What is a common symptom of anxiety?

Increased heart rate is a common symptom of anxiety due to the body's natural "fight or flight" response when faced with stress or perceived danger. This physiological reaction triggers the release of adrenaline, which leads to various changes in the body, including an elevated heart rate. This response prepares the body to respond to threats, and while it can be beneficial in certain situations, for individuals experiencing anxiety, this heightened state often occurs without any imminent danger, resulting in persistent feelings of unease and discomfort.

The other symptoms listed, such as a persistent cough, joint pains, and loss of appetite, can occur due to various medical conditions or psychological factors but are not typically recognized as primary indicators of anxiety in the same way that an increased heart rate is. Each of these other symptoms might have different underlying causes, making them less specific to anxiety disorders compared to the body's response of an increased heart rate during anxiety episodes.