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Anxiety disorder is one of the UK’s most common mental health problems, affecting individuals across all age groups and having a significant impact on daily life, work, and relationships. According to the Mental Health Charity, Mind, eight in 100 people are diagnosed with Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD) per week. By spotting the signs of anxiety in yourself or others early, you will be more likely to be able to help yourself or the person experiencing them.
In this blog, we explore the key signs of anxiety disorder and offer guidance on how to become more aware, so you can support yourself or others early and help reduce its impact. Read on for practical tips on spotting the signs of anxiety.
Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD) is a common mental health condition characterised by persistent, excessive, and uncontrollable worry about everyday life events or activities. People with GAD often find it difficult to manage their worry, even when there is little or no reason to be concerned. GAD can also present with physical symptoms. Let’s take a closer look at these signs and explore how to recognise when someone may be struggling with an anxiety disorder.
Tension or restlessness in a person can be a sign of anxiety. Common indicators include tapping feet, clenching fists, fidgeting, or generally being unable to stay still. Pay attention if this agitated behaviour occurs repeatedly.
Anxiety or panic attacks often trigger the body to produce excess adrenaline, putting it into a high-alert state. This can cause the heart to race and may be accompanied by shortness of breath or sweating.
Persistent, obsessive, and distressing thoughts are common in anxiety disorders. Individuals may fixate on worst-case scenarios and struggle to reassure themselves that things will be okay.
Difficulty sleeping or insomnia is a common indicator of anxiety. The brain of someone with anxiety often remains overactive or “on alert,” making it hard to relax and fall asleep.
People with anxiety disorders often engage in “avoidance coping,” steering clear of situations that trigger anxiety. For example, someone with social anxiety may avoid social events or public speaking opportunities.
Anxiety can make it hard to focus, stay on task, or make decisions. This cognitive overload can affect work, studies, or daily activities.
Chronic anxiety can interfere with short-term memory and recall, making it difficult to remember important details or instructions.
Physical symptoms like tension headaches, migraines, or digestive problems (such as nausea, stomach cramps, or irritable bowel) are often linked to anxiety, reflecting the mind-body connection.
Enhancing your skills to support individuals experiencing mental health challenges is incredibly valuable, especially given the high number of people affected by mental health issues. The best course to help you grow your mental health support skills is the Mental Health First Aid course.
This course is applicable across all working environments, so it can be applied anywhere you work. It covers all the foundations you need to provide adequate support to those struggling and helps you to identify, manage, and support individuals experiencing mental health challenges effectively. You will not only become fully-equipped to recognise and respond to mental health issues, but you will also gain confidence, practical skills, and become MHFA-Accredited.
Construction is one of the industries most affected by mental health issues. The Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB), in their Understanding Mental Health in the Built Environment report 2025, highlighted that following the pandemic, there was a significant increase in anxiety and other mental health challenges among workers in the sector.
Given that this is a highlighted issue, it is essential to take steps towards addressing this problem. For those who work in construction, we offer the Mental Health in Construction eLearning course. This course is for anyone who works in the built environment who wants to understand mental health challenges, recognise warning signs, and develop the skills to support colleagues effectively.
Given the construction industry’s unique challenges and its traditionally male-dominated workforce, this course is designed to break the stigma around discussing mental health and address issues commonly faced in construction.
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There are a number of treatments available to help those with anxiety disorders, some of which include:
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) – A structured, evidence-based therapy that helps individuals identify and change negative thought patterns and behaviors contributing to anxiety.
Lifestyle Changes – Adjustments such as regular exercise, a balanced diet, sufficient sleep, and reducing alcohol or caffeine intake can significantly reduce anxiety symptoms.
Mindfulness Practices – Techniques like meditation, deep breathing, and grounding exercises help manage anxious thoughts and increase present-moment awareness.
Stress Management Techniques – ractical strategies such as time management, relaxation exercises, and setting healthy boundaries help reduce overall stress and prevent anxiety from escalating.
Professional Support – In some cases, medications or ongoing therapy prescribed by healthcare professionals may be recommended to complement self-help and practical strategies.
Professional treatment can really make a difference when managing symptoms of anxiety, offering guidance, support, and tools to cope effectively. Watch our short video for quick, practical tips on managing anxiety.
If you or someone you know is struggling with their mental health, take a look at the resources below:
These organisations offer advice, support services, and guidance to help manage anxiety and access professional help when needed.
Last updated: December 2025
Original Post date: 23 August 2018
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