Having anxiety is perfectly normal -- it's a natural reaction to stress.
It helps each of us deal with difficult situations by prompting us to cope with it.
Most of us run into anxiety at some point everyday.
It's when anxiety becomes excessive that you may have a problem.
Unfortunately, the list of signs and symptoms of anxiety number in the hundreds -- too many to list here.
However, the most common include: * Heart palpitations.
You may feel like you have a "racing heart" or that it's skipping beats.
Some people feel their heart isn't beating evenly, that is, some beats are harder than others.
* Nausea.
The king of all non-specific symptoms, nausea can appear suddenly and without warning, making you feel as though you might vomit.
* Chest pain and/or shortness of breath.
The scariest of all anxiety symptoms in that most people perceive these signs to mean a possible heart attack, which only compounds the anxiety since now the sufferer thinks they may be dealing with an imminent life-threatening issue.
* Stomach aches.
Many people feel stomach pains and may even make a trip to the restroom when they feel anxiety coming on.
* Headaches.
Directly related to stress, headaches are one of the most common reasons for trips to the doctor's office.
Physically, your body prepares to deal with the "threat" (whatever is causing your anxiety).
Blood pressure and heart rate increase, as does sweating and blood flow to the body's major muscle groups.
Externally you may tremble, sweat, or look pale.
Emotionally you may feel an incredible sense of dread or panic.
It's at this point where you've entered the realm of panic attacks.
Fortunately, there is help.