It’s normal to feel a little anxious sometimes – such as before an exam, when meeting someone new, or giving a presentation. These feelings usually pass once the situation is over.
Anxiety can become a problem when:
- you feel anxious most days
- the feelings last a long time
- it affects work, relationships or daily life
- you avoid things out of fear
- you worry about things that aren’t an immediate concern
- your sleep is badly affected
What it can feel like
When the fight-or-flight (or freeze) response is triggered often or for long periods, our body can get stuck in a state of high alert.
This can affect how we think, feel and behave. You might:
- find it hard to focus
- feel constantly on edge or under attack
- breathe quickly or feel light-headed
- struggle to relax or sleep
- feel more irritable or impulsive
- feel spaced-out or disconnected
- drink more alcohol to cope
- avoid people, places or things you need to do
Having anxious thoughts over and over again can also make it hard to enjoy life in the moment.
Physical effects
Anxiety doesn’t just affect your thoughts and feelings, it can affect your body too. You might notice:
- headaches
- stomach problems (such as nausea, diarrhoea or IBS symptoms)
- panic attacks
- sweating or shaking
- muscle aches or tension
- getting ill more often
- feeling exhausted or run down
For neurodivergent people, sensory overload or burnout can also affect the body, for example through exhaustion or shutdown.
When anxiety or stress lasts a long time, it can make existing health conditions harder to manage, or cause flare-ups – such as with digestion, pain, skin problems or fatigue.
These physical symptoms can feel worrying. In most cases, they are part of the body’s stress response and usually ease as anxiety settles. But if symptoms are new, persistent or affecting your life, it’s always okay to speak to a GP.
Last updated: February 2026