Physical Symptoms of Anxiety Disorder
Everyone feels anxious at times however when anxiety turns into a problem, it can cause physical and emotional symptoms. They can be characterized by a feeling tension in the muscles, restlessness and stomach issues.
A psychologist, psychiatrist or therapist will employ screening tools to determine whether you suffer from anxiety disorders. 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
Many people feel anxious at times. An anxiety disorder is when these symptoms are continuous or more frequent. Anxiety can also affect your daily life and make it difficult to participate in social situations.
Headaches are a typical physical symptom associated with anxiety. They can range from your average tension headache2 to a complete migraine in a few people. This is due to the fact that many people tighten their muscles as part of their fight-or-flight response, and holding those muscles in a rigid position for long periods of time can cause pain.3
Another physical symptom of anxiety is lightheadedness or dizziness. This could be due to an increased heart rate, hyperventilating, or an amalgamation of both. It could be a sign you are suffering from a serious medical condition like heart disease. Consult your physician to determine.
You may also feel weak in the legs or arms and arms, which could be a indication of anxiety. This is because the nervous system releases adrenaline and cortisol, which help you respond to a threat by increasing your heart rate and preparing your body for a possible attack. As time passes these hormones could have a negative impact on your health, causing you feel weak, shakey or dizzy.
You may experience worse symptoms if your stressed and are having trouble sleeping. Try to relax before bed and follow an established routine so that you can sleep better. Exercise can also be beneficial. Aerobic exercise can release brain chemicals that can reduce stress and improve your mood. It can assist you in falling asleep faster. Talk to your doctor if you are still having trouble sleeping.
2. Stomach issues
Anxiety can cause your body to tense up and chronic anxiety may lead to persistent pain. There may be stomach discomfort, muscle pain or diarrhea. anxiety disorders types can also affect your digestive system, causing constipation or irritablebowel syndrome.
There are stomach issues that can be experienced when you suffer from any anxiety disorder, but people with panic disorders are more likely to experience these issues. According to the American Psychiatric Association, panic attacks are sudden feelings or fear of imminent death. They can happen in certain situations or without apparent reason. You might feel as if you're having a heart attack or that you're unable to breathe, or you may experience chest pain and a fast heartbeat.
Chronic anxiety can increase your risk of other health problems, too. The hormones responsible for fighting or flight that cause anxiety symptoms help us respond to a threat, but if you're always on alert throughout the day your immune system could suffer. This can make you more prone to the common cold, and other ailments.
Your doctor can diagnose anxiety disorders by conducting a an examination of your body and asking you about your symptoms. Before diagnosing anxiety, they will rule out other causes like thyroid or heart problems. A mental health professional will also be able to provide assistance and assist in managing your symptoms. They can also teach relaxation techniques and help you overcome any underlying trauma or negative experience that could have triggered your anxiety. They can also assist you in finding the appropriate treatment for you. Ask your doctor to refer you to one or look up directories online for an anxiety specialist.
3. Muscle tension
While most people know that a racing heart and hands that feel jittery are signs of anxiety, many people do not realize that chronic tension in the muscles is a indication of anxiety disorders such as generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) or social anxiety disorder (SAD) or panic disorder, or specific fears. When a person suffers from these symptoms frequently, they may begin to lose their range of motion and suffer from persistent pain in the neck, back, and shoulders.
Tense muscles are a common sign of anxiety disorders because the body's fight-or flight response triggers a cascade of responses that trigger us to physically react to perceived threats. These responses are a natural part of our survival instincts however, they can lead to problems in the long run if they are repeated over a long period of time.
When a real threat occurs the adrenal glands crank out hormones that speed up the speed at which your heart beats to ensure it can pump more blood to the large muscles in your legs and arms in case you need to flee or fight threat. The increased heart rate can increase the rate that your lungs fill up with oxygen. The combination of stress and hyperventilation can cause you to feel lightheaded or dizzy.
If you suffer from an anxiety-related condition your body isn't able to return to its normal state between stress responses. Your anxiety disorder makes you feel constantly anxious which means that your sympathetic nervous system stays in high alert. This leads to the chronic tensing of your muscles and can eventually cause long-term pain, according the American Psychological Association. It can also affect your digestive system causing stomachaches, diarrhea, constipation or irritable-bowel syndrome.
4. Dizziness
If you're a person who is anxious you may be shaky and unbalanced. The reason is to do with the nervous system response to anxiety. When you are worried or anxious your body tightens and then relaxes. If you experience these symptoms frequently and your anxiety is persistent you could be suffering from an anxiety disorder.
It can be difficult to sleep or focus when you are always worried. According to the Cleveland Clinic, it can also cause your body to suffer, and you may gain weight. Anxiety can also have a significant influence on the menstrual cycle. According to the American Psychological Association, anxiety can cause you to skip your menstrual cycle or have irregular cycles due to altering hormones that cause ovulation.
High blood pressure or heart disease may make you more susceptible to anxiety, so it's important to get these medical issues under control to decrease your risk. If you have these conditions, be sure to tell your therapist.
Other things that can increase your risk of anxiety are traumatizing experiences, such as being in a car crash or having surgery. A recurring medical condition like asthma or an ongoing health issue like diabetes can cause anxiety. There are treatments for anxiety disorders. They include psychotherapy or talk therapy, like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which helps you turn negative anxiety-inducing thoughts and behaviors into positive ones. You can also learn relaxation techniques such as deep breathing and meditation. Additionally, there are supplements you can take to relax your mind and body.
5. Sweating
Anxiety is a term that refers to an array of emotions that can cause your heart to race and your stomach to become upset and your muscles to get tighter. Most of the time, these feelings aren't enough to constitute anxiety disorders, but if they're persistent and become out of control. You might also experience chills, sweating and other physical symptoms that prompt you to seek medical attention.
According to the National Institute of Mental Health The National Institute of Mental Health, sweating is a frequent physical sign of anxiety disorders. When your body's fight or flight response kicks in, it increases the speed of blood circulation to prepare you for fighting or escape. The increased heart rate can cause you to feel dizzy and 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 is the feeling of not breathing. It's an indication that your anxiety has become too severe to control.
Your healthcare provider will determine if there is anxiety disorders by analyzing your symptoms and how they impact your daily routine. They'll begin by asking about your experiences in the past and your current concerns. They may also run tests to look for other health issues that could be causing them, such as imaging scans and blood tests. In certain instances they may recommend medication to alleviate your symptoms, such as powerful antiperspirants containing aluminium, nerve-blocking drugs or botulinum toxin type A (Botox) injections in the sweat glands. Alternative treatments include psychotherapy, cognitive therapy, and relaxation techniques such as meditation or yoga.