Physical Symptoms of Anxiety Disorder

Everyone experiences anxiety from time to time, when anxiety becomes a disorder it can cause physical symptoms as well as emotional ones. This can include a feeling of anxiety, muscle tension and stomach issues.

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

1. Headaches

Many people feel anxious occasionally. An anxiety disorder occurs when these feelings become persistent or more frequent. Anxiety can affect your daily life or cause you to avoid social situations.1

Headaches are a typical physical symptom of anxiety. They can range from tension headache2 all the way to a full-blown migraine for some people. This is due to the fact that many people tighten their muscles as part of their fight-or-flight response and securing those muscles rigidly for long periods of time can lead to pain.3

Dizziness or lightheadedness is another symptom of physical anxiety. This can be due to an increased heart rate, hyperventilating or a combination. It could also be a sign that you suffer from a serious medical condition like heart disease. Consult your doctor to determine.

You might be feeling weak in your arms or legs this could be another indication of anxiety. This is because your nervous system releases adrenaline and cortisol which help you react to a danger by speeding up your heartbeat and preparing your entire body for a potential attack. In time, however, those hormones can have the opposite impact on your health and could cause you to feel shakey or weak. You may also feel dizzy, weak, or weak.

You may experience worse symptoms if your stressed and are having trouble sleeping. Try to relax before bed and follow an established routine to get more rest. Exercise can also be helpful. Aerobic exercise can release brain chemicals that reduce stress and improve your mood. It can help you fall asleep easier. Talk to your doctor in case you’re struggling to sleep.

2. Stomach issues

The body is tense when you are anxious, and if you suffer from chronic anxiety disorder medication list, it could result in persistent discomfort. There may be muscle aches, stomach discomfort or diarrhea. Stress hormones can affect your digestive system, leading to constipation or irritable bowel syndrome.

People suffering from panic disorders are at greater risk of having stomach issues. Panic attacks are sudden feelings of fear or imminent doom that happen in specific circumstances or for no reason according to the American Psychiatric Association. You might feel as if you’re having a heart attack or that you cannot breathe. You may also experience chest pains, and a rapid pulse.

Chronic anxiety can increase the risk of other health problems. The hormones that trigger anxiety symptoms help us to respond to threats and if we’re alert our immune system may be affected. This can make you more susceptible to catching the common cold and other illnesses.

Your doctor can diagnose anxiety disorders by conducting a an examination of your body and asking you about your symptoms. They can rule out other reasons, such as thyroid issues or heart disease, before diagnosing you with anxiety. A mental health professional will also be able to offer you assistance and support in managing your symptoms. They can help you learn relaxation techniques and help you deal with any trauma or negative experience that may have caused anxiety. They can also assist you to determine the best treatment option that is appropriate for you. Ask your doctor for a referral or look up online directories of therapists to find an anxiety specialist.

3. Muscle tension

Many people are aware that a twitchy pulse and a hand that is jittery are indications of anxiety. However, they don’t realize that chronic muscle tension could be an indication of anxiety disorders, such as generalized anxiety disorder medication anxiety disorder brain disorder social separation anxiety disorder treatments disorder, panic disorder, and even specific phobias. If someone is suffering from these symptoms frequently, they can lose their range of motion and feel constant discomfort 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 range of reactions which cause us to physically react when we perceive threats. These responses are a natural part of our survival instincts however, they can lead to long-term problems if they are repeated over a long time.

If a real risk is present your adrenal glands release hormones that increase the speed of your heartbeat so that more blood can be pumped to your large muscles in your arms or legs in the event that you need to run away or fight. These increased heart rates also increase the rate at which your lungs fill with oxygen. The combination of increased tension and hyperventilation could make you feel dizzy or lightheaded.

If you suffer from an anxiety disorder, your body isn’t able to return to its normal state of rest between stress responses. Your anxiety disorder causes you to feel constantly anxious, so your sympathetic nervous system is on high alert. According to the American Psychological Association, this could lead to chronic muscle tension and lasting pain. It can also affect your digestive system, which may cause stomach pain, constipation, diarrhea, or irritable bowel syndrome.

4. Dizziness

If you’re an anxious person, you may often feel dizzy and off balance. This is due to the nervous system’s response to anxiety. Your body is tense whenever you think about something that worries or scares you, but then relaxes once the threat passes. However, if your anxiety is recurring and you experience these symptoms regularly you could be diagnosed with an anxiety disorder.

When you’re worried on a regular basis it can be difficult to concentrate or get enough sleep. It also wreaks havoc on your body and can cause you to gain weight, per the Cleveland Clinic. Anxiety also has a major effect on your menstrual cycle. That’s because it can cause you to miss or have irregular periods due to the inability to release ovulation-inducing hormones, according to the American Psychological Association.

A high blood pressure or heart disease can make you more prone to anxiety, so it’s important to get these medical issues under control to reduce your risk. Tell your therapist if you suffer from any of these ailments.

Other things that can increase your risk for anxiety are traumatic events, such as being in a car crash or having surgery. A recurring medical condition like asthma or a chronic health issue, such as diabetes, can create anxiety. The good news is that there are solutions which can alleviate anxiety disorders. They include psychotherapy, or talk therapy, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) that helps you turn negative thoughts and behaviors that trigger anxiety into positive ones. You can also learn to practice relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing or meditation. You can also take supplements to calm your mind and body.

5. Sweating

Anxiety is a broad term for a range of daunting feelings that can cause your heart to beat and your stomach turn a bit upset, and your muscles tight. Sometimes, these symptoms don’t constitute an anxiety disorder, but when they’re ongoing and become out of control. There are also sweating, chills or other physical symptoms that prompt you to seek medical help.

Sweating is a common physical symptom of anxiety disorders, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. When your body’s “fight-or-flight” response kicks in, it increases the rate of blood circulation to prepare you for combat. This increase in heart rate can 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 refers to a feeling that you are unable to breathe. This is a sign that your anxiety has grown too severe to handle.

Your healthcare provider will assess you for an anxiety disorder based on your reported symptoms and the way they impact your daily activities. You’ll be asked about your previous experiences as well as current concerns. They may also conduct tests to check for other health problems that could be causing your symptoms, such as bloodwork and imaging scanners. In certain instances, they might recommend medications to alleviate your symptoms, such as powerful antiperspirants that contain aluminium, nerve-blocking medications or botulinum toxins type A (Botox) injections around the sweat glands. Alternative treatments include psychotherapy, cognitive behavioral therapy and relaxation techniques like yoga or meditation.