10 Things You've Learned In Preschool That Will Help You With Anxiety Disorder Physical Symptoms
Physical Symptoms of Anxiety Disorder
While everyone feels anxious at times When anxiety becomes a problem, it can cause physical symptoms as well as emotional ones. These include a sense of restlessness, muscular tension, and stomach problems.
A psychologist, psychiatrist or therapist may use screening tools to determine if you suffer from anxiety disorders. They will also ask you about your medical history and run tests to rule out any other health conditions that may cause similar symptoms.
1. Headaches
The majority of people have anxiety from time to times. An anxiety disorder is when these feelings become continuous or more frequent. Anxiety can also affect your everyday life or cause you to avoid social situations.1
Headaches are a typical physical symptom associated with anxiety. They can range from the 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 rigidly for long periods of time can lead to pain.3
Dizziness or lightheadedness is another physical sign of anxiety. This can be caused by a fast heart rate, hyperventilating or a combination of both. It can also be an indication of a serious medical condition like heart disease, so it's crucial to have your heart examined by your physician.
You may also feel weak, particularly in your legs or arms. This could be a sign of anxiety. This is because the nervous system releases adrenaline and cortisol which aid in responding to threats by increasing your heart rate and preparing your body for an attack. However, over IamPsychiatry , those hormones can have the opposite effect on your health and may cause you to feel weak, shaky, weak, or dizzy.
If you're having difficulty getting enough sleep because of anxiety, it could cause your symptoms to get worse. Try to take a break before bed and stick to your routine to sleep better. Exercise can be beneficial. Exercise can also aid. Talk to your doctor if you are still struggling to sleep.
2. Stomach issues
Anxiety can cause your body to become tense and long-term anxiety can lead to persistent pain. You might experience stomach discomfort, muscle pain or diarrhea. Your gastrointestinal system can also be affected by the constant release of stress hormones, and this can lead to constipation, bloating and irritable bowel syndrome.
People suffering from panic disorders are at a higher chance of developing stomach problems. According to the American Psychiatric Association, panic attacks are sudden, intense feelings or fear of imminent death. They can happen in specific situations or without any reason. You might feel as if you're experiencing an attack of the heart or that you're unable to breathe, or you might experience chest pain and a rapid heartbeat.
Long-term anxiety may increase the risk of other health problems. The hormones responsible for fighting or flight that cause anxiety symptoms aid us in responding to danger and if you're constantly always on alert all the time, your immune system can suffer. This could make you more susceptible to the common cold, and other diseases.
Your doctor can diagnose anxiety disorders by conducting a an examination of your body and asking you about your symptoms. They will rule out other causes, such as thyroid or heart 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 relaxation techniques and work through any negative or traumatic 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
Many people are aware that a fast pulse and a hand that is jittery are indications of anxiety. However, they don't realize that muscle tension can be an indication of anxiety disorders such as generalized anxiety disorder or social anxiety disorder panic disorder, and certain phobias. If a person is experiencing these symptoms on a regular basis, they may begin to lose their range of motion and experience chronic pain in their neck, back and shoulders.
Tense muscles can be an indication of anxiety disorders as the body's fight or flight response triggers a series of responses that cause us to physically react when we sense danger. In moderate levels of anxiety, we trigger these reactions as part of our survival instincts however, they can also lead to long-term muscle problems when they happen frequently or over a long period of time.
When there is a real danger, your adrenal glands churn out hormones that speed up how fast your heart beats to ensure it can pump more blood to the massive muscles in your legs and arms in case you need to flee or fight the danger. The increased heart rates also increase the speed at which your lungs fill up with oxygen. This combination of increased stress and hyperventilation could make you feel lightheaded or dizzy.
If you suffer from an anxiety disorder, however your body isn't able to its normal state of rest between stress-related responses. You are constantly anxious throughout the day because of your anxiety disorder, which is why you keep your sympathetic nervous system on alert. According to the American Psychological Association, this can lead to chronic muscle tension and lasting pain. It can also affect your digestive system, which can cause stomachaches, constipation, diarrhea, or irritable bowel syndrome.
4. Dizziness
You may be shaky or unbalanced if you are anxious. 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 worries or scares you, but then relaxes once the threat passes. If you are experiencing these symptoms often and your anxiety is persistent it could be that you suffer from an anxiety disorder.
When you're worried frequently, it can be hard to focus or get enough sleep. It also affects your body and can cause you to gain weight, as per the Cleveland Clinic. Anxiety also has a major effect on your menstrual cycle. According to the American Psychological Association, anxiety can cause you to miss your periods or have irregular cycles by altering hormones that trigger ovulation.
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 reduce your risk. If you suffer from these conditions, be sure to tell your therapist.
Other factors that increase the risk of anxiety are traumatic events such as being involved in a car crash or having surgery. Anxiety can be triggered by a chronic illness like asthma or diabetes or a recurring medical health condition. The good news is that there are solutions which can alleviate anxiety issues. They include psychotherapy, also known as talk therapy, for instance 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 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 rate to rise and your stomach to become upset and your muscles to become tight. These symptoms alone aren't enough to cause anxiety disorder however, when they become chronic, they can cause problems. You might also experience sweating, chills and other physical symptoms that prompt you to seek medical treatment.
Sweating is a common physical manifestation of anxiety disorders according to the National Institute of Mental Health. When your body's "fight-or-flight" response kicks in, it increases your blood circulation rate to prepare you for battle. This increase in heart rate can cause you to feel dizzy and breathless. 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 a feeling that you are unable to breathe. This could be a sign that your anxiety has become too severe to manage.
Your doctor will determine if you suffer from an anxiety disorder by evaluating your symptoms and how they affect your daily routine. They'll begin by asking about your previous experiences and your current concerns. They might also conduct tests to check for other health problems that could be contributing to your symptoms, including bloodwork and imaging scanners. In some cases, they might recommend medications to ease your symptoms, such as strong antiperspirants containing aluminium, nerve-blocking medications or botulinum toxins type A (Botox) injections in the sweat glands. Alternative treatments include cognitive behavior therapy, psychotherapy, and relaxation techniques like yoga or meditation.