Symptom: Nervousness

Introduction: Nervousness

Nervousness is usually used to describe mental states similar to anxiety, but with more obvious external symptoms, such as nail biting, fidgeting, etc. However, nervousness and anxiety are similar, and the causes of anxiety need to be examined for nervousness symptoms. Nervousness needs also to be distinguished from restlessness or hyperactivity. Nervousness usually has little to do with the physical nervous system.

» Review Causes of Nervousness: full list

Causes of Nervousness:

The following medical conditions are some of the possible causes of Nervousness. There are likely to be other possible causes, so ask your doctor about your symptoms.

• Normal behavior
• Anxiety - see causes of anxiety (a similar symptom to nervousness)
• Restlessness
• Hyperactivity
• Thyroid disorder
• Hyperthyroidism
• Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
• Caffeine poisoning
• Toxic multinodular goiter

See full list of 37 causes of Nervousness

» Review Causes of Nervousness: full list

Nervousness: Multiple Symptom Checker

Listed below are some combinations of symptoms associated with Nervousness, as listed in our database. Visit the Multiple Symptoms Checker, to add and remove symptoms and research your condition.

Multiple Symptom Checker - Other Symptoms

• Nervousness: Multiple Symptom Checker

Multiple Symptom Checker Combinations

• Nervousness and Anxiety (30 causes)
• Nervousness and Behavioral symptoms (30 causes)
• Nervousness and Emotional symptoms (30 causes)
• Nervousness and Society problems (30 causes)
• Nervousness and Personality symptoms (25 causes)
• Nervousness and Nerve symptoms (23 causes)
• Nervousness and Sensations (23 causes)
• Nervousness and Pain (20 causes)
• Nervousness and Digestive symptoms (19 causes)
• Nervousness and Weakness (19 causes)
• Nervousness and Sweat symptoms (18 causes)
• Nervousness and Head symptoms (17 causes)
• Nervousness and Sweating (17 causes)
• Nervousness and Fatigue (17 causes)
• Nervousness and Muscle symptoms (17 causes)
• Nervousness and Muscle weakness (17 causes)
• Nervousness and Heart rhythm symptoms (16 causes)
• Nervousness and Heart symptoms (16 causes)
• Nervousness and Rapid heart beat (15 causes)
• Nervousness and Tremor symptoms (15 causes)

See full list of 465 Multiple Symptom Checker combinations related to Nervousness

Home Diagnostic Testing and Nervousness

Home medical tests possibly related to Nervousness:

• Mental Health: Home Testing:
  • Home Emotional Stress Tests

Causes of General Symptom Types

Research the causes of these more general types of symptom:

• Anxiety (627 causes)
• Behavioral symptoms (2767 causes)
• Emotional symptoms (816 causes)
• Common symptoms (4555 causes)
• Society problems (955 causes)
• Personality symptoms (2477 causes)

Causes of Similar Symptoms to Nervousness

Research the causes of these symptoms that are similar to, or related to, the symptom Nervousness:

• Anxiety (627 causes)
• Fear (49 causes)
• Emotional symptoms (816 causes)
• Personality symptoms (2477 causes)

Diagnostic Guides for Nervousness

Medical Books Excerpts Read excerpts from published book sections related to Nervousness from the following published medical books for more detailed information about Nervousness. Free access (no registration): read all online diagnostic book sections about Nervousness

Copyright notice for book excerpts: Copyright © 2008 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. All rights reserved.

Misdiagnosis and Nervousness

Undiagnosed stroke leads to misdiagnosed aphasia: BBC News UK reported on a man who had been institutionalized and treated for mental illness because he suffered from sudden inability to speak. This was initially misdiagnosed as a "nervous breakdown" and other...read more »

Dementia may be a drug interaction: A common scenario in aged care is for a patient to show mental decline to dementia. Whereas this can, of course, occur due to various medical conditions, such as a stroke or ...read more »

ADHD under-diagnosed in adults: Although the over-diagnoses of ADHD in children is a well-known controversy, the reverse side related to adults. Some adults can remain undiagnosed, and indeed the condition has usually been overlooked throughout childhood....read more »

Bipolar disorder misdiagosed as various conditions by primary physicians: Bipolar disorder (manic-depressive disorder) often fails to be diagnosed correctly by primary care physicians. Many patients with bipolar seek help from their...read more »

Eating disorders under-diagnosed in men: The typical patient with an eating disorder is female. The result is that men with eating disorders often...read more »

Depression undiagnosed in teenagers: Serious bouts of depression can be undiagnosed in teenagers. The "normal" moodiness of teenagers can cause...read more »

Undiagnosed anxiety disorders related to depression: Patients with depression (see symptoms of depression) may also have undiagnosed anxiety disorders (see...read more »

Read more about Misdiagnosis and Nervousness

Diagnostic tests for Nervousness:

Various tests are used in the diagnosis of Nervousness. Some of these are listed below :

• Physical examination
  • Examine for possible causes of physical illness that may cause nervousness or present as nervousness - e.g. enlarged thyroid associated with hyperthyroidism.
• Mental state examination - including appearance, behavior, rate and continuity of speech, mood, affect, thought content, evidence of any hallucinations or abnormal beliefs, orientation to time, place and person, attention and concentration, short-term memory, insight and judgement.
• Blood tests
  • Thyroid function test to rule out hyperthyroidism

See full list of 11 diagnostic tests for Nervousness

Diagnosis Checklist: Questions your doctor may ask (and why!)

During a consultation, your doctor will use various techniques in their assessment of Nervousness. Your doctor may ask several questions when assessing your condition. It is important to remember that your consultation is a two-way process and any extra information you can share with your doctor about your symptoms may help them with their diagnosis. Some of the questions your doctor may ask are listed below:

• How long have you had nervousness? - to determine if acute or chronic.
• Is there a simple reason to explain nervousness? - e.g. a certain level of nervousness is considered normal behaviour. Nervousness may be precipitated by events such as an impending exam, job interview, an overseas flight, receiving medical test results or a date with a new partner.
• Is the nervousness intermittent or constant? - Intermittent nervousness may suggest the possibility of epilepsy, phaeochromocytoma, insulinoma or intermittent cardiac arrhythmia.
• Current stressors? - e.g. interpersonal relationships, physical health, occupational stressors or financial worries - increased nervousness may be related to stressful life events.
• Have the symptoms followed exposure to an unusual stress? - e.g. sexual assault, natural disaster, battle? - may indicate Post-traumatic stress disorder which can occur with other symptoms of anxiety and nervousness.

See Diagnosis Checklist for Nervousness (23 listings)

Diagnosis Checklist: Associated symptoms your doctor may ask about (and why!)

Sometimes, other symptoms may be present and may help your doctor analyse your condition. The symptoms your doctor may ask about (in association with Nervousness) may include:

• Symptoms of anxiety? - e.g. nervousness, shakiness, tremor, restlessness, irritability, insomnia, poor concentration, heart palpitations, racing heart, sweating, dizziness, diarrhea, lump in throat and frequency of urination - anxiety and depression are very closely related and may co-exist, however anxiety may mask an underlying depression.
• Symptoms of depression? - (e.g. down mood, insomnia, poor self esteem, teary, poor concentration and attention, feelings of worthlessness) - Most people with long standing anxiety will eventually develop depressive symptoms however anxiety can also be misdiagnosed as depression as they are closely related.
• Psychotic symptoms? - e.g. hallucinations , paranoia , delusional thinking) - schizophrenia and bipolar disorder can be misdiagnosed or associated with anxiety.
• Panic attacks? - recurrent panic attacks occur in Panic disorder and may be confused with generalised anxiety disorder or be associated with anxiety.
• Phobias? - persistent, irrational fear with a compelling desire to avoid the object or situation occurs in Phobia disorders and may be confused with generalized anxiety disorder or be associated with anxiety.

See Diagnosis Checklist for Nervousness (23 listings)

Stories from Users for Nervousness

Real-life user stories relating to Nervousness:

• nervousness
• nervous!!!!!!!!
• new behavior
• Terrified, please help
• nervousness help
• strange toddler behavior
• strange behavior
• I feel happy but feel anxious and emotional!
• Aweful situation...
• terrified of surgery/tests
• Aweful situation!!
• Anxious....
• nervousness
• A Puzzling Situation
• quite anxious
• im scared urinating or feeling need to constantly
• Help! My wrists feel weird... Im worried...
• quite anxious

Symptom specific forums: The following patient stories in our interactive forums and message boards relate to Nervousness or relevant symptoms:

• Neurological (Nerves) (357)
  • Could this be MS?
  • Numbness and tingling all over
  • Tingling/numbness in arms/hands/legs/face/head [more symptoms]
  • Eye twitch
  • Essential tremor
  • More user stories
• Psychiatric (Mental Health) (218)
  • PLEASE can anyone help my son?!
  • My husbands making me sad
  • Heart condition or mental health problem?
  • Anxiety or...?
  • Weird Behavior at School. Normal?
  • More user stories
• Endocrine (Growth and Metabolism) (93)
  • Symptoms of Cushing's - Tests all negative
  • Has anyone been diagnosed with Wilson's Temperature Syndrome and are being treated??
  • Pitutary tumor
  • I am at my wits end with these symptoms
  • I think I have Cushings, can you help?
  • More user stories

Videos for Nervousness

Patient Surveys for Nervousness

• Patient Profile Survey
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• Survey about diseases related to your Nervousness
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Medications or substances causing Nervousness:

The following drugs, medications, substances or toxins are some of the possible causes of Nervousness as a symptom. Always advise your doctor of any medications or treatments you are using, including prescription, over-the-counter, supplements, herbal or alternative treatments.

• Diphenidol Hydrochloride
• Vontrol
• Dimercaprol
• BAL in Oil
• Corticotropin

See full list of 1012 medications causing Nervousness

Drug interactions causing Nervousness:

When combined, certain drugs, medications, substances or toxins may react causing Nervousness as a symptom. Always advise your doctor of any medications or treatments you are using, including prescription, over-the-counter, supplements, herbal or alternative treatments.

• Tagamet (Cimetidine) and Adalat (Nifedipine) interaction
• Tagamet (Cimetidine) and Procardia (Nifedipine) interaction
• Grapefruit juice and Calan (Verapamil) interaction
• Grapefruit juice and Isoptin (Verapamil) interaction
• Grapefruit juice and Verelan (Verapamil) interaction

See full list of 489 drug interactions causing Nervousness

Definitions of Nervousness:

Nervousness: A condition of being nervous (2).
Source: Stedman's Medical Spellchecker, © 2006 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. All rights reserved.

Organs affected by Nervousness:

The list of organs typically affected by Nervousness may include, but is not limited to:

• Brain

Detailed list of causes of Nervousness

The list below shows some of the causes of Nervousness mentioned in various sources:

• Acute stress disorder - Nervousness
• Anemic - hematuria syndrome - nervousness
• Anxiety - Nervousness
• Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
• Autoimmune thyroid diseases - nervousness

See full list of 37 causes of Nervousness

How Common are these Causes of Nervousness?

This information refers to the general prevalence and incidence of these diseases, not to how likely they are to be the actual cause of Nervousness. Of the 37 causes of Nervousness that we have listed, we have the following prevalence/incidence information:

• 2 causes are "very common" diseases
• 3 causes are "common" diseases
• 0 causes are "uncommon" diseases
• 0 causes are "rare" diseases
• 2 causes are "very rare" diseases
• 31 causes have no prevalence information.

See the analysis of the prevalence of 37 causes of Nervousness

Conditions listing symptoms: Nervousness:

The following list of conditions have 'Nervousness' or similar listed as a symptom in our database. This computer-generated list may be inaccurate or incomplete. Always seek prompt professional medical advice about the cause of any symptom.

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Causes of Nervousness Based on Risk Factors

This information shows analysis of the list of causes of Nervousness based on whether certain risk factors apply to the patient: