10 Apps To Help You Manage Your Anxiety Disorder Physical Symptoms
Physical Symptoms of Anxiety Disorder
Everyone experiences anxiety at times If anxiety develops into a problem, it can cause physical symptoms, as well as emotional ones. They can be characterized by a feeling of restlessness, muscular tension, stomach issues and more.
A psychiatrist, psychologist or therapist utilizes screening tools to determine if you have anxiety disorders. They will also ask about your medical history, and run tests to rule other medical conditions that could cause similar symptoms.
1. Headaches
Many people experience anxiety from time to some point. An anxiety disorder is when these symptoms are persistent or more frequent. Anxiety can affect your daily routine and cause you to avoid social situations.
The most frequent physical sign of anxiety is headaches. They can range from the normal tension headache2 up to a full-blown migraine in some people. This is because a lot of people tense their bodies as part of their fight-or-flight response and securing those muscles for prolonged periods of time can cause pain.3
Another physical symptom of anxiety is dizziness or lightheadedness. It could be due to a rapid heart rate, hyperventilating or the combination of both. It could also be a sign that you have an underlying medical condition such as heart disease. Talk to your doctor to find out.
You might also feel weak in the arms or legs and arms, which could be a indication of anxiety. This is because the nervous system releases cortisol and adrenaline which allow you to respond to a threat by increasing your heart rate and getting your body ready for an attack. Over time, however, those hormones may have a negative effect on your health and could cause you to feel shakey or weak. You may also feel dizzy, weak, or weak.
If you have trouble getting enough rest due to anxiety, it can make your symptoms worse. Relax before bed and adhere to your routine. This will allow you to get more sleep. Exercise can also be beneficial. Exercise can also help. If you're still having difficulty sleeping, speak to your doctor about options for treatment.
2. Stomach issues
Anxiety can cause the body to tense up and long-term anxiety can lead to persistent pain. Your muscles could hurt, your stomach can be irritable, or you may develop diarrhea. The digestive system of your body can be affected by the constant release of stress hormones and this could lead to constipation, bloating, or irritable bowel syndrome.
You can experience stomach issues in any anxiety disorder, however people with panic disorders are more likely to have these issues. According to anxiety disorder cognitive behavioral therapy , panic attacks are sudden, intense feelings or terror of impending doom. They can happen in specific situations or without apparent reason. You may feel as if you're experiencing a heart attack or that you're unable to breathe. You might also experience chest pains and a rapid pulse.
Chronic anxiety can increase your risk for other health issues also. The hormones that trigger anxiety symptoms can help us respond to a danger however, if we're always on alert our immune system could be affected. This could make you more susceptible to the common cold, as well as other ailments.
Your doctor can diagnose anxiety disorders by doing an examination and talking to you about your symptoms. Before diagnosing anxiety, they can determine if there are other causes like heart disease and thyroid problems. A mental health professional will be able to provide assistance and support in managing your symptoms. They can help you learn relaxation techniques and assist you to overcome any underlying trauma or negative experiences that may have caused anxiety. They can also assist you in finding the appropriate treatment for you. Ask your doctor for a referral, or browse online therapist directories to find a therapist who is an expert in anxiety.
3. Muscle tension
Many people are aware that a twitchy pulse and a hand that is jittery are indications of anxiety. However, they do not know that chronic muscle tension can be an indication of anxiety disorders, such as generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and even specific phobias. If someone is experiencing these symptoms regularly they could lose their range of motion and experience persistent discomfort in their neck, back and shoulders.
Tense muscles are a typical sign of anxiety disorders because the body's fight-or-flight response triggers a cascade of reactions that trigger us to physically react to perceived threats. These reactions are a normal part of our survival instincts but they can cause long-term issues if they're repeated over a prolonged period of time.
When there is a real danger the adrenal glands crank out hormones that speed up the speed at which your heart beats, so that it can pump more blood to the large muscles in your arms and legs in case you have to flee or fight the threat. The increased heart rate can increase the speed at which your lungs are filled with oxygen. This combination of heightened stress and hyperventilation can cause you feel dizzy or lightheaded.
If you have an anxiety condition your body is unable to return to its normal state between stress-related responses. You are constantly anxious throughout the day due to your anxiety disorder, so you keep your sympathetic nervous system in high alert. This leads to the chronic tension in your muscles that could eventually result in chronic pain, according to the American Psychological Association. It can also affect the digestive system, causing stomachaches, constipation, diarrhea or irritable-bowel syndrome.
4. Dizziness
You might be shaky or unbalanced when you are stressed. The reason is to relate to the nervous system's response to anxiety. Your body is tense whenever you think about something that scares or worries you, and then relaxes when the threat is gone. If you are experiencing these symptoms often and you feel your anxiety is chronic it could be that you suffer from an anxiety disorder.
When you're worried often it can be difficult to concentrate or get enough sleep. According to the Cleveland Clinic, it can also cause your body to suffer and you may gain weight. Anxiety can also have a significant impact on your menstrual cycle. It's because it could cause you to skip or experience irregular menstrual cycles because it affects the release of ovulation-inducing hormones, according to the American Psychological Association.
A high blood pressure or heart disease could make you more prone to anxiety, which is why it's crucial to get these medical issues under control to decrease your risk. If you have these conditions, be sure to inform your therapist.
Other factors that increase your risk of anxiety are traumatic experiences like being in a car crash or having surgery. A chronic medical condition, such as asthma or a chronic health issue, such as diabetes, can cause anxiety. The good news is that there are treatments which can alleviate anxiety issues. They include psychotherapy, also known as talk therapy, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which teaches you to turn negative anxiety-inducing thoughts and behaviors into positive ones. You can also learn how to use relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing or meditation. You can also take supplements to help calm your body and mind.
5. Sweating
Anxiety is a term that refers to a wide range of feelings that can cause your heart to beat and your stomach to ache and your muscles to get tighter. Sometimes, these symptoms aren't enough to cause anxiety disorders, but if they're persistent, 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 common physical symptom of anxiety disorders, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. When your body's "fight-or-flight" response kicks in, it boosts your blood circulation rate to prepare you for the fight. The increased heart rate could cause you to feel dizzy or 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.
Dyspnea is the feeling that you can't breathe. It's an indication that your anxiety has become too overwhelming to manage.
Your doctor will test your anxiety for a disorder in light of your symptoms and how they impact your daily life. You'll be asked about previous experiences as well as current concerns. They might also conduct tests to check for other health problems that could be contributing to your symptoms, like bloodwork and imaging scanners. In some instances, they may recommend medications to relieve the symptoms. These include strong antiperspirants containing aluminium or other substances that block nerves, or Botox injections around sweat glands. Alternative treatments include psychotherapy, cognitive behavioral therapy and relaxation techniques like yoga or meditation.