25 Unexpected Facts About Anxiety Disorder Physical Symptoms

Physical Symptoms of Anxiety Disorder

Every person experiences anxiety at some point, but when anxiety becomes an illness, it can trigger physical as well as emotional symptoms. They can be characterized by a feeling of anxiety, muscle tension, stomach issues and more.

A psychiatrist, psychologist or therapist utilizes screening tools to determine whether you suffer from anxiety disorder. 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

Many people experience anxiety from time to times. An What Anxiety Disorder Feels Like disorder is when these symptoms are persistent or more frequent. Anxiety can also affect your daily life and make it difficult to participate in social situations.

One of the most common physical symptoms of anxiety is headaches. They can range from the average tension headache2 to a full-blown migraine in some people. This is because a lot of people tighten their muscles as part of their fight-or-flight response, and holding those muscles in a rigid position for long periods of time can lead to pain.3

Lightheadedness or dizziness are another physical sign of anxiety. This could be due to rapid heart rate, hyperventilating or the combination of both. It could also be a sign that you have a serious medical condition like heart disease. Talk to your doctor to determine.

You may be feeling weak, especially in your legs or arms. This could be a sign of anxiety. This is because the nervous system releases adrenaline and cortisol which allow you to respond to a threat by increasing your heart rate and getting your body ready for an attack. Over time, however, those hormones may have a negative effect on your health, and can make you feel shaky, weak, or dizzy.

If you are having trouble getting enough sleep due to anxiety, it could make your symptoms worse. Relax before bed and follow your routine. This will allow you to get more rest. Exercise can also be helpful. Brisk aerobic activity can release brain chemicals that cut stress and boost your mood. It can aid in falling asleep more easily. Consult your physician If you're still having trouble sleeping.

2. Stomach issues

anxiety disorders wikipedia can cause the body to become tense and long-term anxiety disorder blood pressure can cause chronic pain. Your muscles may ache or your stomach may be irritable, or you may get diarrhea. Stress hormones can also impact the digestive system, causing constipation or irritablebowel syndrome.

People with panic disorders have greater chance of developing stomach problems. Panic attacks are sudden sensations of terror or impending doom that can occur in certain situations or for no reason according to the American Psychiatric Association. It could feel like you're experiencing an attack on your heart or you're unable to breathe, or you might experience chest pain and a rapid heartbeat.

Long-term anxiety can also increase your chances of developing other health problems. The fight-or-flight hormones that cause anxiety symptoms aid us in responding to threats, but if you're in high alert all the time your immune system could be affected. This can make you more susceptible to getting the common cold as well as other ailments.

Your doctor can diagnose anxiety disorders by conducting physical examination and a conversation about your symptoms. Before diagnosing anxiety, they'll rule out other causes like thyroid and heart diseases. A mental health professional will also be able to offer you assistance and support in managing your symptoms. They can teach you relaxation techniques and assist you to deal with any trauma or negative experiences that could have triggered your anxiety. They can also assist you to find a treatment option that is appropriate 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 heart racing and hands that feel jittery are signs of anxiety, many don't realize that chronic muscle tension is a physical indicator of anxiety disorder zoloft disorders such as generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) or social anxiety disorders types disorder (SAD) panic disorder, or certain fears. When a person suffers from these symptoms frequently they may lose their range of motion and suffer from chronic pain 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 responses that trigger us to physically react when we feel threatened. A moderate level of anxiety triggers these reactions as part of our survival instincts, but they can cause long-term muscle issues when they happen frequently or over a prolonged period of time.

If a risk is present your adrenal glands release hormones that increase the speed of your heartbeat to ensure that more blood can be delivered to the muscles of your legs or arms in the event you need to run away or fight. These increased heart rates also increase the speed of your lungs filling up with oxygen. The combination of increased tension 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-related responses. You feel anxious throughout the day because of the anxiety disorder, and you keep your sympathetic nervous system on alert. This leads to the continuous tension of your muscles, which may eventually lead to chronic pain, according to the American Psychological Association. It can also affect your digestive system, which may cause stomach pain and constipation, diarrhea or irritable bowel syndrome.

4. Dizziness

If you're a stressed-out person, you may often feel dizzy and off balance. This is because of the nervous system's response to anxiety. When you are worried or scared, your body tenses and then relaxes. However, if your anxiety is recurring and you are experiencing these symptoms often you could be diagnosed with an anxiety disorder.

It can be difficult to sleep or focus when you are constantly 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 impact on your menstrual cycle. According to the American Psychological Association, anxiety can cause you skip periods or experience irregular menstrual cycles by altering hormones that cause ovulation.

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 reduce your risk. If you suffer from these conditions, make sure to inform your therapist.

Experiences that are traumatizing, such as a car crash or surgery may also increase your anxiety risk. A chronic medical condition such as asthma or a chronic health issue like diabetes can trigger anxiety. The good news is that there are treatments that can help with anxiety disorders. They include psychotherapy, or talk therapy, like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) that helps you transform negative thoughts and behaviors that trigger anxiety into positive ones. You can also learn relaxation techniques like deep breathing and meditation. You can also take supplements to calm your body and mind.

5. Sweating

Anxiety is a term that encompasses an array of emotions that can cause your heart rate to rise, your stomach to upset and your muscles to become tight. Oftentimes, these feelings aren't enough to constitute anxiety disorder--but when they're chronic and get out of hand. You might also experience sweating, chills and other physical symptoms which prompt you to seek medical attention.

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 kicks in it boosts the speed of blood circulation to prepare you for combat. The increased heart rate can cause you to feel exhausted and 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 can cause the feeling of not being able to breathe or breathe, which is known as dyspnea. This is a sign your anxiety has grown too severe to handle.

Your doctor will determine if you suffer from an anxiety disorder by evaluating your symptoms and how they impact your daily routine. You'll be asked about your past experiences as well as your current concerns. They may also conduct tests to look for other health issues that could be causing the symptoms, such as imaging scans and blood tests. In some instances they may suggest medications to help ease your symptoms, such as strong antiperspirants that contain aluminium, nerve-blocking drugs for social anxiety disorder or botulinum toxin type A (Botox) injections in the sweat glands. Alternative treatments include psychotherapy, cognitive behavior therapy and relaxation techniques such as meditation or yoga.