Anxiety Disorder Physical Symptoms: The Good, The Bad, And The Ugly
Physical Symptoms of Anxiety Disorder
Although everyone experiences anxiety at times, when anxiety becomes a problem, it can cause physical symptoms, as well as emotional ones. They can be characterized by a feeling tension in the muscles, restlessness and stomach issues.
disorders anxiety , psychologist or therapist will use screening tools to determine whether you suffer from anxiety disorders. They will also inquire about your medical history and run tests to rule other health conditions that may cause similar symptoms.
1. Headaches
Most people feel anxious from time times. But that's different from being diagnosed with an anxiety disorder, which is when the symptoms are more frequent or do not go away. Anxiety can also 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 a tension headache2 all the way to a full-blown, migraine for some people. A lot of people tighten their muscles as part of their fight or flight response, and holding them in a rigid way for a prolonged period of time could cause pain.
Another symptom of anxiety is dizziness or lightheadedness. It could be due to rapid heart rate, hyperventilating or a combination. It can also be a sign of a serious medical problem such as heart disease, so it's crucial to have your heart checked out by your physician.
You might also feel weak in the legs or arms and arms, which could be a sign of anxiety. This is because your nervous system releases adrenaline and cortisol which aids in responding to danger by speeding up the heartbeat and preparing the entire body for an attack. In time these hormones could have a negative impact on your health, causing you feel weak, shakey or dizzy.
You might experience more severe symptoms if your stressed and are having trouble sleeping. Try to relax before bed and follow your routine to get more rest. Exercise can also be helpful. A vigorous aerobic workout can release brain chemicals that can reduce stress and boost your mood. It can help you fall asleep easier. Talk to your doctor in case you're having trouble sleeping.
2. Stomach issues
The body tightens up in response to anxiety and if you suffer from chronic anxiety, it could cause constant pain. There may be muscle aches, stomach discomfort or diarrhea. Your gastrointestinal system can also be affected by the constant release of stress hormones, and this could lead to constipation, bloating, or irritable bowel syndrome.
People with panic disorders have a higher chance of developing stomach problems. Panic attacks are sudden sensations of fear or imminent doom that can occur in certain situations or without explanation according to the American Psychiatric Association. You might feel as if you're having an attack of the heart or that you're unable to breathe, or you might experience chest pain and a rapid heartbeat.
Chronic anxiety can also increase your chances of developing other health problems. The fight-or-flight hormones that cause anxiety symptoms assist us in responding to danger and if you're constantly in high alert all the time your immune system could be affected. This can make you more susceptible to contracting the common cold as well as other ailments.
Your doctor can diagnose anxiety disorders through physical examination and a discussion regarding your symptoms. Before diagnosing anxiety, they'll 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 also teach relaxation techniques and assist you to overcome any underlying trauma or negative experiences that may have caused anxiety. They can also assist you to identify a treatment plan that is suitable for you. Ask your doctor to refer you to one or search online directories for an anxiety specialist.
3. Muscle tension
Although most people are aware that a racing heart and jittery hands are signs of anxiety, many don't know that muscle tension can be a physical indication of anxiety disorders such as generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), social anxiety disorder (SAD) or panic disorder, or even specific fears. If a person is experiencing these symptoms frequently they could lose their mobility and suffer from chronic pain in their neck, back and shoulders.
Tense muscles are a common manifestation of anxiety disorder since the body's fight-or-flight response triggers a chain of reactions that cause us to physically react to perceived threats. Moderate anxiety levels elicit these responses as part of our survival instincts, but they can cause long-term problems with muscles when they are frequent or over a long period of time.
If a serious threat is present, your adrenal glands churn out hormones that speed up how fast your heart beats to ensure it can pump more blood to the big muscles in your legs and arms in the event that you need to flee or fight the threat. The increased heart rate can increase the speed that your lungs fill with oxygen. The combination of stress and hyperventilation can cause you to feel lightheaded or dizzy.
If you have an anxiety disorder, your body is unable to return to its normal state between stress-related responses. Your anxiety disorder makes you feel anxious all the time and your sympathetic nervous system stays on high alert. This leads to the continuous tensing of your muscles and may eventually lead to 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 be shaky and unbalanced. The reason is to be due to the nervous system's response to anxiety. When you are worried or anxious, your body tenses and then it relaxes. If you are experiencing these symptoms often and you feel your anxiety is chronic it could be that you suffer from an anxiety disorder.
If you're stressed often it can be difficult to concentrate or sleep enough. It also wreaks havoc on your body, and could cause you to gain weight, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Anxiety can also have an impact on your menstrual cycle. This is because it can cause you to miss or experience irregular menstrual cycles by affecting the release of hormones that trigger ovulation, as per the American Psychological Association.
You can be more susceptible to anxiety if you have high blood pressure or heart problems. It's important to control these medical conditions to reduce your risk. Tell your therapist if you are suffering from any of the following conditions.
Other things that can increase your risk for anxiety are traumatic events, such as being in a car crash or having surgery. A chronic medical condition, such as asthma or an ongoing health issue, such as diabetes, can create anxiety. There are solutions for anxiety disorders. Psychotherapy or talk therapy such as cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) can aid. CBT teaches you how to change negative thoughts and behaviors that cause anxiety to positive ones. You can also learn how to use relaxation techniques like meditation or deep breathing. Additionally there are supplements that you can take to help calm your body and mind.
5. Sweating
Anxiety is a term that encompasses an array of emotions that can cause your heart to race, your stomach to upset and your muscles to become tight. These emotions alone aren't enough to cause anxiety disorders, but when they become chronic, it could be a problem. There are also sweating, chills or other physical symptoms that require medical help.
Sweating is a typical physical sign of anxiety disorders, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. When your body's fight or flight response is activated, it increases the rate that your blood circulates to prepare you for battle or escape. This increase in heart rate can cause you to feel exhausted and dizzy. 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 can cause a feeling of not being breathing properly or breathe, which is known as dyspnea. This could be a sign that your anxiety has become too intense to manage.
Your healthcare provider will assess you for an anxiety disorder by looking at your symptoms and the way they interfere with your daily life. They'll start by asking you about your previous experiences and current concerns. They may also conduct tests to determine if there are any other health issues that could be causing them, like imaging scans and blood tests. In some instances they may suggest medications to alleviate your symptoms, including strong antiperspirants made of aluminium, nerve blocker medications or botulinum toxins type A (Botox) injections around the sweat glands. Alternative treatments include psychotherapy, cognitive behavioral therapy and relaxation techniques such as yoga or meditation.