Physical Symptoms of Anxiety Disorder
Everyone experiences anxiety from time to time If anxiety develops into a disorder it can cause physical symptoms as well as emotional ones. This can include a feeling of agitation, muscle tension, and stomach problems.
A psychologist, psychiatrist, or therapist will use screening tools to determine whether 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
Many people feel anxious from time time. But it’s not the same as having an anxiety disorder that is, when the feelings are more frequent or don’t go away. Anxiety can also affect your daily routine and make it difficult to participate in social situations.
The most frequent physical sign of anxiety is headaches. They can range from an normal tension headache2 up to a full-blown migraine in some people. This is because many people tense their bodies as part of the fight-or-flight response and holding their muscles in a rigid position for long periods of time can cause pain.3
Another physical symptom of anxiety is lightheadedness or dizziness. This can be caused by a fast heart rate, hyperventilating or an amalgamation of both. It could also be a sign that you are suffering from an underlying medical condition such as heart disease. Consult your doctor to determine.
You may also feel weak in the legs or arms this could be another sign of anxiety disorders list. This is because the nervous system releases adrenaline and cortisol, which help you respond to a threat by increasing your heart rate and getting your body ready drugs for generalized anxiety disorder (Read A great deal more) a potential attack. However, over time, those hormones can have a negative impact on your health and can make you feel shaky and weak or dizzy.
If you are having trouble getting enough sleep because of anxiety disorder zoloft, it could make your symptoms worse. Relax before going to bed and follow your routine. This will help you get more sleep. Exercise can also be beneficial. Aerobic exercise can release brain chemicals that cut stress and boost your mood, and it can assist you in falling asleep faster. If you still have difficulty sleeping, speak to your doctor about treatment options.
2. Stomach issues
The body is tense when you are anxious, and if you suffer from chronic anxiety, it can cause constant pain. There may be muscle aches, stomach discomfort 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.
There are stomach issues that can be experienced in any anxiety disorder, however people who suffer from panic disorders are more likely to experience stomach issues. Panic attacks are sudden feelings 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 having a heart attack or that you’re not breathing, and you might have chest pain and a fast heartbeat.
Long-term anxiety can increase your risk of other health problems, too. The hormones that cause does anxiety disorder cause high blood pressure symptoms allow us to respond to a danger, but if we’re constantly on alert our immune system could be affected. This could make you more prone to getting the common cold as well as other ailments.
Your doctor is able to diagnose anxiety disorders with an examination of your body and a conversation regarding your symptoms. Before diagnosing anxiety, they’ll rule out other causes, such as thyroid or heart problems. A mental health professional will be able to offer you assistance and support in managing your symptoms. They can assist you in learning relaxation techniques and work through any traumas or negative experiences which might have contributed to your anxiety. They can also help you 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
Many people are aware that a racing pulse and a jittery hand are indicators of anxiety. However, they do not know that chronic muscle tension could be an indication of anxiety disorders like generalized anxiety disorder or social anxiety disorder panic disorder, and certain phobias. When a person is experiencing these symptoms on a regular basis they could begin to lose their range of motion and suffer from constant pain in the neck, back, and shoulders.
Tense muscles are an indication of anxiety disorders because the body’s fight or flight response triggers a range of bodily reactions that cause us to physically react when we sense danger. Moderate anxiety levels elicit these responses as part of our natural survival instinct however, they can cause long-term problems with muscles when they occur regularly or over a prolonged period of time.
If a serious threat is present, your adrenal glands churn out hormones that accelerate the speed at which your heart beats so that it can pump more blood to the large muscles in your arms and legs in the event that you need to flee or fight the threat. These increased heart rates also boost how quickly your lungs fill with oxygen. The combination of increased tension and hyperventilation could make you feel lightheaded or dizzy.
If you suffer from an anxiety disorder,, your body can’t return to its normal state of relaxation between stress responses. Your anxiety disorder makes you feel anxious all the time which means that your sympathetic nervous system stays at a high level of alert. This causes the constant tension of your muscles, which could eventually result in long-term pain, according to the American Psychological Association. It can also affect your digestive system, which could cause stomachaches, constipation, diarrhea, or irritable bowel syndrome.
4. Dizziness
You might be shaky or unbalanced when you are stressed. The reason for this is to relate to the nervous system’s response to anxiety. Your body is tense whenever you think about something that scares or worries you, and then it relaxes once the threat passes. However, if your anxiety is chronic and you experience these symptoms regularly, you may be diagnosed with an anxiety disorder.
If you’re constantly stressed on a regular basis it can be difficult to focus or get enough sleep. According to the Cleveland Clinic, it can also cause your body to suffer and you could gain weight. Anxiety can also have a major impact on your menstrual cycle. According to the American Psychological Association, anxiety can cause you to miss your periods or have irregular cycles due to altering hormones that trigger menstrual ovulation.
Having high blood pressure or heart disease could increase your risk of anxiety, and it’s essential to get these medical problems under control to decrease your risk. Inform your therapist if you are suffering from any of the following conditions.
Experiences that are traumatizing, such as a car crash or surgery can increase the risk of anxiety. A chronic medical condition, such as asthma or an ongoing health issue, such as diabetes, can also trigger anxiety. There are solutions for anxiety disorders. Psychotherapy or talk therapy such as cognitive behavioral treatment (CBT) can be helpful. CBT teaches you how to change negative thoughts and behaviors that cause anxiety to positive ones. You can also learn relaxation techniques, such as meditation and deep breathing. You can also take supplements to help calm your body and mind.
5. Sweating
Anxiety is a term used to describe for a variety of frightening feelings that could make your heart beat faster and your stomach ache, as well as your muscles tight. Oftentimes, these feelings aren’t enough to cause anxiety disorder–but when they’re chronic and get out of hand. You might also experience chills, sweating and other physical symptoms that cause you to seek medical treatment.
The habit of sweating is a common manifestation of anxiety disorders according to the National Institute of Mental Health. When your body’s “fight-or-flight” response kicks in it increases your blood circulation rate to prepare you for the fight. This increased heart rate may make you feel dizzy or out of breath. 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 an uneasy feeling that you are not breathing properly or breathe, which is known as dyspnea. It’s an indication that your anxiety is getting too overwhelming to manage.
Your doctor will evaluate your anxiety disorders by looking at your symptoms and the way they interfere with your daily routine. They’ll begin by asking about your past experiences and current concerns. They might also conduct tests to identify other health issues that could be contributing to your symptoms, including imaging scanners and blood tests. In certain instances they may suggest medications to alleviate your symptoms, such as strong antiperspirants made of aluminium, nerve blocker medications or botulinum toxins type A (Botox) injections that target the sweat glands. Alternative treatments include cognitive behavioral therapy, psychotherapy, and techniques for relaxation such as meditation or yoga.
