5 Laws Everyone Working In Anxiety Disorder Physical Symptoms Should Know

Physical Symptoms of Anxiety Disorder

Although everyone experiences anxiety from time to time, when anxiety becomes an illness, it can trigger physical symptoms as well as emotional ones. This can include a feeling of tension in the muscles, restlessness and stomach issues.


A psychologist, psychiatrist, or therapist will use screening tools to determine if you have anxiety disorder. They will also ask you about your medical history and run tests to rule out other medical conditions that could cause similar symptoms.

1. Headaches

The majority of people experience anxiety at times. An anxiety disorder occurs when these feelings become persistent or more frequent. Anxiety can affect your daily life and cause you to avoid social situations.

Headaches are a common physical symptom that is associated with anxiety. They can range from tension headache2 to a complete migraine in some individuals. This is due to the fact that many people tighten their muscles in response to the fight or flight response, and holding those muscles rigidly for long periods of time can cause pain.3

Another physical sign of anxiety is dizziness or lightheadedness. This could be caused by a rapid heart rate, hyperventilating, or an amalgamation of the two. It could also be a sign of a serious medical problem such as heart disease, which is why it's crucial to have your heart checked out by your physician.

You might be feeling weak in your arms or legs, which can be another sign of anxiety. This is because your nervous system releases cortisol and adrenaline, which helps you respond to a danger by speeding up your heartbeat and preparing your body for a potential attack. In time the hormones can have a negative impact on your health, making you feel weak, shaky or dizzy.

If you are having trouble getting enough sleep because of anxiety, it can make your symptoms worse. Relax before going to bed and stick to the same routine. This will allow you to get more sleep. Exercise can also be beneficial. Exercise can help. Consult your physician If you're still having trouble sleeping.

2. Stomach problems

The body tenses up in response to anxiety and if you suffer from chronic anxiety, it could cause chronic discomfort. There may be stomach pain, muscle aches or diarrhea. Your digestive system may be affected by the constant release of stress hormones, and this can lead to constipation, bloating, or IBS.

It is possible to experience stomach problems with any type of anxiety disorder, however people with panic disorders are more likely to suffer from stomach issues. Panic attacks are sudden feelings of fear or imminent doom that happen in specific circumstances or without explanation according to the American Psychiatric Association. You might feel as if you're experiencing a heart attack or that you're unable to breathe. You might also experience chest pains or a rapid pulse.

Chronic anxiety can increase the risk of developing other health issues. The hormones responsible for fighting or flight that cause the symptoms of anxiety assist us in responding to a threat, but if you're on high alert throughout the day your immune system could be affected. This could increase your risk of contracting the common cold, as well as other illnesses.

Your doctor can diagnose anxiety disorders through an examination of your body and a discussion regarding your symptoms. They can rule out other reasons, such as thyroid issues or heart disease prior to determining you have anxiety. A mental health professional will also be able to offer you support and help manage your symptoms. They can assist you in learning techniques for relaxation and work through any underlying traumas or negative experiences that could have triggered your anxiety. They can also assist you in finding the right treatment for you. Ask your doctor to refer you to one or look up directories online for an anxiety specialist.

3. Muscle tension

While most people know that a racing heart and hands that feel jittery are signs of anxiety, many don't know that muscle tension can be a physical indicator of anxiety disorders such as generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), social anxiety disorder (SAD) panic disorder, or specific fears. If a person experiences these symptoms regularly they may lose their range of motion and suffer from chronic pain in their neck, back, and shoulders.

Tense muscles can be a symptom of anxiety disorders as the body's fight or flight response triggers a sequence of bodily reactions that trigger us to physically react when we sense danger. A moderate level of anxiety triggers these responses as part our survival instincts, but they can cause long-term muscle issues when they occur regularly or over a prolonged period of time.

When a real threat occurs, your adrenal glands churn out hormones that speed up the rate at which your heart beats to ensure it can pump more blood to the big muscles in your arms and legs in case you need to escape or fight the threat. The increased heart rates also increase the speed of your lungs filling with oxygen. The combination of stress and hyperventilation can make you feel lightheaded or dizzy.

If you suffer from an anxiety disorder, your body isn't able to return to its normal state of rest between stress responses. You feel anxious all the while because of your anxiety disorder, which is why you keep your sympathetic nervous system on high alert. According to the American Psychological Association, this could lead to chronic muscle tensing and long-term pain. It can also affect the digestive system, causing stomachaches, constipation, diarrhea, or irritable bowel syndrome.

4. Dizziness

If you're a stressed-out person you may feel dizzy and off balance. This is due to the nervous system's response to anxiety. If you are stressed or anxious your body tightens and then it relaxes. If you experience these symptoms frequently and your anxiety is persistent it could be that you suffer from an anxiety disorder.

If you're stressed on a regular basis, it can be hard to focus or sleep enough. It also wreaks havoc on your body, and could cause you to gain weight, per the Cleveland Clinic. Anxiety also has a major effect on your menstrual cycle. According to the American Psychological Association, anxiety can cause you to miss your periods or have irregular cycles due to altering hormones that cause menstrual ovulation.

You can be more susceptible to anxiety if you suffer from high blood pressure or heart issues. It is important to manage these medical conditions to reduce your risk. If you suffer from these conditions, make sure to inform your therapist.

Traumatic experiences like a car accident or surgery can also increase the risk of anxiety. A chronic medical condition, such as asthma or chronic health issues like diabetes can also trigger anxiety. The good news is that there are solutions which can alleviate anxiety issues. Talk therapy or psychotherapy such as cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) can aid. CBT teaches you how to transform negative thoughts and behaviors that cause anxiety to positive ones. You can also learn to use relaxation techniques, such as meditation or deep breathing. You can also take supplements to help calm your mind and body.

5. Sweating

Anxiety is a term used to describe for a range of frightening feelings that could cause your heart to beat, your stomach upset and your muscles tight. These feelings alone are not enough to cause anxiety disorder but when they become chronic, they can cause problems. You may be experiencing chills, sweating and other physical symptoms that cause you to seek medical attention.

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 increases the speed of blood circulation to prepare you for battle or escape. 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.

Dyspnea refers to a feeling that you can't breathe. It's an indication that your anxiety is getting too overwhelming to manage.

Your healthcare provider will assess you for an anxiety disorder in light of your symptoms and how they interfere with your daily life. They'll start by asking you about your previous experiences and current concerns. They may also run tests to identify other health issues that may be causing them, like bloodwork and imaging scans. In certain instances they may suggest medications to ease your symptoms, such as powerful antiperspirants that contain aluminium, nerve-blocking drugs, or botulinum toxin type A (Botox) injections around the sweat glands. Alternative treatments include psychotherapy, cognitive therapy and relaxation techniques like yoga or meditation.

Edit

Pub: 10 May 2024 06:21 UTC

Views: 30