Physical Symptoms of Anxiety Disorder

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

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 perform tests to rule out other health conditions that may cause similar symptoms.

1. Headaches

The majority of people experience anxiety from time to some point. An anxiety disorder is when these feelings are persistent or more frequent. Anxiety can also affect your everyday life or cause you to avoid social situations.1

Headaches are a common physical symptom of anxiety. They can range from tension headache2 up to a full-blown, migraine in some people. This is due to the fact that many people tighten their muscles 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

Lightheadedness or dizziness is another physical sign of anxiety. It can be caused by rapid heart rate, hyperventilating, or the combination types of anxiety disorders 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 might be feeling weak, especially in your legs or arms. This can be a sign of stress. This is because your nervous system releases adrenaline and cortisol which aids in responding to a danger by accelerating the heartbeat and preparing your body for an attack. In time, these hormones could have a negative impact on your health, making you feel weak, shaky or dizzy.

You might experience more severe symptoms if you're anxious and have difficulty sleeping. Try to take a break before bed and stick to an established routine to rest better. Exercise can also be beneficial. Exercise can help. Consult your physician in case you're struggling to sleep.

2. Stomach issues

Anxiety can cause your body to tense up and chronic anxiety may cause pain that persists for a long time. Your muscles may ache and your stomach may feel a bit sluggish, or you could experience diarrhea. Your gastrointestinal system can also be affected by the constant release of stress hormones, and this can lead to constipation, bloating or IBS.

People suffering from panic disorders are at a higher risk of stomach problems. According to the American Psychiatric Association, panic attacks are sudden sensations or fear of imminent danger. They can occur in specific circumstances or without apparent reason. You may feel as if you're experiencing a heart attack or that you are unable to breathe. You may also experience chest pains or a rapid pulse.

Long-term anxiety can also increase your chances of developing other health problems. The hormones responsible for fighting or flight that cause anxiety symptoms aid us in responding to a threat, but if you're in high alert throughout the day your immune system may be affected. This can increase your risk of contracting the common cold, as well as other ailments.

Your doctor can diagnose anxiety disorders by conducting a an examination and talking to you about your symptoms. Before diagnosing anxiety, they'll rule out other causes such as heart disease and thyroid problems. A mental health professional can provide support and assistance to manage your symptoms. They can help you learn relaxation techniques and assist you to deal with any trauma or negative experience that could have triggered your anxiety. They can also assist you to find a treatment option that is suitable for you. Ask your doctor to refer you or search online directories for an anxiety specialist.

3. Muscle tension

Many people are aware that a fast pulse and a jittery hand are indicators of anxiety. But, they don't realize that chronic muscle tension could be a sign of anxiety disorders, such as generalized anxiety disorder home remedies disorder social anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and certain fears. If a person experiences these symptoms regularly they could begin to lose their range of motion and suffer from chronic pain in their back, neck, and shoulders.

Tense muscles may be a sign of anxiety disorders due to the body's fight or flight response triggers a series of bodily reactions that trigger us to physically react when we sense danger. In moderate levels of anxiety, we trigger these responses as part of our survival instincts however, they can also lead to long-term muscle problems when they are frequent or over a long period of time.

If a serious threat is present your adrenal glands pump out hormones that speed up the rate at which your heart beats, so that it can pump more blood to the big muscles in your legs and arms in the event that you need to flee or fight danger. The increased heart rates also increase the speed of your lungs filling up with oxygen. This combination of increased stress and hyperventilation can cause you to feel dizzy or lightheaded.

If you suffer from an anxiety condition your body isn't able to return to its normal resting state between stress responses. You are constantly stressed all the time due to your anxiety disorder, so you keep your sympathetic nervous system in high alert. This causes the constant tensing of your muscles and may eventually lead to chronic pain, according to the American Psychological Association. It can also affect your digestive system, which could cause stomachaches and constipation, diarrhea or irritable bowel syndrome.

4. Dizziness

If you're a stressed-out person, you may often be shaky and unbalanced. The reason for this is to be due to the nervous system's response to anxiety. The body gets tense when you think about something that scares or worries you, and then it relaxes when the threat is gone. If, however, your anxiety is recurring and you experience these symptoms frequently you may be diagnosed with an anxiety disorder.

It can be difficult to fall asleep or concentrate when you are constantly worried. It also wreaks havoc on your body, and could cause you to gain weight, as per the Cleveland Clinic. Anxiety also has a major influence on the 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 are more prone to anxiety if you suffer from high blood pressure or heart problems. It is important to manage these medical conditions to lower your risk. If you're suffering from any of these conditions, make sure to inform your therapist.

Other things that could increase your risk for anxiety are traumatizing experiences, such as being in a car accident or having surgery. A recurring medical condition like asthma or a chronic health issue like diabetes can also create anxiety. There are solutions for anxiety disorders. Psychotherapy or talk therapy like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can be helpful. Cbt For Social Anxiety Disorder teaches you how to change negative thoughts and behaviors that cause anxiety to positive ones. You can also learn how to practice relaxation techniques, like deep breathing or meditation. You can supplement your diet with supplements to relax your mind and body.

5. Sweating

Anxiety is a term that refers to many different feelings that can cause your heart to beat and your stomach to ache and your muscles to get tighter. These emotions alone aren't enough to cause anxiety disorders but when they become chronic, it could become a problem. You might also experience chills, sweating and other physical symptoms which make you seek medical attention.

According to the National Institute of Mental Health The National Institute of Mental Health, sweating is a frequent physical sign of anxiety disorders. 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 increased heart rate could 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.

This imbalance can also cause a feeling of not being breathing properly, which is called dyspnea. This is a sign your anxiety has grown too severe to handle.

Your doctor will determine if you have an anxiety disorder by evaluating your symptoms and how they affect your daily routine. They'll begin by asking you about your experiences in the past and current concerns. They might also conduct tests to identify other health issues that may be causing them, such as bloodwork and imaging scans. In certain instances they may suggest medications to alleviate your symptoms, such as powerful antiperspirants containing aluminium, nerve-blocking drugs for generalized anxiety disorder, or botulinum toxin type A (Botox) injections that target the sweat glands. Alternative treatments include cognitive behavioral therapy, psychotherapy, and relaxation techniques such as yoga or meditation.