Physical Symptoms of Anxiety Disorder
Although everyone experiences anxiety at times When anxiety becomes an illness, it can trigger physical symptoms, as well as emotional ones. This can include a feeling of anxiety, muscle tension and stomach issues.
A psychologist, psychiatrist, or therapist uses screening tools to determine if you have anxiety disorders. They will also inquire about your medical history and conduct tests to rule out other health conditions that can cause similar symptoms.
1. Headaches
The majority of people experience anxiety at times. But that's different from having an anxiety disorder which is when the symptoms are more frequent or don't disappear. Anxiety can also interfere with your everyday life or cause you to avoid social situations.1
Headaches are a typical physical symptom of anxiety. They can range from the typical tension headache2 to full-blown migraine in some people. Many people tighten their muscles as part of their fight or flight response, and holding them in a rigid position for a long duration could cause pain.
Another physical symptom of anxiety is dizziness or lightheadedness. It can be caused by a fast heart rate, hyperventilating or the combination of both. It could be a sign you are suffering from an illness that is serious, such as heart disease. Consult your physician to find out.
You may also feel weak, particularly in your arms or legs. This could be a sign of stress. This is because the nervous system releases cortisol and adrenaline which aid in responding to threats by increasing your heart rate and preparing your body for a possible attack. As time passes, these hormones can have a negative effect on your health, causing you feel weak, shaky or dizzy.
If you are having trouble getting enough sleep due to anxiety, it can cause your symptoms to get worse. Try to relax before bed and follow an established routine to get more rest. Exercise can be beneficial. Exercise can help. Consult your physician If you're still having trouble sleeping.
2. Stomach problems
Anxiety can cause the body to become tense, and chronic anxiety disorder physical symptoms (
minecraftcommand.science explains) can cause pain that persists for a long time. You might experience stomach discomfort, muscle pain or diarrhea. Stress hormones can also impact your gastrointestinal system, causing constipation or irritable bowel syndrome.
People who suffer from panic disorders are at a higher risk of stomach problems. According to the American Psychiatric Association, panic attacks are sudden feelings or a fear of imminent death. They can occur in specific situations or without a reason. You might feel as if you are having a heartattack or that you're unable to breathe. You might also experience chest pains, and a rapid pulse.
Long-term anxiety may increase the chances of developing other health problems. The hormones that trigger anxiety symptoms help us to respond to threats and if we're alert, our immune system can be affected. This could make you more susceptible to catching the common cold and other ailments.
Your doctor can diagnose anxiety disorders through a an examination of your body and asking you about 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 will also be able to offer you assistance and support in managing your symptoms. They can help you learn techniques
meds for generalized anxiety disorder relaxation and work through any underlying traumas or negative experiences that may have caused anxiety. They can also help you find a treatment option that is right for you. Ask your doctor to refer you or look up directories online for an anxiety specialist.
3. Muscle tension
Many people are aware that a fast pulse and a hand that is jittery are indications of anxiety. But, they don't realize that muscle tension can 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 frequently they may lose their range and suffer from chronic discomfort in their back, neck and shoulders.
Tense muscles are a common symptom of anxiety disorder because the body's fight-or flight response triggers a chain of responses that trigger us to physically react to perceived threats. A moderate level of anxiety triggers these responses as part of our instinctual survival instinct however, they can cause long-term muscle issues when they happen frequently or over a long period of time.
If a real risk is present your adrenal glands release hormones that increase the speed of your heartbeat to ensure that more blood can be delivered to your muscles that are large in your legs or arms in the event you have to escape or fight. The increased heart rate can boost how quickly your lungs are filled with oxygen. This combination of increased stress and hyperventilation could cause you to feel lightheaded or dizzy.
If you suffer from an anxiety disorder, however, your body can't return to its normal state of rest between stress reactions. Your anxiety disorder causes you to feel constantly anxious which means that your sympathetic nervous system stays at a high level of alert. According to the American Psychological Association, this can cause chronic muscle tension and lasting pain. It can also affect the digestive system, causing stomachaches diarrhea, constipation or irritable-bowel syndrome.
4. Dizziness
If you're a person who is anxious you might feel dizzy and off balance. The reason for this has to relate to the nervous system's response to anxiety. Your body is tense when you think of something that scares or worries you, and then it relaxes after the threat has passed. If you experience these symptoms frequently and your anxiety is chronic it could be that you suffer from an anxiety disorder.
When you're worried on a regular basis, it can be hard to focus or get enough sleep. It also affects your body and can cause you to gain weight, per the Cleveland Clinic. Anxiety can also have a significant impact on your menstrual cycle. According to the American Psychological Association, anxiety can cause you skip periods or experience irregular menstrual cycles by altering hormones that trigger menstrual ovulation.
High blood pressure or heart disease may increase your risk of anxiety, and it's essential to get these medical issues under control to lower your risk. If you have these conditions, be sure to tell your therapist.
Other factors that increase your risk of anxiety are traumatizing experiences like being in a car crash or having surgery. Anxiety can be caused by a chronic illness, such as diabetes or asthma or a chronic medical illness. The good news is that there are solutions which can alleviate anxiety issues. They include psychotherapy, or talk therapy, like cognitive behavioral therapy (
cbt for anxiety disorders) that teaches you to turn negative thoughts and behaviors that trigger anxiety into positive ones. You can also learn relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing and meditation. You can also take supplements to help 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 ache and your muscles to tighten. Sometimes, these symptoms aren't enough to cause anxiety disorder, but when they're ongoing they can get out of hand. You might also experience sweating, chills and other physical symptoms that cause you to seek medical attention.
According to the National Institute of Mental Health The National Institute of Mental Health, sweating is a frequent physical manifestation of anxiety disorders. When your body's fight-or-flight response is activated, it increases the rate of blood circulation to prepare you for battle or escape.