10 Quick Tips About Anxiety Disorder Physical Symptoms
Physical Symptoms of Anxiety Disorder Every person experiences anxiety at some point however when anxiety turns into an illness, it can trigger physical as well as emotional symptoms. These include a sense of anxiety, muscle tension, stomach issues and more. A psychologist, psychiatrist or therapist will use screening tools to determine whether you suffer from an anxiety disorder. 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 feel anxious from time some point. But it's not the same as having an anxiety disorder, which is when the symptoms are more frequent or do not go away. Anxiety can affect your daily routine or cause you to avoid social situations.1 One of the most common physical symptoms of anxiety are headaches. They can range from the normal tension headache2 up to a complete migraine in a few people. A lot of people tighten their muscles as part of their fight-or-flight response, and retaining them in a rigid way for a prolonged time could cause pain. Lightheadedness or dizziness are another physical sign of anxiety. This can be caused by a fast heart rate, hyperventilating, or a combination of both. It can also be a sign of a serious medical issue like heart disease, which is why it is important to be checked by your doctor. You might also feel weak in your legs or arms this could be another sign of anxiety. This is because your nervous system releases adrenaline and cortisol, which helps you respond to a threat by speeding up the heartbeat and preparing the entire body for an attack. In time these hormones could have a negative impact on your health, making you feel weak, shakey or dizzy. You may experience worse symptoms if you are stressed and having difficulty sleeping. Try to take a break before bed and stick to a regular routine so that you can sleep better. Exercise is also 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 are still struggling to sleep. 2. Stomach problems Anxiety can cause the body to tense up and chronic anxiety may cause chronic pain. You might experience stomach pain, muscle aches or diarrhea. Your gastrointestinal system can also be affected by the constant release of stress hormones, which can cause constipation, bloating, or IBS. People who suffer from panic disorders are at greater risk of stomach problems. According to the American Psychiatric Association, panic attacks are sudden, intense feelings or a fear of imminent death. They can occur in specific circumstances or without any reason. You might feel as if you are having a heartattack or that you're unable to breathe. You may also experience chest pains, and an intense pulse. Chronic anxiety can increase your risk of other health problems. The hormones that cause anxiety symptoms allow us to respond to threats and if we're alert our immune system may be affected. This could make you more prone to common colds, and other diseases. Your doctor can diagnose anxiety disorders through an examination of your body and a conversation regarding your symptoms. Before diagnosing anxiety, they'll rule out other causes such as thyroid and heart diseases. A mental health professional can also provide assistance and support to manage your symptoms. They can assist you in learning relaxation techniques and help you work through any underlying traumas or negative experiences which might have contributed to anxiety. They can also assist you to find a treatment option that is right for you. Ask your doctor to refer you, or look online for directories that feature an anxiety specialist. 3. Muscle tension Although most people are aware that a racing heart and jittery hands are signs of anxiety, a lot of people don't realize that muscle tension can be a physical sign of anxiety disorders like generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) as well as social anxiety disorder (SAD) panic disorder, or even specific phobias. If a person suffers from these symptoms frequently they could begin to lose their range of motion and experience constant pain in the neck, back and shoulders. Tense muscles are a common manifestation of anxiety disorder since 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 natural survival instinct, but they can cause long-term problems with muscles when they happen frequently or over a long period of time. If a serious threat is present your adrenal glands pump out hormones that accelerate the speed at which your heart beats so that it can pump more blood to the large muscles in your legs and arms in case you need to flee or fight threat. Those increased heart rates also increase the speed at which your lungs fill with oxygen. The combination of stress and hyperventilation can make you feel lightheaded or dizzy. If you have an anxiety disorder your body is unable to return to its normal state between stress responses. Your anxiety disorder causes you to feel anxious all the time and your sympathetic nervous system stays at a high level of alert. This leads to the chronic tension of your muscles, which can eventually cause 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 might feel dizzy or off-balance when you are stressed. The reason is to do with the nervous system response to anxiety. Your body tenses up when you think about something that worries or scares you, and then relaxes when the threat is gone. If you are experiencing these symptoms frequently and your anxiety is chronic, you may have an anxiety disorder. It can be difficult to sleep or concentrate when you are 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 major influence on your menstrual cycles. According to the American Psychological Association, anxiety can cause you skip periods or have irregular cycles by affecting hormones that induce the ovulation. You can be more susceptible to anxiety if you suffer from high blood pressure or heart issues. It is important to manage these medical conditions to decrease your risk. If you're suffering from any of these conditions, make sure to inform your therapist. Other things that could increase the risk of anxiety are traumatizing experiences like being in a car crash or having surgery. A chronic medical condition such as asthma or an ongoing health issue like diabetes can also cause anxiety. The good news is that there are solutions that can ease anxiety disorders. They include psychotherapy, or talk therapy, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) that helps you turn negative anxiety-inducing thoughts and actions into positive ones. You can also learn to use relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing or meditation. In addition there are supplements that you can take to relax your body and mind. 5. Sweating Anxiety is a term that covers a wide range of feelings that can cause your heart to beat and your stomach to become upset and your muscles to become tight. Most of the time, these feelings aren't enough to cause anxiety disorder—but when they're chronic they can get out of hand. You might also experience sweating, chills or other physical symptoms which make you seek medical help. Sweating is a common physical symptom of anxiety disorders, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. When panic anxiety disorder -or-flight” response kicks in it increases your blood circulation rate to prepare you for combat. This increased 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. Dyspnea is a feeling that you are unable to breathe. This could be a sign that your anxiety has become too severe to manage. Your doctor will determine if you have anxiety disorders by analyzing your symptoms and how they impact your daily life. They'll begin by asking about your past experiences and current concerns. They might also conduct tests to determine if you have any other health issues that could be contributing to your symptoms, like imaging scanners and blood tests. In some cases they may prescribe medications to alleviate your symptoms. These include strong antiperspirants that contain aluminium or other substances that block nerves, or Botox injections to treat sweat glands. Alternative treatments include cognitive behavioral therapy, psychotherapy and relaxation techniques like yoga or meditation.