20 Insightful Quotes About Anxiety Disorder Physical Symptoms
Physical Symptoms of Anxiety Disorder
While everyone feels anxious at times, when anxiety becomes an illness, it can trigger physical symptoms as well as emotional ones. This can include a feeling of agitation, muscle tension, stomach issues and more.
A psychologist, psychiatrist or therapist will employ screening tools to determine if you suffer from anxiety disorders. They will also ask about your medical history, and conduct tests to rule out other health conditions that may cause similar symptoms.
1. Headaches
Most people feel anxious occasionally. An anxiety disorder is when these symptoms are continuous or more frequent. Anxiety can also affect your daily routine and make it difficult to participate in social situations.
Headaches are a common physical symptom associated with anxiety. They can range from the average tension headache2 to a full-blown migraine in some people. Many people tense up their muscles in a fight-or-flight reaction, and holding them rigidly for a long duration can cause pain.
Lightheadedness or dizziness is another physical symptom of anxiety. This could be due to a fast heart rate, hyperventilating, or a combination of both. It could be a sign you have a serious medical condition like heart disease. Consult your doctor to find out.
You might be feeling weak in your arms or legs this could be another sign of anxiety. This is because your nervous system releases adrenaline and cortisol, which helps you respond to danger by speeding up the heartbeat and preparing your body for an attack. As time passes the hormones could have a negative impact on your health, making you feel weak, shakey or dizzy.
There are times when you may experience more symptoms if you're anxious and have difficulty sleeping. Try to relax before bed and follow a regular routine to rest better. Exercise can be beneficial. A vigorous aerobic workout can release brain chemicals that cut stress and improve your mood, and it can assist you in falling asleep faster. Consult your physician If you're still struggling to sleep.
2. Stomach problems
Anxiety can cause the body to tense up, and chronic anxiety can lead to persistent pain. You may experience stomach pain, muscle aches or diarrhea. Stress hormones can also affect your digestive system, causing constipation or irritable bowel syndrome.
There are stomach issues that can be experienced with any type of anxiety disorder, but those who suffer from panic disorders are more likely to have these issues. Panic attacks are sudden sensations of terror or impending doom that occur in specific situations or without explanation according to the American Psychiatric Association. You may feel like you're experiencing an attack on your heart or you're not breathing, and you may experience chest pain and a rapid heartbeat.
Long-term anxiety can increase your risk of other health problems as well. The hormones that cause anxiety symptoms allow us to respond to a danger however, if we're always on alert our immune system may be affected. This could make you more prone to the common cold, and other diseases.
Your doctor can diagnose anxiety disorders through a an examination of your body and asking you about your symptoms. They can rule out any other causes, such as heart disease or thyroid problems prior to determining you have anxiety. A mental health professional will be able to offer you assistance and assist in managing your symptoms. They can also teach relaxation techniques and help you deal with any trauma or negative experiences that might have led to anxiety. They can also assist you to determine the best treatment option that is appropriate for you. Ask your doctor to refer you to one or look online for directories that feature an anxiety specialist.
3. Muscle tension
While the majority of people know that a heart racing and hands that are jittery are indicators of anxiety, many don't realize that muscle tension can be a physical indicator of anxiety disorders such as generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) as well as social anxiety disorder (SAD) or panic disorder, or even specific phobias. If someone is suffering from these symptoms regularly they could lose their range and feel constant discomfort in their neck, back and shoulders.
Tense muscles may be a symptom of anxiety disorders because the body's fight or flight response triggers a series of bodily reactions that result in us physically reacting when we feel threatened. These responses are a natural part of our survival instincts however, they can cause long-term problems if they are repeated over a long time.
If a real risk is present, your adrenal glands produce hormones that boost the speed of your heartbeat, so that more blood can be delivered to the muscles of your legs or arms in the event you need to run away or fight. Those increased heart rates also boost how quickly your lungs are filled with oxygen. This combination of heightened stress and hyperventilation can make you feel lightheaded or dizzy.
If you suffer from an anxiety disorder, your body isn't able to return to its normal state of rest between stress-related responses. You are constantly anxious all the while due to your anxiety disorder, which is why you keep your sympathetic nervous system on high alert. According to the American Psychological Association, this can lead to chronic muscle tensing and long-term pain. It can also affect your digestive system, which may cause stomach pains constipation, diarrhea, or irritable bowel syndrome.
4. Dizziness
You may feel dizzy or out of balance in the event of anxiety. This is because of the nervous system's response to anxiety. The body gets tense when you think of something that worries or scares you, and then it relaxes after the threat has passed. If, however, your anxiety is recurring and you are experiencing these symptoms often you may be diagnosed with an anxiety disorder.
It can be difficult to fall asleep or concentrate when you are constantly worried. It also wreaks havoc on your body and can cause you to gain weight, as per the Cleveland Clinic. Anxiety can also have a significant influence on the menstrual cycle. According to the American Psychological Association, anxiety can cause you skip periods or have irregular cycles by affecting hormones that induce menstrual ovulation.
Having high blood pressure or heart disease may increase your risk of anxiety, so it's important to get these medical issues under control to decrease your risk. Inform your therapist if you have any of these conditions.
Other factors that increase the risk of anxiety are traumatic experiences such as being involved in a car crash or having surgery. A chronic medical condition such as asthma or an ongoing health issue, such as diabetes, can also cause anxiety. The good news is that there are solutions that can help with anxiety issues. They include psychotherapy, also known as talk therapy, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) that helps you 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 an umbrella term for a range of frightening feelings that could cause your heart to beat, your stomach upset and your muscles tense. These feelings alone are not enough to cause anxiety disorders but when they become chronic, they can be a problem. You might also experience sweating, chills and other physical symptoms that prompt you to seek medical attention.
The habit of sweating is a common sign of anxiety disorders, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. When your body's fight-or flight response kicks in, it increases the speed of blood circulation to prepare you for fighting or escape. The increased heart rate can 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 refers to a feeling that you can't breathe. This could be a sign that your anxiety has grown too severe to handle.
Your healthcare provider will determine if you suffer from anxiety disorders by analyzing your symptoms and how they impact your daily routine. They'll begin by asking you about your previous experiences and your current concerns. They may also conduct tests to identify other health issues that could be causing the symptoms, such as bloodwork and imaging scans. In some instances, they may suggest medications to ease symptoms. These include powerful antiperspirants that contain aluminium and other drugs that block nerves and Botox injections around sweat glands. Alternative treatments include psychotherapy, cognitive therapy, and relaxation techniques such as meditation or yoga.