10 Quick Tips About Anxiety Disorder Physical Symptoms
Physical Symptoms of Anxiety Disorder
Although everyone experiences anxiety at times When anxiety becomes a problem, it can cause physical symptoms as well as emotional ones. These include a sense of anxiety, muscle tension and stomach issues.
A psychologist, psychiatrist, or therapist uses screening tools to determine whether you suffer from anxiety disorders. They will also inquire about your medical history and conduct tests to rule out other health conditions that may cause similar symptoms.
1. Headaches
Most people experience anxiety from time to times. However, this is different from being diagnosed with an anxiety disorder, which is when the symptoms are more frequent or don't disappear. Anxiety can also interfere with your daily life or cause you to avoid social situations.1
The most frequent physical sign of anxiety are headaches. They can range from a tension headache2 up to a full-blown, migraine in some individuals. A lot of people tighten their muscles as part of their fight-or-flight response, and retaining them in a rigid position for a long period of time can cause pain.
Another physical symptom of anxiety is lightheadedness or dizziness. It could be due to rapid heart rate, hyperventilating or the combination of both. It could also be a sign of a serious medical problem such as heart disease, and it's important to get examined by your doctor.
You may also feel weak in your legs or arms, which can be another indication of anxiety. This is because the nervous system releases cortisol and adrenaline, which help you respond to a threat by speeding up your heartbeat and getting your body ready for a possible attack. Over time, however these hormones may have a negative effect on your health and could cause you to feel shakey, weak, or dizzy.
You might experience more severe symptoms if your anxious and have difficulty sleeping. Relax before bed and follow the same routine. This will allow you to get more rest. Exercise can be beneficial. Aerobic exercise can release brain chemicals that reduce stress and boost your mood, and it can assist you in falling asleep faster. Talk to your doctor If you're still struggling to sleep.
2. Stomach problems
Anxiety can cause the body to become tense and chronic anxiety may lead to persistent pain. Your muscles may ache or your stomach may feel off or you can get diarrhea. Your digestive system may be affected by the constant release of stress hormones and this could lead to constipation, bloating and irritable bowel syndrome.
People with panic disorders have greater risk of having stomach issues. Panic attacks are sudden feelings of terror or impending doom that occur in specific situations or without explanation, according to the American Psychiatric Association. You might feel as if you're having a heart attack or that you're unable to breathe. You may also experience chest pains or an intense pulse.
Long-term anxiety can increase your risk of other health problems also. The hormones that trigger the symptoms of anxiety assist us in responding to danger and if you're constantly on high alert throughout the day, your immune system can be affected. This can make you more prone to common colds, and other ailments.
Your doctor can diagnose anxiety disorders by doing an examination and talking to 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 be able to offer you assistance and assist in managing your symptoms. They can help you learn relaxation techniques and help you 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 find an anxiety specialist.
3. Muscle tension
While most people know that a racing heart and jittery hands are signs of anxiety, many don't know that muscle tension is a physical indication of anxiety disorders such as generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), social anxiety disorder (SAD) or panic disorder, or specific phobias. If a person experiences these symptoms regularly they could begin to lose their range of motion and experience persistent pain in the back, neck and shoulders.
Tense muscles are an indication of anxiety disorders because the body's fight or flight response triggers a sequence of bodily reactions that trigger us to physically react when we sense danger. These reactions are a natural part of our survival instincts, however, they can lead to problems in the long run if they are repeated over a prolonged period of time.
When a real danger is present your adrenal glands release hormones that increase the speed of your heartbeat, so that more blood is pumped to the muscles of your legs or arms in the event that you have to escape or fight. The increased heart rate can increase the speed at which your lungs fill with oxygen. The combination of stress and hyperventilation may make you feel dizzy or lightheaded.
If you have an anxiety-related condition your body is unable to return to its normal state between stress responses. Your anxiety disorder causes you to feel constantly anxious which means that your sympathetic nervous system remains at a high level of alert. This leads to the chronic tension in your muscles that can eventually cause long-term pain, according to the American Psychological Association. It can also affect your digestive system, which can cause stomachaches and constipation, diarrhea or irritable bowel syndrome.
4. disorders anxiety
If you're a stressed-out person you may feel dizzy and out of balance. The reason for this has to relate to the nervous system's response to anxiety. Your body is tense whenever you think about something that worries or scares you, and then it relaxes after the threat has passed. If you are experiencing these symptoms often and you feel your anxiety is chronic you could be suffering from an anxiety disorder.
If you're constantly stressed on a regular basis it can be difficult to concentrate or get enough sleep. It also wreaks havoc on your body and can cause you to gain weight, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Anxiety can also have a significant influence on the menstrual cycle. According to the American Psychological Association, anxiety can cause you to skip your menstrual cycle or experience irregular menstrual cycles by affecting hormones that induce ovulation.
You can be more susceptible to anxiety if you suffer from high blood pressure or heart problems. It is important to manage these medical conditions to decrease 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. Anxiety can be caused by chronic illnesses, such as diabetes or asthma, or a recurring medical condition. The good news is that there are solutions that can ease anxiety disorders. They include psychotherapy, or talk therapy, for instance cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which helps you transform negative anxiety-inducing thoughts and actions into positive ones. You can also learn relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing and meditation. Additionally, there are supplements you can take to help calm your body and mind.
5. Sweating
Anxiety is a term that refers to many different feelings that can cause your heart to race and your stomach to ache and your muscles to become tight. Sometimes, these symptoms aren't enough to constitute anxiety disorder--but when they're chronic, they can become out of control. You may be experiencing chills, sweating and other physical symptoms that prompt you to seek medical treatment.
Sweating is a typical physical sign of anxiety disorders, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. When your body's "fight-or-flight" response kicks in, it boosts the speed of blood circulation to prepare you for the fight. The increased 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 is a sign your anxiety has grown too severe to handle.
Your healthcare provider will assess your anxiety for a disorder based on your reported symptoms and how they affect your daily activities. They'll start by asking you about your past experiences and current concerns. They might also conduct tests to look for other health issues that could be causing the symptoms, such as imaging scans and blood tests. In certain instances, they might prescribe medications to alleviate the symptoms. These include powerful antiperspirants that contain aluminium, drugs that block nerves, or Botox injections in the sweat glands. Alternative treatments include cognitive behavioral therapy, psychotherapy, and relaxation techniques such as yoga or meditation.