Physical Symptoms of Anxiety Disorder
Everyone experiences anxiety at times however when anxiety turns into a problem, it can cause physical as well as emotional symptoms. They can be characterized by a feeling tension in the muscles, restlessness and stomach issues.
A psychologist, psychiatrist, or therapist uses screening tools to determine whether you suffer from anxiety disorders. They will also ask about your medical history and run tests to rule other medical conditions that could cause similar symptoms.
1. Headaches
Most people feel anxious from time time. An anxiety disorder is when these feelings are persistent or more frequent. Anxiety can also interfere with your daily life or cause you to avoid social situations.1
Headaches are a typical physical symptom that is associated with anxiety. They can range from an normal tension headache2 up to a full-blown migraine in some people. Many people tighten their muscles in a fight or flight response, and holding them in a rigid position for a long time can cause pain.
Lightheadedness or dizziness is another physical sign of anxiety. This can be caused by rapid heart rate, hyperventilating, or the combination of both. It could be a sign you are suffering from an underlying medical condition such as heart disease. Talk to your doctor to determine.
You may also feel weak, especially in your arms or legs. This could be a sign of anxiety. This is because your nervous system releases cortisol and adrenaline which aids in responding to a danger by accelerating the heartbeat and preparing the entire body for a potential attack. Over time, however, those hormones can have a negative effect on your health, and may cause you to feel weak, shaky and weak or dizzy.
If you're having difficulty getting enough rest due to anxiety, it can make your symptoms worse. Try to take a break before bed and stick to your routine so that you can sleep better. Exercise can also be beneficial. Exercise can also aid. If you're still having difficulty sleeping, speak to your doctor about treatment options.
2. Stomach issues
The body tenses up when you are anxious, and if you suffer from chronic anxiety, it could result in persistent pain. You might experience stomach discomfort, muscle pain or diarrhea. The digestive system of your body can be affected by the constant release of stress hormones, and this can lead to constipation, bloating, or irritable bowel syndrome.
People with panic disorders have greater risk of stomach problems. According to the American Psychiatric Association, panic attacks are sudden feelings or a fear of imminent doom. They can occur in certain situations or without a reason. It could feel like you are having a heartattack or that you are unable to breathe. You may also experience chest pains, and a rapid pulse.
Long-term anxiety can increase your risk for other health issues, too. The hormones that cause anxiety symptoms allow us to respond to threats, but if we're constantly alert our immune system could be affected. This can make you more vulnerable to catching the common cold as well as other illnesses.
Your doctor can diagnose anxiety disorders by conducting physical examination and a conversation about your symptoms. Before diagnosing anxiety, they will rule out other causes like heart disease and thyroid problems. A mental health professional will be able to offer you support and help manage your symptoms. They can assist you in learning relaxation techniques and help you work through any negative or traumatic experiences that may have caused your anxiety. They can also assist you to find a treatment option that is suitable for you. Ask your doctor to refer you, or look up directories online for an anxiety specialist.
3. Muscle tension
Many people are aware that a fast pulse and a hand that is jittery are indications of anxiety. But, they don't realize that chronic muscle tension could be a sign of anxiety disorders like generalized anxiety disorder social anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and specific phobias. If someone is experiencing these symptoms on a regular basis, they can lose their mobility and feel constant discomfort in their back, neck and shoulders.
Tense muscles are a typical sign of anxiety disorders because the body's fight-or-flight response triggers a chain of responses that result in us physically reacting to perceived threats. In moderate levels of anxiety, we trigger these responses as part of our instinctual survival instinct however, they can cause long-term muscle issues when they happen frequently or over a long period of time.
If a real risk is present the adrenal glands produce hormones that speed up the rate of your heartbeat, so that more blood is pumped to your large muscles in your legs or arms in the event that you have to flee or fight. The increased heart rates also increase the speed at which your lungs fill up with oxygen. The combination of stress and hyperventilation can make you feel lightheaded or dizzy.
If you suffer from an anxiety disorder, however your body isn't able to return to its normal state of rest between stress reactions. You feel anxious throughout the day because of your anxiety disorder, which is why you keep your sympathetic nervous system on alert. This leads to the chronic tensing of your muscles and may eventually lead to long-term pain, according to the American Psychological Association. It can also affect your digestive system, causing stomachaches constipation, diarrhea or irritable-bowel syndrome.
4. Dizziness
You may be shaky or unbalanced in the event of anxiety. This is due to the nervous system's response to anxiety. When you are worried or worried your body begins to tense and then relaxes. If you are experiencing these symptoms often and you feel your anxiety is chronic you could be suffering from an anxiety disorder.
It can be difficult to sleep or focus when you are constantly worried. According to the Cleveland Clinic, it can also cause your body to suffer and you could gain weight. Anxiety also has a big impact on your menstrual cycle. According to the American Psychological Association, anxiety can cause you to skip your menstrual cycle or experience irregular menstrual cycles by affecting hormones that induce the ovulation.
Having high blood pressure or heart disease can increase your risk of anxiety, and it's essential to get these medical problems under control to lower your risk. Talk to your therapist if have any of these conditions.
Other factors that increase your risk for anxiety are traumatic experiences like being in a car accident or having surgery. A chronic medical condition such as asthma or chronic health issues, such as diabetes, can also cause anxiety. There are solutions for anxiety disorders. They include psychotherapy or talk therapy, like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) which helps you turn negative anxiety-inducing thoughts and behaviors into positive ones. You can also learn relaxation techniques, such as meditation and deep breathing. In addition there are supplements available to calm your mind and body.
5. Sweating
Anxiety is a term that refers to many different feelings that can cause your heart rate to rise and your stomach to ache and your muscles to get tighter. Sometimes, these symptoms aren't enough to cause anxiety disorder, but when they're ongoing, they can become out of control. You may also experience sweating, chills and other physical symptoms that prompt you to seek medical help.
Sweating is a typical physical manifestation of anxiety disorders according to the National Institute of Mental Health. When your body's "fight-or-flight" response kicks in, it increases your blood circulation rate to prepare you for combat. This increase in heart rate could cause you to feel dizzy or out of breath. 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 a feeling that you are unable to breathe. It's a sign that your anxiety is becoming too intense to manage.
Your doctor will test you for an anxiety disorder in light of your symptoms and the way they interfere with your daily activities. They'll begin by asking about your experiences in the past and your current concerns. They may also conduct tests to determine if you have any other health issues that could be contributing to your symptoms, like bloodwork and imaging scanners. In some cases they may prescribe medications to alleviate your symptoms. These include powerful antiperspirants with aluminium in them and other drugs that block nerves, or Botox injections around sweat glands. Alternative treatments include cognitive behavioral therapy, psychotherapy and relaxation techniques such as yoga or meditation.