Physical Symptoms of Anxiety Disorder
Although everyone experiences anxiety from time to time When anxiety becomes a disorder it can cause physical symptoms, as well as emotional ones. They can be characterized by a feeling of anxiety, muscle tension, stomach issues and more.
A psychiatrist, psychologist, or therapist uses screening tools to determine whether you suffer from anxiety disorders. They will also inquire about your medical history, and run tests to rule other health conditions which may cause similar symptoms.
1. Headaches
Many people feel anxious at times. An anxiety disorder occurs when these feelings are persistent or more frequent. Anxiety can also affect your everyday life or cause you to avoid social situations.1
Headaches are a typical physical symptom of 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 could cause pain.
Dizziness or lightheadedness is another physical symptom of anxiety. It could be due to a rapid heart rate, hyperventilating or a combination. It could be a sign you are suffering from a serious medical condition like heart disease. Talk to your doctor to determine.
You may also feel weak, especially in your arms or legs. This could be a sign of stress. This is because your nervous system releases cortisol and adrenaline, which helps you respond to a danger by speeding up your heartbeat and preparing your body for an attack. However, over time these hormones may have a negative effect on your health, and may cause you to feel weak, shaky or weak. You may also feel dizzy, weak, or weak.
There are times when you may experience more symptoms if your stressed and are having trouble sleeping. Relax before going to bed and follow a routine. This will help you get more rest. Exercise can also be helpful. Exercise can also aid. If you still have difficulties sleeping, consult your doctor about options for treatment.
2. Stomach issues
The body tightens up in response to anxiety, and if you suffer from chronic anxiety, it can result in persistent discomfort. Your muscles might ache or your stomach may feel a bit sluggish, or you could develop diarrhea. Stress hormones can affect your digestive system, leading to constipation or irritablebowel syndrome.
It is possible to experience stomach problems when you suffer from any anxiety disorder, but people who suffer from panic disorders are more likely to suffer from these issues. According to the American Psychiatric Association, panic attacks are sudden, intense feelings or fear of imminent danger. They can occur in specific situations or without a reason. It could feel like you are having a heartattack or that you cannot breathe. You might also experience chest pains and a rapid pulse.
Chronic anxiety can increase your risk for other health problems also. The hormones responsible for fighting or flight that cause anxiety symptoms aid us in responding to a threat however, if you're always on alert throughout the day your immune system could be affected. best medicine for anxiety disorder could make you more susceptible to the common cold, and other ailments.
Your doctor can diagnose anxiety disorders through a an examination of your body and asking you about your symptoms. Before diagnosing anxiety, they will determine if there are other causes such as heart disease and thyroid problems. A mental health professional can provide support and assistance to manage your symptoms. They can help you learn relaxation techniques and work through any underlying negative or traumatic experiences that might have contributed to anxiety. They can also assist you to identify a treatment plan that is appropriate for you. Ask your doctor to refer you or look online for directories that feature an anxiety specialist.
3. Muscle tension
Many people are aware that a racing pulse and a hand that is jittery are indications of anxiety. However, they don't realize that chronic muscle tension could be an indication of anxiety disorders, such as generalized anxiety disorder or social anxiety disorder panic disorder, and certain fears. If someone is suffering from these symptoms on a regular basis they may lose their range and suffer from chronic pain in their back, neck and shoulders.
Tense muscles can be a symptom of anxiety disorders because the body's fight or flight response triggers a sequence of reactions which trigger us to physically react when we feel threatened. These responses are a natural part of our survival instincts however, they can lead to long-term issues if they're repeated over a long period of time.
If a real risk is present the adrenal glands produce hormones that boost the speed of your heartbeat, so that more blood can be delivered to the muscles of your arms or legs in the event you have to escape or fight. Those increased heart rates also increase the speed at which your lungs fill with oxygen. The combination of stress and hyperventilation may cause you to feel dizzy or lightheaded.
If you suffer from an anxiety-related condition, your body is unable to return to its normal state between stress responses. The anxiety disorder causes you to be constantly anxious, so your sympathetic nervous system stays at a high level of alert. This causes the constant tension in your muscles that could eventually result in long-term 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 may be shaky or unbalanced when you are stressed. The reason is to be due to the nervous system's response to anxiety. The body gets tense whenever you think about something that scares or worries you, but then relaxes after the threat has passed. However, if your anxiety is chronic and you experience these symptoms frequently you could be diagnosed with an anxiety disorder.
It can be difficult to fall asleep or concentrate when you're always worried. According to the Cleveland Clinic, it can also cause your body to suffer and you may gain weight. Anxiety can also have a significant influence on the menstrual cycle. That's because it can cause you to skip or experience irregular menstrual cycles because it affects the release of hormones that induce ovulation, according to the American Psychological Association.
You are more prone to anxiety if you suffer from high blood pressure or heart problems. It's important to control these medical conditions to decrease your risk. If you have these conditions, be sure to inform your therapist.
A traumatic experience like a car crash or surgery can increase your anxiety risk. Anxiety can be triggered by a chronic illness, such as diabetes or asthma or a chronic medical condition. The good news is that there are solutions that can ease anxiety disorders. Talk therapy or psychotherapy like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can aid. CBT teaches you how to transform negative behavior patterns and thoughts that cause anxiety to positive ones. You can also learn relaxation techniques like deep breathing and meditation. Additionally there are supplements available to help calm your mind and body.
5. Sweating
Anxiety is a term that refers to a wide range of feelings that can cause your heart rate to rise and your stomach to ache and your muscles to tighten. Oftentimes, these feelings don't constitute an anxiety disorder, but when they're ongoing they can get out of hand. You may also experience sweating, chills and other physical symptoms that make you seek medical help.
According to the National Institute of Mental Health sweating is a typical physical manifestation of anxiety disorders. When your body's "fight-or-flight" response kicks in, it boosts the rate of blood circulation to prepare you for battle. This increased heart rate can 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 can also cause the feeling of not being breathing properly and is known as dyspnea. It's a sign that your anxiety is becoming too intense to manage.
Your doctor will determine if you suffer from anxiety disorders by analyzing your symptoms and how they impact your daily routine. You'll be asked about previous experiences as well as current concerns. They might also conduct tests to determine if there are any other health issues that may be causing them, such as imaging scans and blood tests. In certain instances they may recommend medication to help ease your symptoms, including strong 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 such as yoga or meditation.