Table 1 Signs and symptoms of anxiety

Clenched fists (white knuckles), sweaty hands

Pallor, sweating

Tense, raised shoulders, sitting upright unsupported in the chair, ill at ease

Fidgeting, nail biting, licking lips

Hypervigilance (constantly looking around, suspicious, extremely alert and conscious of environment)

Distracted, confused, unable to concentrate

Very quiet or extremely

talkative; breathlessness

Tachycardia (heart rate of >100 bpm)

Palpitations

Hypertension

Dry mouth

Frequent visits to the toilet

Feeling nauseous, light headed or faint, vomiting, syncope, ‘butterflies’, stomach pains

Tremor

Hyperventilation/panic attack