Physical Symptoms of Anxiety Disorder
Everyone feels anxious at times however when anxiety turns into an illness, it can trigger physical and emotional symptoms. They can be characterized by a feeling tension in the muscles, restlessness and stomach problems.
A psychiatrist, psychologist, or therapist uses screening tools to determine if you suffer from anxiety disorder. They will also inquire about your medical history and conduct tests to rule out any other health conditions that can cause similar symptoms.
1. Headaches
The majority of people experience anxiety from time to some point. But that's different from having an anxiety disorder which is when the symptoms are more frequent or do not disappear. Anxiety can affect your daily routine or cause you to avoid social situations.1
A common physical symptom of anxiety are headaches. They can range from an typical tension headache2 to full-blown migraine in some people. This is because many people tighten their muscles as part of the fight-or-flight response and holding their muscles rigidly for long periods of time can cause pain.3
Another physical symptom of anxiety is lightheadedness or dizziness. This could be due to a fast heart rate, hyperventilating or the combination of both. It could be a sign you have an underlying medical condition such as heart disease. Talk to your doctor to find out.
You may also feel weak, particularly in your legs or arms. This can be a sign of stress. This is because the nervous system releases cortisol and adrenaline which allow you to respond to a threat by speeding up your heartbeat and getting your body ready for a potential attack. Over time, however, those hormones can have the opposite effect on your health and may cause you to feel weak, shaky and weak or dizzy.
If you are having trouble getting enough sleep because of anxiety, it can make your symptoms worse. Relax before going to bed and stick to your routine. This will allow you to get more rest. Exercise can also be beneficial. Exercise can also help. If you're still having difficulty sleeping, speak to your doctor about options for treatment.
2. Stomach problems
Anxiety can cause the body to tighten up and chronic anxiety may cause chronic pain. You might experience stomach discomfort, muscle pain or diarrhea. Your digestive system may be affected by the constant release of stress hormones and this could lead to constipation, bloating, or IBS.
It is possible to experience stomach problems in any anxiety disorder, but people who suffer from panic disorders are more likely to experience them. According to the American Psychiatric Association, panic attacks are sudden, intense feelings or a fear of imminent death. They can occur in specific circumstances or without apparent reason. You may feel like you're experiencing an attack on your heart or you can't breathe, and you might have chest pain and a fast heartbeat.
Long-term anxiety increases your risk of other health problems, too. The hormones that cause anxiety symptoms help us to respond to a danger and if we're on high alert our immune system could be affected. This could make you more prone to the common cold, as well as other diseases.
Your doctor can diagnose anxiety disorders by conducting a physical examination and a conversation regarding your symptoms. They can rule out any other causes, such as heart disease or thyroid problems, before diagnosing you with anxiety. A mental health professional can provide support and assistance to manage your symptoms. They can help you learn techniques for relaxation and work through any underlying traumas or negative experiences which could have triggered your anxiety. They can also assist you in locating the best treatment for you. Ask your doctor for a referral, or check online therapist directories to find an anxiety specialist.
3. Muscle tension
Many people are aware that a racing pulse and jittery hand are signs of anxiety. However, they do not realize that muscle tension can be an indication of anxiety disorders like generalized anxiety disorder social anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and certain phobias. If someone is experiencing these symptoms on a regular basis, 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 chain of bodily reactions that cause us to physically react to perceived threats. panic anxiety disorder elicit these responses as part our survival instincts however, they can lead to long-term muscle problems when they occur regularly or over a long period of time.
When a real threat occurs your adrenal glands pump out hormones that speed up how fast your heart beats, so that it can pump more blood to the large muscles in your legs and arms in case you have to escape or fight the danger. The increased heart rate can increase the rate of your lungs filling up with oxygen. The combination of stress and hyperventilation could make you feel lightheaded or dizzy.
If you suffer from an anxiety disorder, your body is unable to return to its normal resting state between stress-related responses. You feel anxious all the while due to your anxiety disorder, which is why you keep your sympathetic nervous system in high alert. This causes the constant tension in your muscles that could eventually result in 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 often be shaky and unbalanced. This is due to the nervous system's response to anxiety. Your body tenses up when you think about something that worries or scares you, and then it relaxes after the threat has passed. However, if your anxiety is chronic and you experience these symptoms frequently you could be diagnosed with an anxiety disorder.
It is difficult to fall asleep or concentrate when you're constantly worried. It also wreaks havoc on your body and may cause you to gain weight, as per the Cleveland Clinic. Anxiety also has a big impact on your menstrual cycle. That's because it can cause you to skip or have irregular periods because it affects the release of hormones that induce ovulation, according to the American Psychological Association.
High blood pressure or heart disease may make you more susceptible to anxiety, and it's essential to bring these medical conditions under control to lower your risk. If you have these conditions, make sure to tell your therapist.
Other things that can increase your risk of anxiety are traumatic experiences, such as being in a car accident or having surgery. A chronic medical condition, such as asthma or an ongoing health issue like diabetes can cause anxiety. There are treatments for anxiety disorders. They include psychotherapy or talk therapy, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) that helps you turn negative anxiety-inducing thoughts and behaviors into positive ones. You can also learn how to use relaxation techniques such as meditation or deep breathing. In addition there are supplements available to calm your mind and body.
5. Sweating
Anxiety is a term that encompasses an array of emotions that can cause your heart to race and your stomach to become upset and your muscles to tighten. These symptoms alone aren't enough to trigger anxiety disorder but when they become chronic, it could cause problems. You might also experience chills, sweating and other physical symptoms that cause you to seek medical attention.
According to the National Institute of Mental Health sweating is a typical physical manifestation of anxiety disorders. When your body's fight-or-flight response begins, it boosts the rate that your blood circulates 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 the feeling of not being breathing properly, which is called dyspnea. This could be a sign that your anxiety has become too intense to handle.
Your doctor will test your anxiety disorders in light of your symptoms and how they interfere with your daily activities. They'll begin by asking you about your past experiences and your current concerns. They may also conduct tests to identify other health issues that may be the cause of your symptoms, like bloodwork and imaging scanners. In certain instances, they might suggest medications to ease symptoms. They can recommend strong antiperspirants containing aluminium and other drugs that block nerves and Botox injections in the sweat glands. Alternative treatments include psychotherapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, and relaxation techniques such as meditation or yoga.