What are the early signs of anxiety?

Common signs of anxiety include feeling restless or worried, having trouble concentrating, having trouble sleeping, dizziness, and heart palpitations. Generalised anxiety disorder (GAD) can cause both psychological and physical symptoms. These vary from person to person but can include feeling restless, a sense of dread, difficulty concentrating, and irritability.

What you are describing — persistent worry about small things plus racing heart — does sound like it could be generalised anxiety. The key differentiator is whether these feelings are disproportionate to the actual situation and whether they persist most days for at least 6 months. I would recommend speaking with your GP who can do a proper assessment.

This is an important mental health question. We recommend speaking with your GP for personalised advice. You can also contact NHS 111 (free, 24/7) for urgent guidance, or visit nhs.uk for trusted health information. Please note: this is general health information, not a substitute for professional medical advice.