How to Identify Anxiety Symptoms: 5 Lesser Spoken About Signs
Insights from a Telehealth Therapist Serving Connecticut and New York
When people think of anxiety, they often picture the more visible signs: racing thoughts and constant worry. But for many women, anxiety doesn’t always announce itself so clearly. It can present in more subtle and often unexpected ways, disguised as tiredness, irritability, or the simple desire to avoid that unread email.
In my work as a licensed clinical social worker providing virtual therapy to women in Connecticut and New York, I’ve seen how often anxiety gets overlooked or can be misunderstood. When symptoms don’t fit the typical mold, it’s easy to brush them off or think, “Maybe I’m just being lazy.”
But the truth is: anxiety can show up in many different ways. And recognizing and naming the less obvious signs can be the first powerful step toward healing.
The More Common Anxiety Symptoms
Let’s briefly start with the symptoms that most people recognize as anxiety. These signs are valid, real, and often talked about:
Nervousness: A general feeling of unease, like something is “off” or could go wrong.
Worry: Frequent and persistent thoughts that are often about the future or worst-case scenarios.
Increased heart rate: A pounding heart, even when nothing is “wrong.”
Rapid breathing: Feeling short of breath or like you can’t catch your breath.
Sweating or trembling: Physical signs of being on high alert.
While these symptoms are important to recognize, anxiety is individualized, it doesn’t always show up the same way in everyone, especially in women. That’s why it’s just as important to talk about the lesser known signs.
5 Lesser Spoken About Symptoms of Anxiety
1. Fatigue That Doesn’t Make Sense
Do you ever wake up feeling like you didn’t rest at all, even after a full night’s sleep? Or find yourself constantly drained, even when you haven’t done anything physically strenuous?
This is often anxiety. When you’re anxious, your brain and body are on high alert. Even if you’re not consciously aware of it, your nervous system may be constantly scanning for danger, replaying conversations, or preparing for imagined scenarios, which takes a toll.
2. Muscle Tension and Physical Discomfort
Have you ever realized you’ve been clenching your jaw all day? Or noticed your shoulders are up near your ears without knowing how they got there?
Anxiety is just as physical as it is emotional. When your body is in a constant state of “fight, flight, or freeze,” it often responds with muscle tension and discomfort. These symptoms are signs your body is staying in a guarded or defensive state, even if you don’t recognize feeling actively stressed.
Common signs include:
Jaw pain or clenching
Tightness in the shoulders and neck
Headaches
Back pain or stomachaches
3. Irritability and Short Temper
Irritability is one of the most misunderstood symptoms of anxiety, especially in women. But irritability can be a signal from your nervous system. When your inner resources are stretched thin, your brain may interpret even small inconveniences as big threats. You might find yourself snapping at loved ones, feeling overstimulated by sounds, or getting frustrated easily.
4. Difficulty Concentrating or Making Decisions
Anxiety can interfere with how clearly and confidently you think. You might:
Zone out during conversations
Struggle to finish tasks you normally breeze through
Go back and forth on simple decisions (like what to eat or wear)
This mental cloudiness is frustrating and frequently mistaken for a lack of motivation or productivity when in reality, it’s often your mind trying to manage becoming overwhelmed and feelings of uncertainty.
5. Avoidance and Procrastination
This one can be subtle in presentation but is incredibly common.
You might avoid checking your email, putting off errands, or skipping conversations that feel uncomfortable. On the surface, it can look like procrastination or poor time management but under the surface, it’s often anxiety saying: “This feels too hard or too risky right now.”
Avoidance is a protective strategy, it gives short-term relief but often leads to long-term stress.
The Hidden Gift of Anxiety (Yes, Really)
Anxiety is often labeled as “bad,” but it actually plays a meaningful role. It’s your body’s way of trying to protect you, it alerts you when something feels off or unsafe, it can reveal what we deeply value, and in some cases, it can even motivate growth and change.
When managed well, anxiety can be:
A motivator to prepare and plan
A protector when you truly need to be alert
An insightful guide into your values and boundaries
The key is not to eliminate anxiety completely but to learn how to better understand and manage it.
Therapy Addressing Anxiety in Connecticut and New York
You don’t need to wait until anxiety becomes unbearable to seek help. The good news is that you don’t have to figure it out on your own. Understanding your symptoms is empowering. It’s the first step in learning how to manage anxiety in a way that supports your well-being.
In my virtual therapy practice, I help women across Connecticut and New York recognize and work through anxiety with compassion, support, and practical coping skills tailored to their individual needs. Telehealth offers flexibility, privacy, and convenience to help you prioritize your mental health.
Taking the Next Step
If any of the discussed symptoms resonate with you, please know you’re not alone. Anxiety can look a little different for everyone; however, healing starts with being seen and supported.
I invite you to schedule a free consultation call to explore how therapy can help you feel more grounded and empowered.
Let’s talk about what you're experiencing and how I can support you through it, one step at a time.
This blog post is for informational purposes only and is not intended as clinical advice. If you are experiencing anxiety or mental health challenges, please reach out to a licensed mental health professional for a full evaluation.