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Anxiety disorders affect millions of men and women every year, and most people experience a combination of emotional and physical symptoms depending on the severity of their condition. There are different types of anxiety disorders: generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder and many others. However, these different classifications of anxiety disorder all exhibit common physical effects and emotional symptoms.

The primary symptoms associated with all anxiety disorders is excessive, even irrational fear or worry about a particular situation, place or thing. Nevertheless, there are other emotional symptoms that are associated with anxiety disorders. Below are the most common emotional effects experienced by anxiety disorder sufferers.

1. Negative thinking. Most people suffering from an anxiety disorder are always preparing for the worst, and expect negative things to happen. In other words, sufferers are in a cycle of negative thinking, which further worsens the problem and leads to depression.

2. Agitation or restlessness. A person with anxiety disorder often feels agitated and restless. In some cases, the sufferer may experience constant restlessness even when trying to relax at home. This is because they have gotten into the habit of maintaining a heightened sense of awareness, and may have become particularly sensitive to even the slightest changes in their environment.

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. Looking out for danger. People who are always on the edge are usually looking for signs of danger, and may become preoccupied with risky situations or events. Additionally, they will be extremely cautious in doing something and going somewhere to avoid scary situations.

5. Difficulty Focusing. Thinking about anxiety, fear and worry on a regular basis drains a person’s mental functioning. They may have difficulty sitting in one place for long periods of time to perform tasks at a job, complete schoolwork, or finish a project. Symptoms may be recognized as ADD or ADHD, but in many cases, the root cause is an anxiety disorder.

6. Irritable. People with anxiety disorder are mostly irritable since they do not get enough rest and relaxation. They may be overly sensitive in a course of a day specially if there is a change in their routine. This can be remedied by a better handling of stress and taking the time to develop a relaxation habit.

There are several emotional symptoms of anxiety disorders that can adversely affect the sufferer’s life, and the lives of their friends and family. However, it is important to recognize these early on so that an effective treatment may be prescribed to the sufferer as soon as possible.