Physical Symptoms of Anxiety Disorder
While everyone feels anxious from time to time, when anxiety becomes a disorder it can cause physical symptoms, as well as emotional ones. They can be characterized by a feeling of restlessness, muscular tension, stomach issues and more.
A psychiatrist, psychologist or therapist may use screening tools to determine whether you suffer from anxiety disorders. They will also inquire about your medical history and conduct tests to rule out any other medical conditions that could cause similar symptoms.
1. Headaches
The majority of people experience anxiety at times. But it’s not the same as having an anxiety disorder which is when the feelings are more frequent or do not go away. Anxiety can also impact your daily life and cause you to avoid social situations.
A common physical symptom of anxiety is headaches. They can range from an normal tension headache2 up to a full-blown migraine for some people. This is due to the fact that many people tighten their muscles as part of the fight-or-flight response and holding their muscles for prolonged periods of time can lead to pain.3
Another physical sign of anxiety is dizziness or lightheadedness. This can be due to an increased heart rate, hyperventilating, or a combination. It could also be an indication of a major medical issue like heart disease, which is why it’s crucial to have your heart checked out by your doctor.
You might be feeling weak, especially in your arms or legs. This could be a sign of stress. This is because the nervous system releases adrenaline and cortisol, which help you respond to threats by increasing your heart rate and getting your body ready for a possible attack. In time these hormones could have a negative impact on your health, causing you feel weak, shaky or dizzy.
There are times when you may experience more symptoms if you are stressed and having difficulty sleeping. Try to take a break before bed and stick to an established routine so that you can sleep better. Exercise can be beneficial. A vigorous aerobic workout can release brain chemicals that cut stress and improve your mood. It can assist you in falling asleep faster. Consult your physician in case you’re having trouble sleeping.
2. Stomach problems
The body tightens up in response to anxiety, and if you suffer from chronic anxiety, it could result in persistent pain. Your muscles may ache, your stomach can be irritable, or you may get diarrhea. Stress hormones can also impact your gastrointestinal system, leading to constipation or irritable bowel syndrome.
It is possible to experience stomach problems when you suffer from any anxiety disorder, however people who suffer from panic disorders are more likely to have stomach issues. Panic attacks are sudden, intense feelings of fear or dread that can occur in certain situations or for no apparent reason, according to the American Psychiatric Association. It could feel like you’re having a heart attack or that you cannot breathe. You may also experience chest pains and an extremely rapid pulse.
Long-term anxiety Disorder physical Symptoms can increase your risk of other health issues as well. The hormones responsible for fighting or flight that cause anxiety symptoms help us respond to a threat however, if you’re always on alert throughout the day your immune system could be affected. This could make you more vulnerable to contracting the common cold and other illnesses.
Your doctor can diagnose anxiety disorders by conducting a a physical exam and interviewing you about your symptoms. Before diagnosing anxiety, they can determine if there are other causes like thyroid and heart diseases. A mental health professional can also provide assistance and support to manage your symptoms. They can help you learn relaxation techniques and help you work through any underlying traumas or negative experiences which may have caused anxiety. They can also assist you in finding the appropriate treatment best drug for anxiety disorder you. Ask your doctor for a referral, or check online therapist directories to locate a specialist in anxiety.
3. Muscle tension
Many people are aware that a racing pulse and a jittery hand are indicators of anxiety. However, they don’t know that chronic muscle tension can be an indication of anxiety disorders, such as generalized anxiety disorder diagnosis 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 series of reactions that result in us physically reacting to perceived threats. These reactions are a normal part of our survival instincts but they can cause problems in the long run if they are repeated or occur over a long period of time.
When a real threat occurs your adrenal glands pump out hormones that increase the rate at which your heart beats to ensure it can pump more blood to the massive muscles in your arms and legs in case you need to escape or fight the threat. The increased heart rates also increase the speed of your lungs filling with oxygen. The combination of stress and hyperventilation can cause you to feel lightheaded or dizzy.
If you suffer from an anxiety disorder, your body isn’t able to its normal state of rest between stress reactions. The anxiety disorder causes you to be constantly anxious, so your sympathetic nervous system is on high alert. This leads to the continuous tension of your muscles, which can eventually cause chronic 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 might be shaky or unbalanced if you are anxious. This is due to the nervous system’s response to treating anxiety disorders. The body gets tense whenever you think about something that worries or scares you, and then it relaxes when the threat is gone. If you experience these symptoms often and you feel your anxiety is persistent it could be that you suffer from an anxiety disorder.
When you’re worried frequently it can be difficult to concentrate or get enough sleep. It also wreaks havoc on your body and may cause you to gain weight, as per the Cleveland Clinic. Anxiety can also have a significant effect on your menstrual cycle. According to the American Psychological Association, anxiety can cause you skip periods or experience irregular menstrual cycles by affecting hormones that induce the ovulation.
High blood pressure or heart disease could make you more prone to anxiety, which is why it’s crucial to get these medical problems under control to reduce your risk. If you suffer from these conditions, make sure to tell your therapist.
Experiences that are traumatizing, such as a car crash or surgery may also increase the risk of anxiety. Anxiety can be caused by a chronic illness such as diabetes or asthma or a chronic medical condition. The good news is that there are solutions that can help with anxiety issues. Psychotherapy or talk therapy such as cognitive behavioral treatment (CBT) can help. CBT teaches you how to change negative thoughts and behaviors that cause anxiety disorder home remedies to positive ones. You can also learn how to use relaxation techniques like deep breathing or meditation. You can also take supplements to help calm your mind and body.
5. Sweating
Anxiety is a broad term for a whole cluster of daunting feelings that can make your heart race and your stomach ache, as well as your muscles tight. These emotions alone aren’t enough to cause anxiety disorders but when they become chronic, it could cause problems. There are also sweating, chills or other physical symptoms that prompt you to seek medical assistance.
Sweating is a typical physical manifestation of anxiety disorders according to the National Institute of Mental Health. When your body’s fight-or flight response is activated, it increases the rate at which your blood circulates to prepare you for battle or escape. The increased 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 Medicine.
This imbalance may also cause an uneasy feeling that you are not breathing properly, which is called dyspnea. This could be a sign that your anxiety has become too intense to handle.
Your healthcare provider will determine if there is an anxiety disorder by looking at your symptoms and how they affect your daily life. You’ll be asked about your past experiences as well as your current concerns. They might also conduct tests to determine if you have any other health problems that could be causing your symptoms, including bloodwork and imaging scanners. In certain instances they may suggest medications to ease your symptoms, such as powerful antiperspirants made of aluminium, nerve blocker drugs or botulinum toxin type A (Botox) injections around the sweat glands. Alternative treatments include cognitive behavioral therapy, psychotherapy, and relaxation techniques like meditation or yoga.
