7 Simple Changes That Will Make A Big Difference In Your Anxiety Disorder Physical Symptoms
Physical Symptoms of Anxiety Disorder
Everyone experiences anxiety at times however, when anxiety develops into an illness, it can trigger physical as well as emotional symptoms. This can include a feeling of anxiety, muscle tension and stomach problems.
A psychiatrist, psychologist, or therapist uses screening tools to determine whether you suffer from anxiety disorders. They will also ask about your medical history, and conduct tests to rule out other medical conditions that could cause similar symptoms.
1. Headaches
Most people feel anxious at times. An anxiety disorder is when these feelings are continuous or more frequent. Anxiety can affect your daily life or cause you to avoid social situations.1
A common physical symptom of anxiety are headaches. They can range from a tension headache2 up to a complete migraine in some individuals. This is due to the fact that many people tense their bodies in response to the fight or flight response, and holding those muscles rigidly for long periods of time can cause pain.3
Another symptom of anxiety is lightheadedness or dizziness. This could be caused by a rapid heart rate, hyperventilating, or a combination. It could be a sign you are suffering from an underlying medical condition such as heart disease. Consult your doctor to determine.
You might also feel weak, especially in your arms or legs. This could be a sign of stress. This is because your nervous system releases adrenaline and cortisol which help you react to danger by speeding up your heartbeat and preparing the entire body for an attack. However, over time these hormones can have a negative impact on your health and could cause you to feel shakey and weak or dizzy.
If you're having difficulty getting enough sleep due to anxiety, it could cause your symptoms to get worse. Relax before bed and stick to the same routine. This will help you get more rest. Exercise can be beneficial. A vigorous aerobic workout can release brain chemicals that can reduce stress and improve your mood. It can aid in falling asleep more easily. If you still have difficulties sleeping, consult your doctor about options for treatment.
2. Stomach issues
Anxiety can cause the body to tighten up, and chronic anxiety can cause pain that persists for a long time. There may be muscle aches, stomach discomfort or diarrhea. Stress hormones can also impact the digestive system, causing constipation or irritable bowel syndrome.
You can experience stomach issues in any anxiety disorder, but people who suffer from panic disorders are more likely to experience them. According to the American Psychiatric Association, panic attacks are sudden sensations or fear of imminent doom. They can occur in specific circumstances or without apparent reason. You might feel as if you're experiencing a heart attack or that you are unable to breathe. You might also experience chest pains and an extremely rapid pulse.
Chronic anxiety can increase your chances of developing other health problems. The hormones responsible for fighting or flight that cause anxiety symptoms assist us in responding to danger, but if you're in high alert all the time your immune system could suffer. This can make you more prone to getting the common cold as well as other illnesses.
Your doctor can diagnose anxiety disorders by conducting a a physical exam and interviewing you about your symptoms. Before diagnosing anxiety, they will determine if there are other causes like thyroid or heart problems. A mental health professional will also be able to provide assistance and support in managing your symptoms. They can teach you relaxation techniques and help you work through any underlying trauma or negative experiences that may have caused anxiety. They can also aid you in locating the best treatment for you. Ask your doctor for a referral or check online therapist directories to find a therapist who is an expert in anxiety.
3. Muscle tension
While the majority of people know that a racing heart and hands that are jittery are indicators of anxiety, many people do not 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), panic disorder, or certain phobias. If a person is experiencing these symptoms frequently they may lose their range of motion and experience persistent discomfort in their neck, back and shoulders.
Tense muscles are a common sign of anxiety disorders because the body's fight-or-flight response triggers a chain of reactions that cause us to physically react to perceived threats. A moderate level of anxiety triggers these responses as part of our instinctual survival instinct, but they can cause long-term problems with muscles when they happen frequently or over a prolonged period of time.
If a risk is present the adrenal glands produce hormones that speed up the rate of your heartbeat, so that more blood is pumped to your large muscles in your arms or legs in the event you need to run away or fight. These increased heart rates also boost how quickly your lungs are filled with oxygen. This combination of increased stress and hyperventilation can cause you to feel lightheaded or dizzy.
When you have an anxiety disorder, however your body isn't able to return to its normal state of relaxation between stress responses. Your anxiety disorder makes you feel constantly anxious which means that your sympathetic nervous system remains in high alert. According to the American Psychological Association, this can cause chronic muscle tension and lasting pain. It can also affect your digestive system, which may cause stomach pains and constipation, diarrhea or irritable bowel syndrome.
4. Dizziness
If you're a stressed-out person you might be shaky and unbalanced. The reason for this is to relate to the nervous system's response to anxiety. If you are stressed or scared, your body tenses and then relaxes. If you experience these symptoms often and you feel your anxiety is chronic, you may have an anxiety disorder.
It is difficult to fall asleep or concentrate when you are constantly worried. It also wreaks havoc on your body, and could cause you to gain weight, per the Cleveland Clinic. Anxiety also has a major impact on your menstrual cycle. This is because it can cause you to miss or have irregular periods because it affects the release of ovulation-inducing hormones, according to the American Psychological Association.
Having high blood pressure or heart disease may make you more prone to anxiety, so it's important to get these medical issues under control to decrease your risk. If you suffer from these conditions, make sure to tell your therapist.
Other things that could increase the risk of anxiety are traumatic experiences such as being involved in a car accident or having surgery. A chronic medical condition such as asthma or a chronic health issue, such as diabetes, can also cause anxiety. There are treatments for anxiety disorders. They include psychotherapy, or talk therapy, like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which helps you transform negative thoughts and behaviors that trigger anxiety into positive ones. You can also learn relaxation techniques such as deep breathing and meditation. In addition there are supplements you can take to calm your mind and body.
5. Sweating
Anxiety is a term that refers to many different feelings that can cause your heart rate to rise and your stomach to ache and your muscles to tighten. These symptoms alone aren't enough to trigger anxiety disorder however, when they become chronic, it could become a problem. You may be experiencing chills, sweating and other physical symptoms that prompt you to seek medical care.
According to the National Institute of Mental Health The National Institute of Mental Health, sweating is a frequent physical manifestation of anxiety disorders. When your body's fight-or-flight response begins, it boosts the speed of blood circulation to prepare you for battle 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 could also cause the feeling of not being breathing, which is called dyspnea. This is a sign your anxiety has become too severe to handle.
Your healthcare provider will assess you for an anxiety disorder by looking at your symptoms and the way they impact your daily activities. They'll begin by asking about your experiences in the past and your current concerns. They might also conduct tests to identify other health problems that could be the cause of your symptoms, such as imaging scanners and blood tests. In some instances they may recommend medication to help ease your symptoms, such as powerful antiperspirants containing aluminium, nerve-blocking medications or botulinum toxins type A (Botox) injections in the sweat glands. Alternative treatments include psychotherapy, cognitive therapy and relaxation techniques like meditation or yoga.