Physical Symptoms of Anxiety Disorder
Every person experiences anxiety at some point however when anxiety turns into a problem, it can cause physical and emotional symptoms. These include a sense of agitation, muscle tension, and stomach problems.
A psychiatrist, psychologist or therapist will use screening tools to determine if you suffer from anxiety disorder. They will also ask you about your medical history and conduct tests to rule out any other health conditions that may cause similar symptoms.
1. Headaches
Many people experience anxiety from time to some point. An anxiety disorder occurs when these feelings become constant or frequent. Anxiety can also impact your daily life and make you avoid social situations.
Headaches are a common physical symptom associated with anxiety. They can range from your normal tension headache2 up to a full-blown migraine in some people. 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 physical symptom of anxiety is lightheadedness or dizziness. It could be due to rapid heart rate, hyperventilating or the combination of both. It could be a sign you suffer from an illness that is serious, such as heart disease. Talk to your doctor to find out.
You might also feel weak, especially in your arms or legs. This could be a sign of anxiety. This is because your nervous system releases cortisol and adrenaline which help you react to danger by accelerating the heartbeat and preparing the entire body for an attack. As time passes these hormones can have a negative impact on your health, making you feel weak, shakey or dizzy.
You may experience worse symptoms if you're anxious and have difficulty sleeping. Relax before going to bed and stick to a routine. This will allow you to get more sleep. Exercise can also be beneficial. Exercise can also aid. Consult your physician If you're still struggling to sleep.
2. Stomach problems
Anxiety can cause your body to become tense and long-term anxiety can lead to persistent pain. There may be stomach pain, muscle aches or diarrhea. Stress hormones can affect the digestive system, leading to constipation or irritablebowel syndrome.
You can experience stomach issues in any anxiety disorder , however people who suffer from panic disorders are more likely to have stomach issues. Panic attacks are sudden sensations of fear or dread that happen in specific circumstances or without explanation, according to the American Psychiatric Association. You might feel as if you are having a heartattack or that you cannot breathe. You might also experience chest pains, and a rapid pulse.
Long-term anxiety increases your risk of other health issues, too. The hormones that trigger the symptoms of anxiety assist us in responding to a threat, but if you're always on alert throughout the day, your immune system can suffer. This could make you more susceptible to the common cold, as well as other ailments.
Your doctor is able to diagnose anxiety disorders with a physical examination and a discussion regarding your symptoms. They can rule out any other causes, such as thyroid issues or heart disease prior to determining you have anxiety. A mental health professional can offer support and help you manage your symptoms. They can assist you in learning techniques for relaxation and work through any underlying negative or traumatic experiences that might have contributed to anxiety. They can also assist you to determine the best treatment option that is appropriate for you. Ask your doctor for a referral or browse online therapist directories to find an anxiety specialist.
3. Muscle tension
Although most people are aware that a racing heart and jittery hands are signs of anxiety, a lot of people don't know that tension in the muscles is a indicator of anxiety disorders such as generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) or social anxiety disorder (SAD) panic disorder, or specific phobias. If someone is experiencing these symptoms on a regular basis they could begin to lose their range of motion and experience constant pain in the 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 reactions that trigger us to physically react to perceived threats. 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 long period of time.
If a serious threat is present your adrenal glands pump out hormones that increase the rate at which your heart beats, so that it can pump more blood to the massive muscles in your arms and legs in case you need to flee or fight the danger. The increased heart rate can increase the speed at which your lungs fill up with oxygen. This combination of heightened stress and hyperventilation can make you feel lightheaded or dizzy.
When you have an anxiety disorder, your body isn't able to return to its normal state of rest between stress-related responses. You are constantly anxious throughout the day due to the anxiety disorder, and you keep your sympathetic nervous system on high alert. This leads to the chronic tensing of your muscles and may eventually lead to 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. Dizziness
If you're a stressed-out person, you may often be shaky and unbalanced. This is due to the nervous system's response to anxiety. Your body tenses up when you think of something that worries or scares you, but then relaxes once the threat passes. If you are experiencing these symptoms frequently and your anxiety is chronic it could be that you suffer from an anxiety disorder.
It can be difficult to fall asleep or concentrate when you are always worried. It also causes havoc to your body and can cause you to gain weight, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Anxiety can also have an impact on your menstrual cycles. According to the American Psychological Association, anxiety can cause you skip periods or experience irregular menstrual cycles by affecting hormones that induce ovulation.
You are more prone to anxiety if you suffer from high blood pressure or heart problems. It's important to control these medical conditions to reduce your risk. Tell your therapist if you have any of these conditions.
A traumatic experience such as a car crash or surgery can also increase your risk of anxiety. Anxiety can be triggered by a chronic illness like asthma or diabetes or a recurring medical health condition. There are treatment options for anxiety disorders. They include psychotherapy, or talk therapy, like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) which helps you turn negative anxiety-inducing thoughts and behaviors into positive ones. You can also learn relaxation techniques such as meditation and deep breathing. You can supplement your diet with supplements to relax your mind and body.
5. Sweating
Anxiety is a broad term for a range of threatening feelings that can cause your heart to beat and your stomach turn a bit upset, and your muscles tense. Most of the time, these feelings aren't enough to cause anxiety disorder--but when they're chronic and get out of hand. You may also experience sweating, chills or other physical symptoms which require medical assistance.
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 is activated, it increases the rate that your blood circulates to prepare you for fight or escape. This increased heart rate could cause you to feel faint or 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.
This imbalance may cause the feeling of not being able to breathe and is known as dyspnea. This is a sign that your anxiety has grown too severe to manage.
Your healthcare provider will assess your anxiety for a disorder based on your reported symptoms and how they affect your daily routine. They'll start by asking you about your past experiences and your current concerns. They may also run tests to determine if there are any other health issues that may be causing them, like bloodwork and imaging scans. In some cases they may prescribe medications to alleviate symptoms. They can recommend strong antiperspirants containing aluminium and other 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.