Physical Symptoms of anxiety disorders description Disorder

Everyone experiences anxiety at times, when anxiety becomes an illness, it can trigger physical symptoms as well as emotional ones. These include a feeling of anxiety, muscle tension and stomach problems.

A psychologist, psychiatrist or therapist will use screening tools to determine if you have an anxiety disorder. They will also inquire about your medical history and run tests to rule other health conditions that may cause similar symptoms.

1. Headaches

The majority of people feel anxious from time times. An anxiety disorder occurs when these feelings become persistent or more frequent. anxiety disorders description can affect your everyday life or cause you to avoid social situations.1

Headaches are a typical physical symptom associated with anxiety. They can range from tension headache2 all the way to a full-blown migraine in some individuals. This is because a lot of people tighten their muscles in response to the fight or flight response and securing those muscles for prolonged periods of time can lead to pain.3

Another physical sign of anxiety disorders quiz is dizziness or lightheadedness. It could be due to an increased heart rate, hyperventilating, or a combination. It could be a sign you suffer from a serious medical condition like heart disease. Talk to your doctor to find out.

You may also feel weak, especially in your arms or legs. This could be a sign of anxiety. This is because the nervous system releases adrenaline and cortisol which aid in responding to a threat by increasing your heart rate and preparing your body for a potential attack. Over time these hormones can have a negative impact on your health, causing you feel weak, shaky or dizzy.

There are times when you may experience more symptoms if your stressed and are having trouble sleeping. Try to relax before bed and follow a regular routine so that you can sleep better. Exercise can also be beneficial. Brisk aerobic activity can release brain chemicals that reduce stress and improve your mood. It can help you fall asleep easier. Talk to your doctor if you are still having trouble sleeping.

2. Stomach issues

The body tenses up in response to anxiety and if you suffer from chronic anxiety, it can cause constant discomfort. You may experience stomach pain, muscle aches or diarrhea. The digestive system of your body can be affected by the constant release of stress hormones and this could lead to constipation, bloating, or irritable bowel syndrome.

You can experience stomach issues with any type of anxiety disorder, but people who suffer from panic disorders are more likely to have them. Panic attacks are sudden sensations of terror or impending doom that happen in specific circumstances or for no apparent reason, according to the American Psychiatric Association. You might feel as if you’re experiencing an attack on your heart or you’re unable to breathe, or you may experience chest pain and a fast heartbeat.

Long-term anxiety can also increase your risk of developing other health issues. The hormones responsible for fighting or flight that cause the symptoms of anxiety help us respond to a threat however, if you’re in high alert all the time your immune system may suffer. This could make you more susceptible to getting the common cold and other illnesses.

Your doctor is able to diagnose anxiety disorders with a physical examination and a discussion regarding your symptoms. Before diagnosing anxiety, they’ll determine if there are other causes such as thyroid and heart diseases. A mental health professional can provide support and assistance to manage your symptoms. They can teach you relaxation techniques and help you deal with any trauma or negative experiences that could have triggered anxiety. They can also assist you to identify a treatment plan that is suitable for you. Ask your doctor to refer you, or search online directories for an anxiety specialist.

3. Muscle tension

While the majority of people know that a racing heart and hands that are jittery are indicators of anxiety, many don’t know that tension in the muscles is a sign of anxiety disorders like generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) as well as social anxiety disorder (SAD), panic disorder, or specific fears. If someone suffers from these symptoms frequently they may lose their range of motion and experience chronic pain in their neck, back and shoulders.

Tense muscles can be a sign of anxiety disorders as the body’s fight or flight response triggers a series of reactions which result in us physically reacting when we perceive threats. These responses are a natural part of our survival instincts however, they can cause long-term issues if they’re repeated or over a long time.

If a serious threat is present, your adrenal glands churn out hormones that accelerate the rate at which your heart beats to ensure it can pump more blood to the big muscles in your legs and arms in case you have to escape or fight the danger. The increased heart rate can increase the speed at which your lungs fill with oxygen. This combination of heightened tension and hyperventilation could make you feel dizzy or lightheaded.

If you have an anxiety condition, your body is unable to return to its normal resting state between stress responses. The anxiety disorder makes you be constantly anxious, so your sympathetic nervous system stays on high alert. This causes the constant tension in your muscles that could eventually result in long-term pain, according to the American Psychological Association. It can also affect the digestive system, causing stomachaches, diarrhea, constipation or irritable-bowel syndrome.

4. Dizziness

You may feel dizzy or out of balance when you are stressed. This is because of the nervous system’s response to anxiety. When you are worried or scared your body tightens and then relaxes. If, however, your anxiety is persistent and you experience these symptoms frequently you may be diagnosed with an anxiety disorder.

If you’re stressed often, 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 could gain weight. Anxiety can also have a major impact on your menstrual cycles. That’s because it can cause you to miss or experience irregular menstrual cycles by affecting the release of ovulation-inducing hormones, according to the American Psychological Association.

You can be more susceptible to anxiety if you have 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 like being in a car accident or having surgery. A chronic medical condition such as asthma or a chronic health issue like diabetes can also trigger anxiety. There are treatment options for anxiety disorders. Psychotherapy or talk therapy such as cognitive behavioral treatment (CBT) can aid. CBT teaches you how to deal with anxiety disorder without medication to change negative behavior patterns and thoughts that cause anxiety 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 whole cluster of threatening feelings that can cause your heart to beat and your stomach ache, as well as your muscles tense. These feelings alone are not enough to cause anxiety disorder however, when they become chronic, they can become a problem. You may also experience chills, sweating and other physical symptoms that require medical attention.

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, sweating is a common physical manifestation of anxiety disorders. When your body’s fight or flight response kicks in, it increases the speed at which your blood circulates to prepare you for battle or escape. This increase in heart rate may make you 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 best medicine for social anxiety disorder.

This imbalance could cause an uneasy feeling that you are not breathing and is known as dyspnea. It’s a sign that your anxiety has become too severe to control.

Your doctor will evaluate your anxiety disorders in light of your symptoms and the way they affect your daily life. They’ll start by asking you about your past experiences and your current concerns. They might also conduct tests to look for other health issues that could be causing them, such as imaging scans and blood tests. In some cases, they might recommend medications to ease your symptoms, including strong antiperspirants that contain aluminium, nerve-blocking drugs or botulinum toxin type A (Botox) injections in the sweat glands. Alternative treatments include cognitive behavior therapy, psychotherapy, and relaxation techniques like yoga or meditation.