Signs of anxiety and distress

Anxiety and distress can also present as worry, nervousness, upset or fear. These feelings often relate to the progression of an illness, treatment side effects, or concerns about death. Anxiety levels may increase during periods of uncertainty or when other symptoms, like pain, are not managed effectively.

These are common signs of anxiety and distress:

• Constantly worrying about one’s health, prognosis or the future
• Often feeling alone, sad or hopeless
• Trouble falling asleep and waking a lot during sleep
• Feeling tired or exhausted all the time
• Always feeling restless, stressed or "on edge"
• Having trouble concentrating or easily getting distracted
• Distancing from friends or family more than usual
• Getting irritated or angry quickly
• Often crying or having intense emotional reactions
• Avoiding conversations about the illness or what’s next in treatment
• Feeling detached or numb
• Physical signs like nausea, shaky hands, sweating, fast breathing, or a racing heart
• Changing eating habits, like overeating or not wanting food

Pay special attention to these symptoms when anxiety and distress lead to complications or added discomfort such as:

• Any limb weakness, facial droop or slurred speech - contact emergency services ASAP
• Signs of uncontrolled pain, like moaning or facial grimacing
• Sudden onset of confusion
• Falling in and out of consciousness
• Seeing or hearing things others cannot (hallucinations)
• Very dark urine or not going to the toilet much
• Muscle cramping or twitching
• Chest pain or discomfort
• Swelling, especially in the legs, ankles, or feet

Do not hesitate to reach out to a medical professional if you are at all concerned. Any significant change in symptoms, or the sudden onset of new symptoms, should be evaluated as soon as possible by a healthcare professional.