What Is The Heck What Is Anxiety Disorder Physical Symptoms

Physical Symptoms of Anxiety Disorder

Everyone feels anxious at times, but when anxiety becomes an illness, it can trigger physical and emotional symptoms. They can be characterized by a feeling anxiety, muscle tension and stomach issues.

A psychologist, psychiatrist or therapist will use screening tools to determine whether you suffer from an anxiety disorder. They will also inquire about your medical history and conduct tests to rule out other medical conditions that could cause similar symptoms.

1. Headaches

Many people have anxiety from time to time. An anxiety disorder occurs when these symptoms are persistent or more frequent. Anxiety can affect your everyday life or cause you to avoid social situations.1

Headaches are a typical physical symptom of anxiety. They can range from an normal tension headache2 up to a complete migraine in a few people. This is because many people tense their bodies as part of the fight-or-flight response, and holding those muscles in a rigid position for long periods of time can lead to pain.3

Another physical sign of anxiety is lightheadedness or dizziness. It can be caused by an increased heart rate, hyperventilating or an amalgamation of both. It could also be a sign that you suffer from an illness that is serious, such as heart disease. Consult your physician to determine.

You may also feel weak, particularly in your arms or legs. This can be a sign of anxiety. This is because your nervous system releases adrenaline and cortisol which aids in responding to a danger by speeding up the heartbeat and preparing your body for a potential attack. However, over time, those hormones may have a negative impact on your health and could cause you to feel shakey and weak or dizzy.

You may experience worse symptoms if your stressed and having difficulty sleeping. Try to unwind before bed and adhere to a regular routine to rest better. Exercise is also helpful. Exercise can also help. Talk to your doctor in case you're having trouble sleeping.

2. Stomach problems

The body tenses up in response to anxiety, and if you have chronic anxiety it can cause constant discomfort. Your muscles might ache, your stomach can be irritable, or you may develop diarrhea. Stress hormones can affect your digestive system, leading to constipation or irritable bowel syndrome.

People with panic disorders have a higher risk of stomach problems. Panic attacks are sudden, intense feelings of terror or impending doom that happen in specific circumstances or without explanation, according to the American Psychiatric Association. You might feel as if you're experiencing an attack on your heart or you're not breathing, and you may experience chest pain and a fast heartbeat.

Long-term anxiety can increase your risk for other health issues, too. The hormones responsible for fighting or flight that cause anxiety symptoms aid us in responding to threats however, if you're on high alert throughout the day your immune system may suffer. This could make you more vulnerable to getting the common cold and other ailments.

Your doctor can diagnose anxiety disorders by doing an examination of your body and asking you about your symptoms. Before diagnosing anxiety, they will rule out other causes, such as thyroid and heart diseases. A mental health professional can also provide assistance and support to manage your symptoms. They can assist you in learning techniques for relaxation and work through any traumas or negative experiences which could have triggered your anxiety. They can also help you in locating the best treatment for you. Ask your doctor for a referral or browse online therapist directories to locate a specialist in anxiety.

3. Muscle tension

Many people are aware that a fast pulse and a jittery hand are indicators of anxiety. However, they do not realize that muscle tension could be an indication of anxiety disorders like generalized anxiety disorder or social anxiety disorder panic disorder, and specific phobias. When a person suffers from these symptoms frequently, they may begin to lose their range of motion and suffer from constant pain in the back, neck and shoulders.

Tense muscles are a typical symptom of anxiety disorder because the body's fight or flight response triggers a cascade of responses that trigger us to physically react to perceived threats. In moderate levels of anxiety, we trigger these reactions as part of our survival instincts however, they can also cause long-term muscle issues when they happen frequently or over a long period of time.

If a serious threat is present, your adrenal glands churn out hormones that increase the speed at which your heart beats, so that it can pump more blood to the massive muscles in your legs and arms in case you have to escape or fight the danger. These increased heart rates also increase the speed at which your lungs fill with oxygen. The combination of stress and hyperventilation can make you feel lightheaded or dizzy.

If you suffer from an anxiety disorder,, your body can't return to its normal state of rest between stress reactions. You are constantly anxious all the while because of the anxiety disorder, and you keep your sympathetic nervous system on high alert. This causes the constant tension in your muscles that could eventually result in long-term pain, according the American Psychological Association. 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 might feel dizzy and off balance. This is due to the nervous system's response to anxiety. The body gets tense when you think about something that worries or scares you, but then relaxes once the threat passes. If, however, your anxiety is chronic and you experience these symptoms frequently you may be diagnosed with an anxiety disorder.

When you're worried often, it can be hard to concentrate or sleep enough. It also affects your body and may cause you to gain weight, per the Cleveland Clinic. Anxiety also has a major effect on your menstrual cycle. It's because it could cause you to miss or experience irregular menstrual cycles because it affects the release of hormones that trigger ovulation, as per the American Psychological Association.

Having high blood pressure or heart disease may make you more susceptible to anxiety, which is why it's crucial to get these medical issues under control to reduce your risk. If you suffer from these conditions, make sure to tell your therapist.

Experiences that are traumatizing, such as a car crash or surgery can increase the risk of anxiety. A recurring medical condition like asthma or a chronic health issue, such as diabetes, can also cause anxiety. The good news is that there are treatments that can ease anxiety issues. Talk therapy or psychotherapy such as cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) can help. CBT teaches you how to change negative thoughts and behaviors that trigger anxiety to positive ones. You can also learn relaxation techniques such as deep breathing and meditation. You can also take supplements to help calm your body and mind.

5. Sweating

Anxiety is a term that refers to an array of emotions that can cause your heart to race and your stomach to ache and your muscles to become tight. Oftentimes, these feelings don't constitute an anxiety disorder, but when they're ongoing they can become out of control. You might also experience chills, sweating and other physical symptoms that prompt you to seek medical attention.

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, sweating is a common physical sign of anxiety disorders. When your body's "fight-or-flight" response kicks in, it boosts your blood circulation rate to prepare you for the fight. This increased heart rate can cause you to feel dizzy or 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. This could be a sign that your anxiety has become too intense to handle.

Your doctor will test you for an anxiety disorder in light of your symptoms and the way they impact your daily activities. They'll begin by asking about your previous experiences and your current concerns. They may also conduct tests to check for other health issues that could be causing your symptoms, like bloodwork and imaging scanners. In certain instances, they might suggest medications to ease your symptoms. They can recommend strong antiperspirants that contain aluminium, drugs that block nerves and Botox injections to treat sweat glands. Alternative treatments include psychotherapy, cognitive behavior therapy and relaxation techniques like meditation or yoga.

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Pub: 14 May 2024 06:28 UTC
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