common causes specifically in women include:
- Hormones
- Puberty
- Periods
- Pregnancy and childbirth
- Menopause
- Societal expectations and demands of modern life
- Excessive stress
- Childhood abuse or neglect
- A family history of mental illness
Anxiety symptoms in women can be much the same as in other groups and include:
- Excessive worry
- Impatience
- Irritability
- Social withdrawal
- Panic attacks
- Sleep and appetite changes
- Nausea
- Headaches
- Abdominal discomfort
- Increased heart rate
Women are also more likely to experience social disruption, teariness, and interpersonal distress.
The main difference in anxiety symptoms based on gender, is that women are more likely to experience them more frequently and during specific life stages.
Anxiety in young children
Anxiety in children often presents as behavioral or physical symptoms rather than verbal expressions of worry. They may struggle to articulate their feelings, leading to avoidance or meltdowns.
Symptoms of anxiety in young children can include:
- Frequent stomach aches or headaches with no clear cause
- Clinginess, separation anxiety, or refusal to go to school
- Sudden tantrums or emotional outbursts triggered by small stressors
- Difficulty sleeping or frequent nightmares
- Trouble concentrating
- Persistent crying
- Fidgeting
- Changes to appetite
Anxiety in teenagers
Adolescence brings unique stressors, from academic pressure to social media and identity development, with at least half of mental health issues beginning by age 14. Anxiety may manifest as emotional distress, avoidance, changes to behavior or physical complaints:
- Fear of failure or perfectionism in school and extracurriculars
- Social anxiety, including fear of embarrassment or rejection
- Avoidance of stressful or new situations, such as public speaking or group activities
- Increased irritability, withdrawal, or mood swings
- Intense self-consciousness
- Sensitivity to criticism
- Physical symptoms like fatigue, stomach pain, or headaches
- Reassurance seeking
- A drop in grades or refusal to go to school
- Substance use
Anxiety and ADHD
Anxiety and ADHD often coexist, with around 50% of adults with ADHD also diagnosed with an anxiety disorder. As a result, symptoms often overlap, making diagnosis challenging. Individuals with both may struggle with focus, impulsivity, and emotional regulation.
Symptoms can include:
- Sleep issues
- Restlessness and fidgeting
- Chronic worry about forgetting tasks or making mistakes
- Difficulty concentrating
- Racing thoughts
- Irritability
- Intrusive thoughts
- Gastrointestinal issues
- Fatigue
- Muscle tension
Anxiety and autism
94% of autistic adults report experiencing anxiety, with nearly 60% saying it affects their ability to get on with life and 47% falling into the ‘severe’ anxiety category. However, autistic individuals often experience anxiety differently, with four key areas identified that may especially relate to anxiety for autistic people:
- Difficulty recognizing emotions of self and others: They may struggle to identify their own emotions and understand the emotions of others, making it harder to process feelings of fear or safety and increasing anxiety in social situations.
- Sensory sensitivities: Heightened sensitivity to sounds, touch, and other sensory inputs can lead to feelings of being overwhelmed, contributing to persistent anxiety.
- Difficulty with uncertainty: Unpredictability and change can be particularly distressing for autistic people, especially when combined with sensory sensitivities or challenges in reading social cues.
- Performance anxiety: Fear of failure or not meeting expectations can create intense worry, leading to avoidance of new tasks or situations where success isn’t guaranteed.
As a result, when autistic adults are adolescents feel anxious, they may be more likely to:
- Become increasingly repetitive in their behaviors and actions
- Spend time on their interests and hobbies
- Become insistent on routines
Anxiety and chronic pain
Anxiety and chronic pain often co-occur, and this can lead to a vicious cycle for those affected as chronic pain can lead to anxiety, but anxiety can also exacerbate physical pain symptoms.
Chronic conditions that are common in people with anxiety disorders include:
- Arthritis
- Fibromyalgia
- Migraine
- Back pain
Those with chronic pain and anxiety disorder may have:
- A lower tolerance for pain
- More fearful of pain, including how bad it will get, how long it will last, and how it will impact their lives
- More fearful of medication side effects
In summary, anxiety is a complex and varied experience, shaped by individual differences, life circumstances, and even the type of anxiety a person has. While the way it manifests may differ, whether emotionally, physically, or within specific groups, one thing remains constant: anxiety is real, valid, and something many people face.
Visit our blog to learn more about anxiety and other common challenges.
References
Any Anxiety Disorder - National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
Anxiety disorders - Symptoms and causes - Mayo Clinic
Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) | Johns Hopkins Medicine
Men’s anxiety, why it matters, and what is needed to limit its risk for male suicide - PMC
Anxiety symptoms in women - Priory
Anxiety disorders in children - NHS
Teens and College Students | Anxiety and Depression Association of America, ADAA
ADHD vs Anxiety - Neurodivergent Insights
Good practice guide For professionals delivering talking therapies for autistic adults and children
Chronic Pain | Anxiety and Depression Association of America, ADAA