Physical Symptoms of Anxiety Disorder
Everyone experiences anxiety from time to time, when anxiety becomes a disorder it can cause physical symptoms, as well as emotional ones. This can include a feeling of anxiety, muscle tension and stomach issues.
A psychologist, psychiatrist or therapist may use screening tools to determine if you have an anxiety disorder. They will also ask about your medical history and run tests to rule other medical conditions that could cause similar symptoms.
1. Headaches
Most people feel anxious from time some point. An anxiety disorder occurs when these feelings are constant or frequent. Anxiety can affect your everyday life or cause you to avoid social situations.1
The most frequent physical sign of anxiety are headaches. They can range from tension headache2 up to a full-blown, migraine in some individuals. This is because many people tense their bodies as part of their fight-or-flight response, and holding those muscles for prolonged periods of time can cause pain.3
Another symptom of anxiety is dizziness or lightheadedness. This could be caused by a rapid heart rate, hyperventilating, or an amalgamation of the two. It could also be a sign that you are suffering from a serious medical condition like heart disease. Talk to your doctor to determine.
You might also feel weak in your arms or legs this could be another indication of anxiety. This is because the nervous system releases adrenaline and cortisol, which help you respond to threats by increasing your heart rate and preparing your body for an attack. In time, these hormones can have a negative impact on your health, making you feel weak, shaky or dizzy.
If you have trouble getting enough sleep due to anxiety, it can make your symptoms worse. Relax before going to bed and adhere to your routine. This will help you get more rest. Exercise can be beneficial. Exercise can also aid. If you are still having difficulties sleeping, consult your doctor about options for treatment.
2. Stomach issues
Anxiety can cause the body to become tense and chronic anxiety may cause pain that persists for a long time. You might experience stomach pain, muscle aches or diarrhea. Stress hormones can affect your gastrointestinal system, leading to constipation or irritablebowel syndrome.
It is possible to experience stomach problems in any anxiety disorder, but people with panic disorders are more likely to experience them. Panic attacks are sudden sensations of fear or dread that occur in specific situations or for no apparent reason according to the American Psychiatric Association. You may feel as if you're experiencing a heart attack or that you are unable to breathe. You might also experience chest pains and a rapid pulse.
Chronic anxiety can increase your risk for other health issues, too. The hormones that cause anxiety symptoms help us to respond to threats however, if we're always alert our immune system could be affected. This can make you more prone to contracting the common cold as well as other ailments.
Your doctor can diagnose anxiety disorders by conducting an examination of your body and a discussion about your symptoms. They will rule out other reasons, such as thyroid issues or heart disease prior to determining you have anxiety. A mental health professional can also offer support and help you manage your symptoms. They can teach you relaxation techniques and assist you to overcome any underlying trauma or negative experience that could have triggered anxiety. They can also help you in finding the right treatment 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. However, they do not realize that chronic muscle tension can be a sign of anxiety disorders, such as generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and even specific fears. When a person is experiencing these symptoms on a regular basis they may lose their range of motion and experience chronic pain in their back, neck and shoulders.
Tense muscles are a common sign of anxiety disorders because the body's fight-or-flight response triggers a series of responses that trigger us to physically react to perceived threats. These responses are a natural part of our survival instincts but they can cause long-term issues if they're repeated over a long period of time.
If a risk is present your adrenal glands release hormones that boost the speed of your heartbeat to ensure that more blood is pumped to the muscles of your arms or legs in the event that you have to flee or fight. anxiety disorder help increased heart rates also increase the rate of your lungs filling up with oxygen. This combination of increased stress and hyperventilation can make you feel lightheaded or dizzy.
When you have an anxiety disorder, however your body isn't able to its normal state of rest between stress reactions. Your anxiety disorder makes you feel anxious all the time, so your sympathetic nervous system is on high alert. This causes the constant tension in your muscles that can eventually cause chronic pain, according to 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 stressed-out person you might be shaky and unbalanced. The reason for this is to relate to the nervous system's response to anxiety. When you are worried or scared your body begins to tense and then it relaxes. If, however, your anxiety is chronic and you experience these symptoms regularly, you may be diagnosed with an anxiety disorder.
It is difficult to fall asleep or focus when you are always worried. According to the Cleveland Clinic, it can also cause your body to suffer and you may gain weight. Anxiety can also have an impact on your menstrual cycles. It's because it could cause you to miss or have irregular periods due to the inability to release hormones that induce ovulation, according to the American Psychological Association.
A high blood pressure or heart disease could make you more susceptible to anxiety, and it's essential to get these medical problems under control to lower your risk. If you're suffering from any of these conditions, be sure to inform your therapist.
Other things that can increase your risk for anxiety are traumatic experiences like being in a car crash or having surgery. Anxiety can be triggered by chronic illnesses, such as diabetes or asthma or a chronic medical illness. There are treatment options for anxiety disorders. They include psychotherapy or talk therapy, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) that teaches you to turn negative anxiety-inducing thoughts and behaviors into positive ones. You can also learn to use relaxation techniques, like meditation or deep breathing. You can also take supplements to help calm your body and mind.
5. Sweating
Anxiety is a term that covers an array of emotions that can cause your heart rate to rise, your stomach to upset and your muscles to become tight. These symptoms alone aren't enough to cause anxiety disorders, but when they become chronic, it can cause problems. You might also experience chills, sweating and other physical symptoms which make you seek medical help.
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 kicks in, it increases the rate that 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 could also cause the feeling of not being able to breathe, which is called dyspnea. This is a sign that your anxiety has become too severe to handle.
Your healthcare provider will determine if you have anxiety disorders by analyzing your symptoms and how they affect your daily routine. They'll start by asking you about your past experiences and current concerns. They may also conduct tests to identify other health issues that may be the cause of your symptoms, like imaging scanners and blood tests. In some instances they may suggest medications to ease your symptoms, such as strong antiperspirants made of aluminium, nerve blocker drugs, or botulinum toxin type A (Botox) injections in the sweat glands. Alternative treatments include cognitive behavior therapy, psychotherapy and techniques for relaxation such as yoga or meditation.