I feel restless and anxious: what should I know?

Restlessness may feel like an urge to move, difficulty sitting still, or a mind that will not settle. Anxiety can add racing thoughts, muscle tension, a fast heartbeat, sweating, nausea, or trouble concentrating. Stress, caffeine, missed sleep, alcohol withdrawal, and some medicines can contribute. Ongoing worry may occur with Generalised Anxiety Disorder, while sudden intense episodes can occur with Panic Disorder. An overactive thyroid can also cause nervousness, tremor, heat intolerance, or palpitations. These symptoms do not identify one cause by themselves.

Write down when the restlessness starts, what you were doing, how you slept, and any caffeine, alcohol, supplements, or new medicines. Try slow breathing with a longer exhale, a brief walk, regular meals, and a calmer bedtime routine. Reduce stimulants if they make symptoms stronger. Arrange a Mental Health Assessment or primary-care appointment if worry keeps returning, affects work or relationships, or makes sleep difficult. Bring your symptom notes and medicine list.

Seek urgent help if anxiety comes with severe chest pain, fainting, severe breathing difficulty, confusion, or thoughts of harming yourself. Contact a clinician promptly for new palpitations, marked shaking, several nights of very little sleep, or symptoms after stopping alcohol or a prescribed medicine. Otherwise, book an appointment when the problem continues, worsens, or limits ordinary activities.

Ask whether your symptoms could relate to sleep, stress, thyroid function, substances, or a medicine; what assessment is appropriate; and which treatment options could help you settle your body and thoughts.