Anxiety Disorder Physical Symptoms: The Good, The Bad, And The Ugly
Physical Symptoms of Anxiety Disorder
Everyone feels anxious at times however when anxiety turns into a problem, it can cause physical as well as emotional symptoms. These include a feeling of anxiety, muscle tension and stomach issues.
A psychiatrist, psychologist or therapist will use screening tools to determine whether you have an anxiety disorder. They will also ask about your medical history, and will run tests to rule out other medical conditions that could cause similar symptoms.
1. Headaches
Many people feel anxious occasionally. But it's not the same as having an anxiety disorder, that is, when the feelings are more frequent or do not go away. Anxiety can also affect your daily routine and cause you to avoid social situations.
A common physical symptom of anxiety is headaches. They can range from an normal tension headache2 up to a complete migraine in a few people. A lot of people tighten their muscles as part of their fight-or-flight reaction, and holding them in a rigid position for a long time could cause pain.
Lightheadedness or dizziness is another symptom of physical anxiety. It could be due to a rapid heart rate, hyperventilating or an amalgamation of the two. It can also be an indication of a serious medical condition like heart disease, so it is important to be examined by your physician.
You may also feel weak in the legs or arms this could be another sign of anxiety. This is because your nervous system releases adrenaline and cortisol which aids in responding to a threat by speeding up the heartbeat and preparing the entire body for a potential attack. Over time, however, those hormones can have the opposite effect on your health, and may cause you to feel weak, shaky, weak, or dizzy.
You may experience worse symptoms if you're stressed and are having trouble sleeping. Try to take a break before bed and stick to your routine so that you can get more rest. Exercise can also be beneficial. A vigorous aerobic workout can release brain chemicals that cut stress and improve your mood, and it can help you fall asleep easier. Talk to your doctor If you're still struggling to sleep.
2. Stomach issues
The body tightens up in response to anxiety and if you have chronic anxiety it can cause constant discomfort. Your muscles could hurt, your stomach can feel off or you can get diarrhea. Stress hormones can also impact your gastrointestinal system, leading to constipation or irritablebowel syndrome.
People who suffer from panic disorders are at greater chance of developing stomach problems. Panic attacks are sudden, intense feelings of fear or imminent doom that happen in specific circumstances or for no reason, according to the American Psychiatric Association. You might feel as if you're experiencing an attack of the heart or that you're not breathing, and you might have chest pain and a fast heartbeat.
Chronic anxiety can increase your risk of developing other health issues. The hormones that cause anxiety symptoms help us to respond to threats however, if we're always alert, our immune system can be affected. This could make you more vulnerable to catching the common cold as well as other ailments.
Your doctor can diagnose anxiety disorders by doing an examination of your body and asking you about your symptoms. They will rule out other causes, like thyroid or heart problems, before diagnosing you with anxiety. A mental health professional can also provide assistance and support to manage your symptoms. They can also teach relaxation techniques and help you overcome any underlying trauma or negative experience that may have caused 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
While the majority of people know that a racing heart and hands that are jittery are indicators of anxiety, a lot of people don't realize that tension in the muscles is a indicator of anxiety disorders such as generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) as well as social anxiety disorder (SAD) or panic disorder, or even specific phobias. If someone is experiencing these symptoms regularly they could lose their range of motion and feel constant discomfort in their back, neck and shoulders.
Tense muscles are a sign of anxiety disorders due to the body's fight or flight response triggers a sequence of bodily reactions that cause us to physically react when we feel threatened. In moderate levels of anxiety, we trigger these responses as part of our natural survival instinct however, they can cause long-term muscle issues when they occur regularly or over a long period of time.
If a risk is present, your adrenal glands produce hormones that boost the speed of your heartbeat to ensure that more blood can be pumped to the muscles of your arms or legs in the event that you need to run away or fight. These increased heart rates also increase the speed at which your lungs fill with oxygen. The combination of increased stress and hyperventilation can make you feel dizzy or lightheaded.
If you suffer from an anxiety disorder your body is unable to return to its normal state between stress reactions. Your anxiety disorder causes you to feel constantly anxious, so your sympathetic nervous system remains in high alert. This leads to the continuous tensing of your muscles and can eventually cause long-term pain, according to the American Psychological Association. It can also affect your digestive system, which can cause stomach pain, constipation, diarrhea, or irritable bowel syndrome.
4. Dizziness
If you're a person who is anxious you might feel dizzy and off balance. This is due to the nervous system's response to anxiety. If you are stressed or anxious, your body tenses and then it relaxes. If you experience these symptoms often and you feel your anxiety is persistent, you may have an anxiety disorder.
It can be difficult to sleep or focus when you are always worried. According to the Cleveland Clinic, it can also cause your body to suffer and you could gain weight. Anxiety can also have a significant impact on your menstrual cycles. This is because it can cause you to skip or experience irregular menstrual cycles by affecting the release of hormones that trigger ovulation, as per the American Psychological Association.
panic anxiety disorder or heart disease could make you more prone to anxiety, which is why it's crucial to get these medical issues under control to reduce your risk. Talk to your therapist if have any of these conditions.
Other things that can increase your risk for anxiety are traumatic events, such as being in a car accident or having surgery. Anxiety can be triggered by chronic illnesses, like asthma or diabetes or a chronic medical condition. There are solutions for anxiety disorders. Psychotherapy or talk therapy such as cognitive behavioral treatment (CBT) can aid. CBT teaches you how to transform negative behavior patterns and thoughts that cause anxiety to positive ones. You can also learn relaxation techniques like meditation and deep breathing. In addition, there are supplements you can take to calm your mind and body.
5. Sweating
Anxiety is an umbrella term for a variety of daunting feelings that can cause your heart to beat and your stomach ache, as well as your muscles tense. These emotions alone aren't enough to trigger anxiety disorder, but when they become chronic, it could cause problems. You might also experience chills, sweating and other physical symptoms which prompt you to seek medical assistance.
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 the fight. This increase in heart rate could cause you to feel faint or 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.
Dyspnea is the feeling of not breathing. It's an indication that your anxiety has become too overwhelming to manage.
Your doctor will determine if there is anxiety disorders by analyzing your symptoms and how they impact your daily routine. You'll be asked about previous experiences and current concerns. They may also conduct tests to determine if there are any other health issues that may be causing them, such as bloodwork and imaging scans. In some instances they may suggest medications to help ease your symptoms, such as strong antiperspirants made of aluminium, nerve blocker drugs or botulinum toxin type A (Botox) injections around the sweat glands. Alternative treatments include psychotherapy, cognitive behavior therapy, and relaxation techniques such as yoga or meditation.