Red flags
Red flags
It’s important to be able to recognise the signs and symptoms which provide clues about a person’s needs and concerns, and the urgency of these needs.
Understanding the perspective of a person with an anxiety disorder in this way helps you, as a pharmacy professional, to identify the most appropriate support or course of action. The ability to recognise red flag symptoms of anxiety that require an urgent referral is crucial to safe and effective person-centred care and shared decision making.
Differentiating between ‘non-red’ and ‘red’ flag symptoms
- Dry mouth
- Loss or gain of appetite
- Using the toilet more often
- Raised heart rate
- Palpitations
- Fidgeting
- Increased perspiration
- Butterflies in stomach
- Having trouble sleeping
- Difficulty concentrating
- Trembling or shaking
- Cold hands and feet.
- Acid reflux symptoms resistant to treatment
- Significant changes in mood or appearance
- Persistent anxiety during daily activities
- Shortness of breath
- Anxiety which hinders daily activities
- Frequent episodes of anxiety
- Feelings of suicide, self-harm or harm to others
- Visible signs of anxiety e.g., looking repeatedly over their shoulder, looking around nervously or avoiding eye contact.
Non-red flag symptoms of anxiety are short-lived and common during periods of stress. Many of these symptoms are also common in panic attacks which, although they can be frightening or distressing, are not dangerous and don’t require hospital admission.
Many of the non-red flag symptoms could be related to other long-term conditions. Remember that anyone with persistent non-red flag symptoms should also be referred for further investigation and medical advice.