Physical Symptoms of Anxiety Disorder

While everyone feels anxious at times When anxiety becomes an illness, it can trigger physical symptoms, as well as emotional ones. These include a sense of agitation, muscle tension, stomach issues and more.

A psychologist, psychiatrist, or therapist will use screening tools to determine if you suffer from anxiety disorders. 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

Most people have anxiety from time to time. But that’s different from having an anxiety disorder which is when the feelings are more frequent or do not disappear. Anxiety can also affect your everyday life or cause you to avoid social situations.1

A common physical symptom of anxiety are headaches. They can range from a tension headache2 up to a full-blown, migraine for some people. A lot of people tighten their muscles as part of their fight-or-flight reaction, and holding them in a rigid way for a prolonged period of time could cause pain.

Lightheadedness or dizziness are another symptom of physical anxiety. It can be caused by an increased heart rate, hyperventilating, or a combination of both. It could be a sign you suffer from an illness that is serious, such as heart disease. Consult your physician to find out.

You might be feeling weak, especially in your legs or arms. This could be a sign of anxiety. This is because your nervous system releases cortisol and adrenaline, which helps you respond to a danger by accelerating the heartbeat and preparing your body for a potential attack. In time the hormones can have a negative effect on your health, making you feel weak, shakey or dizzy.

If you are having trouble getting enough sleep because of anxiety, it could make your symptoms worse. Try to relax before bed and follow your routine to sleep better. Exercise is also helpful. Aerobic exercise can release brain chemicals that can reduce stress and improve your mood. It can help you fall asleep easier. Consult your physician If you’re still struggling to sleep.

2. Stomach issues

The body is tense when you are anxious, and if you have chronic anxiety, it could cause constant discomfort. You might experience muscle aches, stomach discomfort or diarrhea. Stress hormones can also impact your digestive system, causing constipation or irritablebowel syndrome.

There are stomach issues that can be experienced with any type of anxiety disorder, but people with panic disorders are more likely to suffer from stomach issues. Panic attacks are sudden sensations of fear or imminent doom that can occur in certain situations or for no reason according to the American Psychiatric Association. You may feel like you’re experiencing a heart attack or that you can’t breathe, and you may experience chest pain or a rapid heartbeat.

Chronic anxiety can anxiety disorders be cured increase your risk of other health problems, too. The hormones that cause anxiety symptoms can help us react to dangers and if we’re on high alert, our immune system can be affected. This could make you more vulnerable to getting the common cold and other diseases.

Your doctor can diagnose anxiety disorders by conducting physical examination and an interview regarding your symptoms. Before diagnosing generalised anxiety disorder, they will determine if there are other causes like thyroid and heart diseases. A mental health professional will also be able to offer you assistance and assist in managing your symptoms. They can teach you relaxation techniques and help you deal with any trauma or negative experience that might have led to anxiety. They can also help you determine the best 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 racing pulse and a hand that is jittery are indications of anxiety. But, they don’t know that chronic muscle tension can be an indication of anxiety disorders such as generalized anxiety disorder social separation anxiety disorder symptoms disorder, panic disorder, and specific fears. If someone is suffering from these symptoms frequently they may lose their range of motion and feel constant discomfort in their neck, back and shoulders.

Tense muscles are a common symptom of anxiety disorder because the body’s fight or flight response triggers a cascade of reactions that result in us physically reacting to perceived threats. These responses are a natural part of our survival instincts, however, they can lead to long-term issues if they’re repeated or occur over a long period of time.

When a real danger is present the adrenal glands produce hormones that increase 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. The increased heart rate can increase the speed of your lungs filling with oxygen. The combination of stress and hyperventilation could make you feel dizzy or lightheaded.

When you have an anxiety disorder, however your body isn’t able to its normal state of relaxation between stress-related responses. You are constantly anxious throughout the day because of the anxiety disorder, and you keep your sympathetic nervous system in high alert. This causes the constant tension of your muscles, which may eventually lead to chronic 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 feel dizzy or off-balance in the event of anxiety. The reason for this has to relate to the nervous system’s response to anxiety. Your body is tense when you think about something that worries or scares you, but then relaxes after the threat has passed. If you experience these symptoms frequently and your anxiety is chronic you could be suffering from an anxiety disorder.

It can be difficult to sleep or concentrate when you’re constantly worried. It also affects your body and may cause you to gain weight, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Anxiety can also have a significant influence on the menstrual cycle. That’s because it can cause you to skip or have irregular menstrual flow because it affects the release of hormones that trigger ovulation, as per the American Psychological Association.

You may be more prone to anxiety if you suffer from high blood pressure or heart issues. It is essential to manage these medical conditions to reduce your risk. If you have these conditions, make sure to tell your therapist.

Other things that can increase the risk of anxiety disorder getting worse are traumatizing experiences, such as being in a car crash or having surgery. A chronic medical condition such as asthma or an ongoing health issue like diabetes can cause anxiety. The good news is that there are treatments that can ease anxiety disorders. Talk therapy or psychotherapy such as cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) can be helpful. CBT teaches you how to transform negative thoughts and behaviors that cause anxiety into positive ones. You can also learn relaxation techniques like meditation and deep breathing. Additionally there are supplements available to relax your mind and body.

5. Sweating

Anxiety is a broad term for a variety of frightening feelings that could make your heart race and your stomach ache, as well as your muscles tense. Sometimes, these symptoms aren’t enough to constitute anxiety disorder–but when they’re chronic and get out of hand. You might also experience chills, sweating and other physical symptoms that cause you to seek medical treatment.

According to the National Institute of Mental Health sweating is a typical physical manifestation of anxiety disorders. When your body’s fight or flight response is activated, it increases the speed of blood circulation to prepare you for fight or escape. The increased 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 could also lead to a feeling of not being breathing or breathe, which is known as dyspnea. It’s a sign that your Anxiety Disorders Diagnosis has become too severe to control.

Your doctor will determine if you have an anxiety disorder by evaluating your symptoms and how they impact your daily routine. They’ll start by asking you about your previous experiences and current concerns. They may also run tests to determine if there are any other health issues that could be causing the symptoms, such as bloodwork and imaging scans. In some instances, they may suggest medications to ease symptoms. These include strong antiperspirants containing aluminium and other drugs that block nerves and Botox injections to treat sweat glands. Alternative treatments include psychotherapy, cognitive behavior therapy, and relaxation techniques such as meditation or yoga.