Physical Symptoms of Anxiety Disorder
Everyone experiences anxiety from time to time, when anxiety becomes a problem, it can cause physical symptoms, as well as emotional ones. This can include a feeling of restlessness, muscular tension and stomach issues.
A psychologist, psychiatrist, or therapist uses screening tools to determine if you suffer from anxiety disorder. They will also ask you about your medical history and run tests to rule out other health conditions that may cause similar symptoms.
1. Headaches
Most people feel anxious from time to time. An anxiety disorder is when these feelings become continuous or more frequent. Anxiety can affect your everyday life or cause you to avoid social situations.1
A common physical symptom of anxiety is headaches. They can range from a tension headache2 to a full-blown, migraine in some individuals. Many people tense up their muscles as part of their fight or flight response, and holding them in a rigid position for a long time could cause pain.
Lightheadedness or dizziness are another physical sign of anxiety. It can be caused by a fast heart rate, hyperventilating or an amalgamation of both. It could also be an indication of a major medical problem such as heart disease, which is why it's crucial to have your heart checked by your doctor.
You might be feeling weak in your arms or legs, which can be another indication of anxiety. This is because your nervous system releases adrenaline and cortisol which help you react to a threat by speeding up the heartbeat and preparing your body for an attack. Over time, these hormones can have a negative impact on your health, making you feel weak, shaky or dizzy.
If you are having trouble getting enough rest due to anxiety, it could make your symptoms worse. Relax before going to bed and follow your routine. This will help you get more sleep. Exercise can also be helpful. Brisk aerobic activity can release brain chemicals that reduce stress and improve your mood, and it can assist you in falling asleep faster. If you still have difficulty sleeping, speak to your doctor about treatment options.
2. Stomach issues
Anxiety can cause the body to become tense, and chronic anxiety can lead to persistent pain. There may be stomach discomfort, muscle pain or diarrhea. Your gastrointestinal system can also be affected by the constant release of stress hormones, and this can lead to constipation, bloating or irritable bowel syndrome.
It is possible to experience stomach problems with any type of anxiety disorder, however people with panic disorders are more likely to experience stomach issues. According to the American Psychiatric Association, panic attacks are sudden sensations or a fear of imminent doom. They can happen in specific circumstances or without any reason. You might feel as if you're experiencing a heart attack or that you are unable to breathe. You might also experience chest pains and an intense pulse.
Chronic anxiety increases your risk of other health issues as well. The hormones responsible for fighting or flight that cause anxiety symptoms aid us in responding to danger and if you're constantly in high alert all the time your immune system could suffer. This can make you more vulnerable to catching the common cold and other diseases.
Your doctor can diagnose anxiety disorders by conducting a an examination of your body and asking you about your symptoms. They will rule out other causes, like heart disease or thyroid problems, before diagnosing you with anxiety. A mental health professional will also be able to offer you support and help manage your symptoms. They can teach you relaxation techniques and help you work through any underlying trauma or negative experience that might have led to anxiety. They can also assist you in finding the appropriate treatment for you. Ask your doctor to refer you or look online for directories that feature an anxiety specialist.
3. Muscle tension
Many people are aware that a racing pulse and a jittery hand are indicators 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 fears. If someone is experiencing these symptoms on a regular basis they may lose their range of motion and suffer from constant pain in the neck, back, and shoulders.
Tense muscles can be a sign of anxiety disorders as the body's fight or flight response triggers a range of reactions which result in us physically reacting when we feel threatened. These reactions are a natural part of our survival instincts, but they can cause long-term issues if they're repeated or over a long period of time.
When a real threat occurs the adrenal glands crank out hormones that increase the speed at which your heart beats, so that it can pump more blood to the large muscles in your arms and legs in case you need to flee or fight danger. Those increased heart rates also increase the speed at which your lungs are filled with oxygen. This combination of increased stress and hyperventilation may make you feel lightheaded or dizzy.
When you have an anxiety disorder, your body isn't able to its normal state of relaxation between stress reactions. You feel anxious throughout the day because of the anxiety disorder, and you keep your sympathetic nervous system on high alert. According to the American Psychological Association, this could lead to chronic muscle tension and long-term pain. It can also affect your digestive system, which may cause stomach pain and constipation, diarrhea or irritable bowel syndrome.
4. Dizziness
If you're a person who is anxious, you may often be shaky and unbalanced. The reason for this is to relate to the nervous system's response to anxiety. If you are stressed or worried your body begins to tense and then relaxes. If, however, your anxiety is persistent and you experience these symptoms frequently you could be diagnosed with an anxiety disorder.
It can be difficult to sleep or concentrate when you're 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 major influence on your menstrual cycles. That's because it can cause you to skip or experience irregular menstrual cycles due to the inability to release ovulation-inducing hormones, according to the American Psychological Association.
You are more prone to anxiety if you have high blood pressure or heart problems. It's important to control these medical conditions to reduce your risk. Tell your therapist if you suffer from any of these ailments.
Experiences that are traumatizing, such as a car crash or surgery may also increase the risk of anxiety. A chronic medical condition such as asthma or a chronic health issue like diabetes can cause anxiety. The good news is that there are treatments which can alleviate anxiety issues. Psychotherapy or talk therapy like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can be helpful. CBT teaches you how to transform negative thoughts and behaviors that trigger anxiety into positive ones. You can also learn relaxation techniques like deep breathing and meditation. In addition there are supplements that you can take to help calm your mind and body.
5. Sweating
Anxiety is a term used to describe for a variety of frightening feelings that could make your heart race and your stomach turn a bit upset, and your muscles tense. These symptoms alone aren't enough to trigger anxiety disorder but when they become chronic, it can be a problem. You might also experience sweating, chills and other physical symptoms that prompt you to seek medical assistance.
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 kicks in it increases the speed of blood circulation to prepare you for combat. This boost in heart rate can cause you to feel exhausted and dizzy. 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. This could be a sign that your anxiety has become too severe to manage.
Your healthcare provider will determine if you suffer from an anxiety disorder by evaluating your symptoms and how they impact your daily routine. You'll be asked about your past experiences as well as current concerns. They might also conduct tests to identify other health issues that could be causing them, such as bloodwork and imaging scans. In some cases they may prescribe medications to alleviate your symptoms. They can recommend strong antiperspirants with aluminium in them and other drugs that block nerves, or Botox injections around sweat glands. Alternative treatments include psychotherapy, cognitive behavior therapy and relaxation techniques such as yoga or meditation.