Are Anxiety Symptoms Physical?
The majority of people know that anxiety symptoms women is characterized as worry and anxiety. But the physical symptoms of anxiety and stress sensations of anxiety can be alarming, and can mimic the symptoms of heart attacks.
Seek help if your physical symptoms or worries are affecting your daily routine. Your doctor may conduct tests to rule out medical reasons for your symptoms.
Pain or pressure in the chest
The stress/anxiety symptoms of anxiety can include chest discomfort, which can be frightening at first. Many people worry that they’re having a heartattack when they feel chest pressure. However, it is more likely that the symptoms are caused by anxiety than anything more serious.
If someone experiences anxiety, their brain and body send out an immediate stress response. This is a physical reaction that can include sweating, nausea and shortness of breathe. It could also cause tight muscles, tingling hands and feet. This is known as the fight or flight response, and it’s designed to assist those in a risky situation.
The chest pain associated with anxiety can be described as a stabbing or a sharp pain in the middle of the chest. The pain is typically followed by a feeling of heaviness, or crushing pressure. It usually subsides within a few minutes. People with anxiety may also feel this discomfort in their arms, shoulders or jaws.
Another sign of anxiety is a change in heart rate, which can result in a fast heartbeat that feels as though the heart is skipping beats or is racing. This is a sign of the heart working harder to bring more oxygen into the bloodstream.
It is essential to consult your doctor if you are experiencing chest pains or other signs of anxiety. They can pinpoint the root of the problem and rule out a heart issue like coronary artery disease. If the doctor determines that anxiety is the reason the issue, he can prescribe medication or psychotherapy to alleviate the symptoms.
Tingling or Numbness of the Arms and Legs
It can be very unnerving to feel numbness in your legs or arms. It might come and go and it could be a normal feeling that happens on a regular basis. It can be linked to other symptoms of anxiety like a sweating, headache or a slurred breath. It can be an isolated manifestation or a sign of excessive or chronic anxiety.
Tingling sensations in the feet and hands could be a sign of anxiety. These sensations could be the result of a fight-or-flight reaction. When you’re afraid your body prepares to react by increasing blood flow in the vital organs and muscles while decreasing it in other parts of the body. This redirected flow of blood can cause numbness in the extremities.
While it’s important to realize that not every tingling or numbness is caused by anxiety It’s equally important to recognize that the symptoms could be caused by other medical conditions, such as nerve damage, diabetes or an infection. The best way to determine if there is an underlying problem is to make an appointment with your healthcare provider.
When you are able to manage your anxiety the anxiety will diminish, and this will eliminate anxiety-induced numbness in the extremities. Try relaxation techniques, self-care strategies, or speak to a trusted individual about your worries. Consider joining a support group for anxiety in case your overwhelming anxiety symptoms persists. Many people find that talking to someone can help them manage their anxiety. There are a variety of anxiety coping techniques online like yoga and meditation. You can also consult your GP for advice or recommend counselling services.
Weakness or Fainting
Anxiety can cause people to feel weak or faint due to a lack in blood flow to their brains and muscles. This can be a scary experience as it can make you feel as if there is something wrong in your body. Tell your doctor if you feel weak or faint, so they can check whether there’s a root health problem. This includes checking for thyroid, heart rate, blood pressure and other medical issues.
It’s important to discuss your anxiety-related symptoms with your doctor and how they affect your life. Your doctor can help you determine the root of your anxiety and suggest solutions. They’ll start with a physical exam, and will also inquire about your medical history as well as any medications you’re taking (including herbal remedies, over-the-counter medications and recreational drugs).
There are people who develop anxiety disorders due to trauma or stress in their lives. Certain individuals have a genetic tendency to develop anxiety disorders, while others are taking medications that trigger them. It’s not known what causes anxiety disorders, but the brain may release stress hormones in response to a person’s anxiety or stress. These hormones can have long-term negative health effects.
People suffering from anxiety often withdraw from friends and family, avoid certain activities or places, and spend much of their time searching for reassurance to ease their worries. This can lead to depression and social isolation. Mental health treatment can help people learn to stop their anxious behavior, accept bodily sensations and deal with worrying thoughts. Certain types of therapy, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy are particularly beneficial for people suffering from anxiety related to health.
Braced or Tense Muscles
For the majority of people, anxiety-related muscle tension is a temporary sensation that fades after the stressful event has passed. For certain, however, anxiety-related muscle tension is persistent and can last for weeks or even days. This can cause stiffness, pains and aches in the back, shoulders neck, chest, face, or stomach, in addition to other body parts.
Stress triggers a variety of physical reactions to prepare your body to fight or flee. This includes an increase in blood flow to muscles, allowing them to react quickly, in addition to tension in the muscles. This is a normal reaction that helps you to get away from danger and handle emergency situations. When your body is constantly in high alert, as can be the case with chronic anxiety, it can lead to long-term issues.
Hyperstimulation is one of the most common causes. This happens when your body’s survival instinct gets triggered repeatedly. This can result in your body being stuck in the fight or flight response, causing you to experience anxiety-related symptoms like a heartbeat that is pounding, tension in your muscles, dizziness, or nervousness.
If you know someone who suffers from these symptoms Try to help them break out of the cycle by providing encouragement and support. You could also distract them by asking them to do something like take a look at the photos in a book or wash the dishes in order to distract them from their anxious feelings. Another option is to convince them to see a doctor or a mental health professional to get an evaluation. This could include an examination for medical or laboratory tests to rule out any other health issues.
Dry Mouth
When you feel anxious your body’s fight or flight response kicks in. This releases a burst of adrenaline and other hormones into your bloodstream. This increases your pulse rate and breathing, ensuring that you have more oxygen to get to your brain. These effects prepare you for an emergency however, they may make you feel tired and uncomfortable.
You may also experience a dry mouth if you are stressed. It might feel as if you’re dehydrated, but this is not true. Dry mouth is caused by hyperarousal of your nervous system, which can cause your stomach to produce more acid.
Additionally when you’re stressed you may breathe through your mouth instead of your nose. This can cause excessive swallowing that dry out the throat. This could also be an adverse effect of many anxiety medications, including antidepressants.
If you have a dry mouth, try sipping water or chewing sugar-free gums to stimulate saliva production. If you are taking medication that causes dry mouth, speak to your doctor about switching to a different medication.
If you experience a dry mouth that isn’t getting better by taking medication, try relaxation techniques or therapy. This can help you manage your anxiety. It is important to seek treatment immediately if you begin to notice signs of anxiety, in order to avoid the condition worsening. BetterHelp has more than 20,000 licensed therapists that provide convenient and affordable online therapy. Start your free online assessment to match you with the right therapist. This article was originally published on Anxiety UK.
