Physical Symptoms of Anxiety Disorder

Although everyone experiences anxiety from time to time If anxiety develops into an illness, it can trigger physical symptoms as well as emotional ones. These include a sense of agitation, muscle tension, and stomach problems.

A psychiatrist, psychologist, or therapist utilizes screening tools to determine if you have anxiety disorder. They will also ask about your medical history and conduct tests to rule out other medical conditions that could cause similar symptoms.

1. Headaches

The majority of people experience anxiety disorder social occasionally. An anxiety disorder occurs when these feelings are constant or frequent. Anxiety can also interfere with your daily routine or cause you to avoid social situations.1

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

Dizziness or lightheadedness is another symptom of physical anxiety. This could be caused by rapid heart rate, hyperventilating, or a combination. It could also be a sign that you are suffering from an underlying medical condition such as heart disease. Talk to your doctor to determine.

You might be feeling weak in your legs or arms this could be another indication of anxiety. This is because the nervous system releases cortisol and adrenaline, which help you respond to threats by speeding up your heartbeat and preparing your body for an attack. Over time these hormones could have a negative impact on your health, making you feel weak, shakey or dizzy.

You might experience more severe symptoms if you are anxious and have difficulty sleeping. Try to relax before bed and follow a regular routine to sleep better. Exercise can also be beneficial. Exercise can also aid. Talk to your doctor in case you’re having trouble sleeping.

2. Stomach issues

The body is tense in response to anxiety, and if you suffer from chronic anxiety, it could cause constant pain. Your muscles might ache and your stomach may feel a bit sluggish, or you could get diarrhea. Your digestive system may be affected by the constant release of stress hormones which can cause constipation, bloating or IBS.

It is possible to experience stomach problems with any type of anxiety disorder, but people with panic disorders are more likely to have these issues. According to the American Psychiatric Association, panic attacks are sudden, intense feelings or fear of imminent danger. They can happen in specific situations or without a reason. It could feel like you’re having an attack on your heart or you’re not breathing, and you might have chest pain and a fast heartbeat.

Chronic anxiety can increase your risk for other health problems, too. The hormones that trigger anxiety symptoms help us to respond to threats and if we’re on alert, our immune system can be affected. This could make you more prone to contracting the common cold and other illnesses.

Your doctor can diagnose anxiety disorders through a a physical exam and interviewing you about your symptoms. Before diagnosing anxiety, they’ll determine if there are other causes like thyroid and heart diseases. A mental health professional will also be able to provide support and help manage your symptoms. They can also teach relaxation techniques and assist you to overcome any underlying trauma or negative experience that may have caused your anxiety. They can also assist you in locating the best medicine for social anxiety disorder treatment for you. Ask your doctor to refer you to one or look up directories online for an anxiety specialist.

3. Muscle tension

Although most people are aware that a racing heart and hands that are jittery are indicators of anxiety, many people do not realize that chronic tension in the muscles is a indicator of anxiety disorders such as generalized anxiety disorder treatment anxiety disorder (GAD) as well as social anxiety disorder (SAD), panic disorder, or even specific fears. When a person suffers from these symptoms frequently they may lose their range of motion and experience constant pain in the neck, back and shoulders.

Tense muscles are a common manifestation of anxiety disorder since the body’s fight-or-flight response triggers a cascade of bodily reactions that trigger us to physically react to perceived threats. These reactions are a normal part of our survival instincts, but they can cause long-term issues if they’re repeated or over a long period of time.

When there is a real danger the adrenal glands crank out hormones that accelerate the rate at which your heart beats, so that it can pump more blood to the large muscles in your arms and legs in case you have to flee or fight the threat. The increased heart rates also increase the speed at which your lungs fill with oxygen. This combination of increased stress and hyperventilation may make you feel lightheaded or dizzy.

If you suffer from an anxiety disorder, your body is unable to return to its normal state between stress-related responses. Your anxiety disorder causes you to feel constantly anxious, so your sympathetic nervous system remains at a high level of alert. This leads to the continuous tension of your muscles, which may eventually lead to long-term pain, according the American Psychological Association. It can also affect your digestive system, which may cause stomach pain, constipation, diarrhea, or irritable bowel syndrome.

4. Dizziness

You may feel dizzy or out of balance if you are anxious. The reason is to be due to the nervous system’s response to anxiety. Your body tenses up when you think about something that worries or scares you, and then relaxes after the threat has passed. If you experience these symptoms often and your anxiety is persistent it could be that you suffer from an anxiety disorder.

If you’re stressed frequently, it can be hard to focus or get enough sleep. According to the Cleveland Clinic, it can also cause your body to suffer and you may gain weight. Anxiety can also have a major influence on your menstrual cycles. It’s because it could cause you to skip or experience irregular menstrual cycles by affecting the release of ovulation-inducing hormones, according to the American Psychological Association.

You are more prone to anxiety if you suffer from high blood pressure or heart issues. It’s important to control these medical conditions to decrease your risk. If you have these conditions, make sure to inform your therapist.

Traumatic experiences like a car crash or surgery can increase your anxiety risk. Anxiety can be triggered by a chronic illness, such as diabetes or asthma, or a recurring medical illness. There are solutions for anxiety disorders. They include psychotherapy, or talk therapy, like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) that helps you transform negative anxiety-inducing thoughts and behaviors into positive ones. You can also learn relaxation techniques, such as meditation and deep breathing. You can supplement your diet with supplements to relax your body and mind.

5. Sweating

Anxiety is an umbrella term for a variety of daunting feelings that can make your heart race, your stomach upset and your muscles tight. These emotions alone aren’t enough to cause anxiety disorder, but when they become chronic, it could become a problem. You may be experiencing chills, sweating and other physical symptoms that cause you to seek medical attention.

According to the National Institute of Mental Health sweating is a typical physical sign of anxiety disorder medication disorders. When your body’s fight-or flight response begins, it boosts the rate at which your blood circulates to prepare you for fight or escape. This increase in heart rate may make you 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 that you are unable to breathe. It’s an indication that your anxiety has become too intense to manage.

Your healthcare provider will determine if there is an anxiety disorder by looking at your symptoms and how they affect your daily routine. They’ll begin by asking you about your past experiences and your current concerns. They might also conduct tests to identify other health issues that may be causing them, like imaging scans and blood tests. In some cases they may recommend medications to relieve symptoms. These include powerful antiperspirants containing aluminium and other drugs that block nerves, or Botox injections around sweat glands. Alternative treatments include cognitive behavior therapy, psychotherapy, and relaxation techniques like meditation or yoga.