Anxiety Disorder Physical Symptoms: 10 Things I'd Like To Have Learned Earlier
Physical Symptoms of Anxiety Disorder
Everyone experiences anxiety from time to time, when anxiety becomes a problem, it can cause physical symptoms as well as emotional ones. They can be characterized by a feeling of anxiety, muscle tension, and stomach problems.
A psychiatrist, psychologist or therapist may use screening tools to determine whether you suffer from anxiety disorders. They will also ask about your medical history and run tests to rule other health conditions that may cause similar symptoms.
1. Headaches
The majority of people experience anxiety from time to times. But that's different from having an anxiety disorder that is, when the feelings are more frequent or don't disappear. Anxiety can also affect your daily routine and cause you to avoid social situations.
Headaches are a typical physical symptom associated with anxiety. They can range from a tension headache2 up to a complete migraine in some people. Many people tense up their muscles in a fight or flight response, and holding them rigidly for a long duration can cause pain.
Lightheadedness or dizziness is another physical sign of anxiety. This can be caused by rapid heart rate, hyperventilating or a combination of both. It could be a sign you are suffering from an underlying medical condition such as heart disease. Talk to your doctor to determine.
You may also feel weak, especially in your legs or arms. This could be a sign of stress. This is because your nervous system releases adrenaline and cortisol which aids in responding to danger by speeding up your heartbeat and preparing your entire body for an attack. In time, however, those hormones can have the opposite impact on your health and can make you feel shaky, weak, or dizzy.
If you have trouble getting enough rest due to anxiety, it could make your symptoms worse. Relax before going to bed and stick to the same routine. This will allow you to get more sleep. Exercise can also be beneficial. Aerobic exercise can release brain chemicals that cut stress and boost your mood, and it can aid in falling asleep more easily. If you're still having trouble sleeping, talk to your doctor about possible treatment options.
2. Stomach problems
Anxiety can cause your body to become tense and long-term anxiety can cause chronic pain. There may be stomach discomfort, muscle pain or diarrhea. The digestive system of your body can be affected by the constant release of stress hormones, and this could lead to constipation, bloating, or irritable bowel syndrome.
It is possible to experience stomach problems when you suffer from any anxiety disorder, but people with panic disorders are more likely to have them. Panic attacks are sudden, intense feelings of fear or dread that occur in specific situations or for no reason according to the American Psychiatric Association. It could feel like you're experiencing a heart attack or that you cannot breathe. You may also experience chest pains and a rapid pulse.
Long-term anxiety can increase your risk of other health issues, too. The hormones that trigger anxiety symptoms help us respond to a threat however, if you're in high alert throughout the day, your immune system can suffer. This could make you more vulnerable to catching the common cold as well as other ailments.
Your doctor is able to diagnose anxiety disorders with physical examination and a discussion about your symptoms. They will rule out other reasons, such as heart disease or thyroid problems prior to determining you have anxiety. A mental health professional will be able to provide assistance and support in managing your symptoms. They can assist you in learning techniques for relaxation and work through any underlying negative or traumatic experiences that might have contributed to your anxiety. They can also assist you to find a treatment option that is suitable for you. Ask your doctor to refer you, or look online for directories that feature an anxiety specialist.
3. Muscle tension
While the majority of people know that a racing heart and hands that are jittery are indicators of anxiety, many don't realize that chronic tension in the muscles is a sign of anxiety disorders like generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) as well as social anxiety disorder (SAD) panic disorder, or specific phobias. If someone is experiencing these symptoms on a regular basis they may lose their range of motion and feel constant pain in their back, neck and shoulders.
Tense muscles are a common symptom of anxiety disorder because the body's fight-or flight response triggers a series 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 however, they can lead to long-term muscle problems when they occur regularly or over a long period of time.
If a risk is present your adrenal glands release 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 that you have to flee or fight. Those increased heart rates also boost how quickly your lungs are filled with oxygen. This combination of increased stress and hyperventilation could make you feel dizzy or lightheaded.
When you have an anxiety disorder, your body isn't able to its normal state of relaxation between stress reactions. Your anxiety disorder makes you be 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 can cause stomach pains, constipation, diarrhea, or irritable bowel syndrome.
4. Dizziness
If you're a stressed-out person you might feel dizzy and off balance. The reason for this has to relate to the nervous system's response to anxiety. If you are stressed or scared, your body tenses and then it relaxes. If, however, your anxiety is chronic and you experience these symptoms frequently you may be diagnosed with an anxiety disorder .
It can be difficult to fall asleep or concentrate when you are constantly stressed. According to the Cleveland Clinic, it can also cause your body to suffer, and you may gain weight. Anxiety also has a major impact on your menstrual cycle. According to the American Psychological Association, anxiety can cause you to skip your menstrual cycle or have irregular cycles by altering hormones that trigger the ovulation.
High blood pressure or heart disease could make you more susceptible to anxiety, and it's essential to bring these medical conditions under control to decrease your risk. Tell your therapist if you suffer from any of these ailments.
Other factors that increase your risk of anxiety are traumatic events such as being involved in a car crash or having surgery. Anxiety can be caused by chronic illnesses, like asthma or diabetes, or a recurring medical health condition. The good news is that there are treatments that can help with anxiety disorders. They include psychotherapy or talk therapy, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which teaches you to turn negative thoughts and behaviors that trigger anxiety into positive ones. You can also learn to practice relaxation techniques, such as meditation or deep breathing. You can supplement your diet with supplements to relax your mind and body.
5. Sweating
Anxiety is a term used to describe for a range of threatening feelings that can make your heart race and your stomach ache, as well as your muscles tense. Sometimes, these symptoms aren't enough to constitute anxiety disorder, but when they're ongoing they can become out of control. You may also experience sweating, chills and other physical symptoms that prompt you to seek medical care.
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 boosts the rate of blood circulation to prepare you for battle. The increased heart rate may make you 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.
Dyspnea is a feeling that you can't breathe. It's a sign that your anxiety has become too intense to manage.
Your doctor will evaluate you for an anxiety disorder in light of your symptoms and how they impact your daily activities. They'll start by asking you about your previous experiences and current concerns. They might also conduct tests to determine if there are any other health issues that may be causing them, like imaging scans and blood tests. In some instances they may recommend medication to alleviate 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 psychotherapy, cognitive therapy and relaxation techniques like meditation or yoga.