Anxiety Disorder Physical Symptoms: 10 Things I'd Loved To Know Earlier
Physical Symptoms of Anxiety Disorder
Everyone experiences anxiety at times, but when anxiety becomes a condition it can cause physical and emotional symptoms. This can include a feeling of tension in the muscles, restlessness and stomach problems.
A psychologist, psychiatrist or therapist will employ screening tools to determine if you suffer from anxiety disorders. They will also ask about your medical history, and conduct tests to rule out other health conditions which may cause similar symptoms.
1. Headaches
Most people feel anxious from time times. An anxiety disorder occurs when these feelings are continuous or more frequent. Anxiety can also impact your daily life and cause you to avoid social situations.
One of the most common physical symptoms of anxiety are headaches. They can range from tension headache2 up to a full-blown migraine for some people. This is due to the fact that many people tense their bodies in response to the fight or flight response and holding their muscles for prolonged periods of time can lead to pain.3
Another physical symptom of anxiety is lightheadedness or dizziness. It could be due to a rapid heart rate, hyperventilating, or a combination. It can also be an indication of a serious medical issue like heart disease, which is why it's crucial to have your heart checked by your doctor.
You might also feel weak, especially in your legs or arms. This can be a sign of stress. This is because your nervous system releases adrenaline and cortisol, which helps you respond to a threat by speeding up the heartbeat and preparing your body for a potential attack. In time the hormones can have a negative impact on your health, causing you feel weak, shaky or dizzy.
If you are having trouble getting enough rest due to anxiety, it can cause your symptoms to get worse. Try to unwind before bed and adhere to a regular routine so that you can sleep better. Exercise can be beneficial. Brisk aerobic activity can release brain chemicals that can reduce stress and improve your mood. It can assist you in falling asleep faster. Talk to your doctor if you are still struggling to sleep.
2. Stomach issues
The body is tense in response to anxiety, and if you have chronic anxiety, it could result in persistent discomfort. Your muscles may ache, your stomach can feel a bit sluggish, or you could develop diarrhea. Your gastrointestinal system can also be affected by the constant release of stress hormones, which can cause constipation, bloating and IBS.
You can experience stomach issues with any type of anxiety disorder, but people who suffer from panic disorders are more likely to have them. Panic attacks are sudden sensations of terror or impending doom that occur in specific situations or without explanation, according to the American Psychiatric Association. You may feel like you're experiencing an attack of the heart or that you're not breathing, and you might experience chest pain and a rapid heartbeat.
panic anxiety disorder can increase your risk of other health problems, too. The fight-or-flight hormones that cause the symptoms of anxiety aid us in responding to danger however, if you're in high alert throughout the day, your immune system can suffer. This can make you more prone to the common cold, and other ailments.
Your doctor can diagnose anxiety disorders by conducting a physical examination and an interview about your symptoms. Before diagnosing anxiety, they can determine if there are other causes, such as heart disease and thyroid problems. A mental health professional will also be able to provide support and help manage your symptoms. panic anxiety disorder can help you learn relaxation techniques and work through any traumas or negative experiences which may have caused anxiety. They can also assist you to identify a treatment plan that is appropriate for you. Ask your doctor for a referral or browse online therapist directories to find an anxiety specialist.
3. Muscle tension
Many people are aware that a racing pulse and a hand that is jittery are indications of anxiety. However, they don't know that chronic muscle tension can be an indication of anxiety disorders such as generalized anxiety disorder social anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and certain fears. If someone is suffering from these symptoms on a regular basis they could lose their range and suffer from chronic pain in their back, neck and shoulders.
disorders anxiety may be a sign of anxiety disorders as the body's fight or flight response triggers a series of responses that result in us physically reacting when we feel threatened. Moderate anxiety levels elicit these responses as part our instinctual survival instinct, but they can cause long-term problems with muscles when they happen frequently or over a long period of time.
If a serious threat is present your adrenal glands pump out hormones that accelerate the speed at which your heart beats to ensure it can pump more blood to the large muscles in your arms and legs in the event that you need to flee or fight threat. These increased heart rates also boost how quickly your lungs are filled with oxygen. The combination of stress and hyperventilation can cause you feel lightheaded or dizzy.
If you suffer from an anxiety disorder, your body isn't able to its normal state of relaxation between stress responses. Your anxiety disorder makes you be constantly anxious, so your sympathetic nervous system is on high alert. According to the American Psychological Association, this can lead to chronic muscle tensing and long-term pain. It can also affect your digestive system, which may cause stomach pain, constipation, diarrhea, or irritable bowel syndrome.
4. Dizziness
You might be shaky or unbalanced in the event of anxiety. The reason for this is to be due to the nervous system's response to anxiety. Your body is tense when you think about something that scares or worries you, and then it relaxes after the threat has passed. If, however, your anxiety is chronic and you are experiencing these symptoms often, you may be diagnosed with an anxiety disorder.
If you're constantly stressed often, it can be hard to focus or get enough sleep. It also affects your body and may cause you to gain weight, as per the Cleveland Clinic. Anxiety can also have a significant impact on your menstrual cycles. It's because it could cause you to skip or experience irregular menstrual cycles by affecting the release of hormones that trigger ovulation, as per the American Psychological Association.
High blood pressure or heart disease can make you more prone to anxiety, and it's essential to bring these medical conditions under control to lower your risk. If you suffer from these conditions, be sure to inform your therapist.
Other factors that increase your risk for anxiety are traumatic events, such as being in a car crash or having surgery. Anxiety can be triggered by a chronic illness such as diabetes or asthma, or a recurring medical illness. There are solutions for anxiety disorders. Psychotherapy or talk therapy such as cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) can aid. CBT teaches you how to transform negative thoughts and behaviors that trigger anxiety into positive ones. You can also learn to practice relaxation techniques, like deep breathing or meditation. Additionally there are supplements available to calm your mind and body.
5. Sweating
Anxiety is a term used to describe for a variety of daunting feelings that can make your heart race and your stomach turn a bit upset, and your muscles tense. These symptoms alone aren't enough to cause anxiety disorder, but when they become chronic, it can be a problem. You might also experience chills, sweating and other physical symptoms that cause you to seek medical treatment.
Sweating is a common physical symptom of anxiety disorders, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. When your body's "fight-or-flight" response kicks in, it boosts the rate of blood circulation to prepare you for combat. This boost in heart rate can cause you to feel dizzy and breathless. Breathing faster than normal--also known as hyperventilation--can enhance many of these physical symptoms by upsetting the balance between oxygen and carbon dioxide in your body, according to U.S. National Library of Medicine.
This imbalance could cause the feeling of not being able to breathe, which is called dyspnea. This could be a sign that your anxiety has grown too severe to handle.
Your doctor will test your anxiety for a disorder based on your reported symptoms and how they interfere with your daily activities. You'll be asked about your past experiences as well as current concerns. They may also perform tests to check for other health issues that may be causing your symptoms, such as imaging scanners and blood tests. In certain instances, they might recommend medications to relieve the symptoms. They can recommend strong antiperspirants containing aluminium, drugs that block nerves, or Botox injections to treat sweat glands. Alternative treatments include cognitive behavioral therapy, psychotherapy and techniques for relaxation such as meditation or yoga.