Many people suffer from the physical and emotional symptoms of anxiety disorders every year. There are different types of anxiety disorders, but most produce the same impact on a person’s quality of life and well-being.

The primary symptoms associated with all anxiety disorders is excessive, even irrational fear or worry about a particular situation, place or thing. However, the following emotional symptoms can also be present, and can occur frequently, or become a part of the person’s personality:

1. Anticipating the worst. People with anxiety disorder are always anticipating the worst. Because of this, a cycle of negative thinking may develop that may lead to depression and other harmful conditions.

2. Always restless and agitated. A person with anxiety disorder always feels uncomfortable generally or in specific situations. A person may even have difficulty relaxing because he or she is already engraved with the habit of having their guards up or extreme attentiveness.

3. Stressed and uptight. People with anxiety disorder might feel they are “jumpy” on a regular basis. According to the United States National Mental Health Information Center at mentalhealth.samhsa.gov, anxiety disorders can cause people to become “trapped in a pattern of repeated thoughts and behaviors such as counting or hand washing” just so they can reduce their feelings of tension and anxiety.

4. Watching for threats and dangers. People who are always on the edge are usually looking for signs of danger, and may become preoccupied with risky situations or events. They would consciously be on the lookout for danger signs in everything they do.

5. Difficulty concentrating. Thinking about anxiety, fear and worry on a regular basis drains a person’s mental functioning. Most people will find it hard to focus and concentrate for a long period. Some may even find it hard to do a job and stay on one place. The symptoms may point to Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), but in most cases, the real culprit is an anxiety disorder.

6. Irritability. People with anxiety disorder are mostly irritable since they do not get enough rest and relaxation. They may react negatively to everyday situations and may be overly sensitive to even a slight modification in their routine or schedule. This can be improved with adequate rest and stress relief methods, but these habits will take time to develop.

The emotional impact of anxiety disorders can negatively affect people’s life, jobs, and relationships. However, it is important to recognize these early on so that an effective treatment may be prescribed to the sufferer as soon as possible.