This Week's Most Popular Stories About Anxiety Disorder Physical Symptoms
Physical Symptoms of Anxiety Disorder
Everyone feels anxious at times however when anxiety turns into a problem, it can cause physical as well as emotional symptoms. They can be characterized by a feeling of restlessness, muscular tension and stomach issues.
A psychiatrist, psychologist or therapist will employ screening tools to determine if you suffer from an anxiety disorder. They will also ask you about your medical history and run tests to rule out other medical conditions that could cause similar symptoms.
1. Headaches
The majority of people experience anxiety occasionally. However, this is different from having an anxiety disorder, that is, when the feelings are more frequent or don't go away. Anxiety can also impact your daily routine and make it difficult to participate in social situations.
Headaches are a common physical symptom of anxiety. They can range from tension headache2 all the way to a complete migraine for some people. This is because many people tighten their muscles as part of the fight-or-flight response and securing those muscles for prolonged periods of time can cause pain.3
Lightheadedness or dizziness is another symptom of physical anxiety. This could be caused by a rapid heart rate, hyperventilating, or an amalgamation of the two. It could be a sign you have an underlying medical condition such as heart disease. Consult your doctor to find out.
You may also feel weak in your arms or legs, which can be another sign of anxiety. This is because your nervous system releases cortisol and adrenaline which help you react to danger by accelerating the heartbeat and preparing your entire body for a potential attack. Over time the hormones can have a negative impact on your health, causing you feel weak, shakey or dizzy.
There are times when you may experience more symptoms if you're anxious and have difficulty sleeping. Try to unwind before bed and adhere to a regular routine so that you can get more rest. Exercise can also be beneficial. Exercise can help. Consult your physician if you are still struggling to sleep.
2. Stomach problems
The body tenses up when you are anxious, and if you have chronic anxiety it can cause constant discomfort. There may be stomach pain, muscle aches or diarrhea. Your digestive system may be affected by the constant release of stress hormones and this could lead to constipation, bloating and IBS.
People suffering from panic disorders are at an increased risk of stomach problems. According to the American Psychiatric Association, panic attacks are sudden sensations or fear of imminent doom. They can occur in specific situations or without apparent reason. You may feel like you're having an attack of the heart or that you're unable to breathe, or you might experience chest pain and a rapid heartbeat.
Chronic anxiety can also increase your risk of other health problems. The fight-or-flight hormones that cause anxiety symptoms assist us in responding to threats, but if you're in high alert all the time your immune system may suffer. This can increase your risk of contracting the common cold, as well as other illnesses.
Your doctor can diagnose anxiety disorders through an examination of your body and a conversation regarding your symptoms. Before diagnosing anxiety, they'll determine if there are other causes such as thyroid or heart problems. A mental health professional will also be able to offer you support and help manage your symptoms. They can assist you in learning techniques for relaxation and work through any underlying traumas or negative experiences which could have triggered anxiety. They can also help you 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
Many people are aware that a racing pulse and a hand that is jittery are indications of anxiety. However, they do not know that chronic muscle tension could be a sign of anxiety disorders, such as generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and certain phobias. If someone suffers from these symptoms frequently they could begin to lose their range of motion and experience constant pain in the neck, back, and shoulders.
Tense muscles are a common symptom of anxiety disorder because the body's fight-or flight response triggers a chain of bodily reactions that result in us physically reacting to perceived threats. These responses are a natural part of our survival instincts, but they can cause problems in the long run if they are 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 big muscles in your legs and arms in case you have to flee or fight danger. The increased heart rate can increase the rate at which your lungs fill with oxygen. The combination of increased tension and hyperventilation could make you feel lightheaded or dizzy.
If you have an anxiety condition, your body is unable to return to its normal state between stress reactions. You feel stressed all the time due to your anxiety disorder, so you keep your sympathetic nervous system in high alert. This causes the constant tension of your muscles, which could eventually result in chronic pain, according to the American Psychological Association. It can also affect your digestive system, which can cause stomach pains, constipation, diarrhea, or irritable bowel syndrome.
4. Dizziness
If you're a person who is anxious, you may often feel dizzy and out of balance. This is due to the nervous system's response to anxiety. When you are worried or scared, your body tenses and then relaxes. If, however, your anxiety is recurring and you experience these symptoms regularly you could be diagnosed with an anxiety disorder.
If you're constantly stressed often, it can be hard to focus or get enough sleep. It also causes havoc to your body, and could cause you to gain weight, as per the Cleveland Clinic. Anxiety can also have a significant influence on the menstrual cycle. It's because it could cause you to miss or have irregular periods because it affects the release of hormones that trigger ovulation, as per the American Psychological Association.
A high blood pressure or heart disease can make you more prone to anxiety, so it's important to bring these medical conditions under control to lower your risk. If you're suffering from any of these conditions, be sure to inform your therapist.
Other things that could increase the risk of anxiety are traumatic events like being in a car accident or having surgery. Anxiety can be caused by a chronic illness, like asthma or diabetes or a chronic medical illness. There are treatments for anxiety disorders. Talk therapy or psychotherapy like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can be helpful. CBT teaches you how to transform negative thoughts and behaviors that trigger anxiety to positive ones. You can also learn relaxation techniques like deep breathing and meditation. Additionally there are supplements you can take to relax your mind and body.
5. Sweating
Anxiety is a term that covers many different feelings that can cause your heart rate to rise and your stomach to become upset and your muscles to tighten. Most of the time, these feelings aren't enough to cause anxiety disorder--but when they're chronic, they can become out of control. You might also experience sweating, chills and other physical symptoms that make you seek medical help.
The habit of sweating is a common sign of anxiety disorders, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. When your body's fight-or-flight response begins, it boosts the rate of blood circulation to prepare you for fight or escape. The increased heart rate may make you 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 could cause an uneasy feeling that you are not able to breathe or breathe, which is known as dyspnea. This is a sign that your anxiety has become too severe to manage.
Your doctor will test your anxiety disorders based on your reported symptoms and how they affect your daily life. You'll be asked about your previous experiences and current concerns. They might also conduct tests to look for other health issues that could be causing them, such as bloodwork and imaging scans. In some cases, they might recommend medications to ease your symptoms, such as powerful antiperspirants containing 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.