10 Reasons You'll Need To Learn About Anxiety Disorder Physical Symptoms

Physical Symptoms of Anxiety Disorder

Everyone feels anxious at times however, when anxiety develops into an illness, it can trigger physical as well as emotional symptoms. This can include a feeling of agitation, muscle tension, stomach issues and more.

A psychologist, psychiatrist, or therapist will use screening tools to determine if you suffer from anxiety disorders. They will also ask about your medical history, and will run tests to rule out other health conditions which may cause similar symptoms.

1. Headaches

The majority of people experience anxiety from time to time. An anxiety disorder is when these feelings are continuous or more frequent. Anxiety can also impact your daily life and make you avoid social situations.

Headaches are a typical physical symptom of anxiety. They can range from your normal tension headache2 up to a complete migraine in a few people. This is due to the fact that many people tense their bodies in response to the fight or flight response and securing those muscles for prolonged periods of time can cause pain.3

Dizziness or lightheadedness is another symptom of physical anxiety. This can be due to a rapid heart rate, hyperventilating, or a combination. It can also be an indication of a serious medical condition like heart disease, and it's crucial to have your heart examined by your physician.

You might be feeling weak in your arms or legs, which can be another sign of anxiety. This is because the nervous system releases cortisol and adrenaline which aid in responding to a threat by speeding up your heartbeat and getting your body ready for a potential attack. However, over time these hormones can have the opposite effect on your health, and may cause you to feel weak, shaky and weak 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 helpful. Brisk aerobic activity can release brain chemicals that reduce stress and improve your mood, and it can help you fall asleep easier. Consult your physician If you're still having trouble sleeping.

2. Stomach problems

Anxiety can cause the body to tighten up and long-term anxiety can cause pain that persists for a long time. Your muscles might ache, your stomach can feel a bit sluggish, or you could develop diarrhea. Stress hormones can also impact the digestive system, leading to constipation or irritablebowel syndrome.

There are stomach issues that can be experienced in any anxiety disorder, however people who suffer from panic disorders are more likely to suffer from these issues. Panic attacks are sudden sensations of fear or dread that can occur in certain situations or without explanation according to the American Psychiatric Association. It could 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.

Chronic anxiety can increase your risk of other health problems as well. The fight-or-flight hormones that cause anxiety symptoms help us respond to threats and if you're constantly in high alert all the time, your immune system can be affected. This could make you more susceptible to contracting the common cold as well as other ailments.

Your doctor can diagnose anxiety disorders through a an examination of your body and asking you about your symptoms. Before diagnosing anxiety, they'll determine if there are other causes, such as thyroid or heart problems. A mental health professional will also be able to offer you assistance and support in managing your symptoms. They can help you learn relaxation techniques and work through any traumas or negative experiences that could have triggered your anxiety. They can also assist you in finding the appropriate treatment for you. Ask your doctor for a referral or look up online directories of therapists to locate a specialist in anxiety.

3. Muscle tension

While the majority of people know that a racing heart and hands that feel jittery are signs of anxiety, a lot of people don't realize that chronic tension in the muscles is a sign of anxiety disorders like  generalized anxiety disorder   (GAD) as well as social anxiety disorder (SAD) panic disorder, or certain phobias. If a person is experiencing these symptoms on a regular basis they may lose their range of motion and suffer from persistent pain in the neck, back, and shoulders.

Tense muscles are a typical manifestation of anxiety disorder since the body's fight or flight response triggers a chain of responses that trigger us to physically react to perceived threats. Moderate anxiety levels elicit these reactions as part of our survival instincts however, they can also cause long-term problems with muscles when they occur regularly or over a prolonged period of time.

When a real danger is present the adrenal glands produce hormones that boost the speed of your heartbeat to ensure that more blood can be pumped to your muscles that are large in your legs or arms in the event you need to run away or fight. The increased heart rate can increase the rate that your lungs fill with oxygen. This combination of increased stress and hyperventilation may make you feel dizzy or lightheaded.

If you have an anxiety condition, your body is unable to return to its normal resting state between stress-related responses. You feel anxious throughout the day due to the anxiety disorder, and you keep your sympathetic nervous system on high alert. This leads to the continuous 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, constipation, diarrhea, or irritable bowel syndrome.

4. Dizziness

If you're an anxious person, you may often be shaky and unbalanced. The reason for this has to be due to the nervous system's response to anxiety. When you are anxious or worried, your body tenses and then relaxes. If, however, your anxiety is persistent and you are experiencing these symptoms often, you may be diagnosed with an anxiety disorder.

It is difficult to fall asleep or concentrate when you are constantly worried. It also affects your body and can cause you to gain weight, as per the Cleveland Clinic. Anxiety also has a big influence on the menstrual cycle. That's because it can cause you to miss or have irregular periods due to the inability to release hormones that trigger ovulation, as per the American Psychological Association.

You may be more prone to anxiety if you suffer from high blood pressure or heart problems. It is important to manage these medical conditions to reduce your risk. If you're suffering from any of these conditions, make sure to tell your therapist.

A traumatic experience like a car crash or surgery may also increase the risk of anxiety. Anxiety can be triggered by a chronic illness, like asthma or diabetes or a recurring medical condition. The good news is that there are treatments that can help with anxiety disorders. Psychotherapy or talk therapy such as cognitive behavioral treatment (CBT) can be helpful. CBT teaches you how to transform negative thoughts and behaviors that trigger anxiety to positive ones. You can also learn to use relaxation techniques, like deep breathing or meditation. You can supplement your diet with supplements to relax your body and mind.

5. Sweating

Anxiety is a term that refers to a wide range of feelings that can cause your heart to race, your stomach to upset and your muscles to become tight. These symptoms alone aren't enough to cause anxiety disorder however, when they become chronic, it could cause problems. There are also sweating, chills and other physical symptoms which make you 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 begins, it boosts the speed at which your blood circulates to prepare you for battle 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.

This imbalance may also cause a feeling of not being breathing or breathe, which is known as dyspnea. It's an indication that your anxiety is getting too intense to manage.

Your healthcare provider will determine if you have an anxiety disorder by evaluating your symptoms and how they impact your daily routine. They'll begin by asking you about your previous experiences and your current concerns. They may also conduct tests to look for other health issues that could be causing them, such as bloodwork and imaging scans. In some instances, they may suggest medications to ease your symptoms. These include strong antiperspirants with aluminium in them, drugs that block nerves, or Botox injections in the sweat glands. Alternative treatments include cognitive behavioral therapy, psychotherapy, and relaxation techniques like meditation or yoga.