The 10 Most Infuriating Anxiety Disorder Physical Symptoms Failures Of All Time Could've Been Prevented
Physical Symptoms of Anxiety Disorder
While everyone feels anxious at times If anxiety develops into a problem, it can cause physical symptoms as well as emotional ones. This can include a feeling of restlessness, muscular tension, stomach issues and more.
A psychiatrist, psychologist or therapist uses screening tools to determine if you suffer from anxiety disorders . They will also inquire about your medical history, and will run tests to rule out other medical conditions that could cause similar symptoms.
1. Headaches
The majority of people have anxiety from time to time. However, this is different from having an anxiety disorder which is when the symptoms are more frequent or do not disappear. Anxiety can also impact your daily routine and make you avoid social situations.
One of the most common physical symptoms of anxiety is headaches. They can range from a tension headache2 to a complete migraine in some people. A lot of people tighten their muscles as part of their fight-or-flight response, and retaining them rigidly for a long time could cause pain.
Another physical sign of anxiety is lightheadedness or dizziness. This can be due to an increased heart rate, hyperventilating, or the combination of both. It can also be an indication of a major medical problem such as heart disease, so it's important to get checked by your physician.
You may also feel weak, especially in your arms or legs. This could be a 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 the entire body for a potential attack. However, over time, those hormones may have a negative effect on your health, and could cause you to feel shakey, weak, or dizzy.
If you're having difficulty getting enough sleep due to anxiety, it can cause your symptoms to get worse. Relax before bed and follow your routine. This will allow you to get more rest. Exercise can be beneficial. Exercise can also aid. Talk to your doctor If you're still having trouble sleeping.
2. Stomach problems
Anxiety can cause your body to become tense and long-term anxiety can lead to persistent pain. Your muscles could hurt or your stomach may be irritable, or you may develop diarrhea. Stress hormones can also impact your gastrointestinal system, leading to constipation or irritable bowel syndrome.
People suffering from panic disorders are at a higher chance of developing stomach problems. Panic attacks are sudden, intense feelings of fear or dread that happen in specific circumstances or for no apparent reason according to the American Psychiatric Association. It could feel like you're experiencing a heart attack or that you are unable to breathe. You may also experience chest pains or an extremely rapid pulse.
Chronic anxiety increases your risk of other health problems also. The fight-or-flight hormones that cause anxiety symptoms assist us in responding to a threat and if you're constantly always on alert throughout the day, your immune system can suffer. This can make you more prone to common colds, and other illnesses.
Your doctor can diagnose anxiety disorders by conducting a physical examination and a discussion about your symptoms. They can rule out any other reasons, such as thyroid issues or heart disease before determining that you suffer from anxiety. A mental health professional will 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 might have led to anxiety. They can also assist you to find a treatment option that is suitable for you. Ask your doctor for a referral or browse online therapist directories to locate a specialist in anxiety.
3. Muscle tension
Although most people are aware that a racing heart and hands that are jittery are indicators of anxiety, a lot of people don't realize that chronic tension in the muscles is a indication of anxiety disorders such as generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), social anxiety disorder (SAD), panic disorder, or even specific phobias. If someone is experiencing these symptoms frequently they could lose their mobility and experience persistent pain in their neck, back and shoulders.
Tense muscles are a typical symptom of anxiety disorder because the body's fight-or-flight response triggers a chain of bodily reactions that trigger us to physically react to perceived threats. A moderate level of anxiety triggers these reactions as part of our instinctual survival instinct however, they can also lead to long-term muscle problems when they happen frequently or over a long period of time.
When a real threat occurs, your adrenal glands churn out hormones that speed up how fast your heart beats so that it can pump more blood to the large muscles in your arms and legs in case you need to escape or fight the threat. The increased heart rate can increase the speed at which your lungs are filled with oxygen. The combination of stress and hyperventilation may make you feel dizzy or lightheaded.
If you suffer from an anxiety disorder, however your body isn't able to return to its normal state of rest between stress-related responses. You feel anxious throughout the day because of your anxiety disorder, so you keep your sympathetic nervous system on high alert. According to the American Psychological Association, this can lead to chronic muscle tension and long-term pain. It can also affect your digestive system, which could cause stomach pains, constipation, diarrhea, or irritable bowel syndrome.
4. Dizziness
If you're an anxious person you may be shaky and unbalanced. This is because of 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 experience these symptoms often and your anxiety is persistent it could be that you suffer from an anxiety disorder.
It can be difficult to fall asleep or concentrate when you are always worried. According to the Cleveland Clinic, it can also cause your body to suffer and you could gain weight. Anxiety can also have a significant impact on your menstrual cycle. It's because it could cause you to skip or have irregular periods by affecting the release of ovulation-inducing hormones, according to the American Psychological Association.
High blood pressure or heart disease may make you more susceptible to anxiety, which is why it's crucial to get these medical problems under control to decrease your risk. If you're suffering from any of these conditions, make sure to tell your therapist.
Other factors that increase the risk of anxiety are traumatic experiences, such as being in a car crash or having surgery. Anxiety can be caused by a chronic illness, such as diabetes or asthma or a recurring medical illness. The good news is that there are treatments that can help with anxiety disorders. They include psychotherapy, also known as talk therapy, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) which helps you turn negative anxiety-inducing thoughts and behaviors into positive ones. You can also learn how to practice relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing or meditation. Additionally, there are supplements you can take to relax your body and mind.
5. Sweating
Anxiety is an umbrella term for a range of daunting feelings that can make your heart race and your stomach ache, as well as your muscles tight. Sometimes, these symptoms aren't enough to cause anxiety disorder, but when they're ongoing and become out of control. You may also experience chills, sweating and other physical symptoms that cause you to seek medical care.
The habit of sweating is a common symptom of anxiety disorders, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. When your body's fight or flight response is activated, it increases the speed of blood circulation to prepare you for fighting or escape. This increase in heart rate could cause you to feel dizzy or 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.
This imbalance may also lead to a feeling of not being able to breathe, which is called dyspnea. It's a sign that your anxiety is getting too overwhelming to manage.
Your healthcare provider will determine if you have an anxiety disorder by looking at your symptoms and how they affect your daily life. They'll begin by asking you about your experiences in the past and current concerns. They might also conduct tests to look for other health issues that may be causing them, like imaging scans and blood tests. In some instances, they might recommend medications to ease your symptoms, including strong antiperspirants that contain aluminium, nerve-blocking drugs, or botulinum toxin type A (Botox) injections around the sweat glands. Alternative treatments include cognitive behavior therapy, psychotherapy, and techniques for relaxation such as yoga or meditation.