Physical Symptoms of Anxiety Disorder
Although everyone experiences anxiety from time to time, when anxiety becomes an illness, it can trigger physical symptoms, as well as emotional ones. They can be characterized by a feeling of agitation, muscle tension, stomach issues and more.
A psychiatrist, psychologist or therapist utilizes screening tools to determine if you have anxiety disorder. They will also ask you about your medical history and conduct tests to rule out other medical conditions that could cause similar symptoms.
1. Headaches
Most people feel anxious from time times. However, this is different from being diagnosed with an anxiety disorder, which is when the symptoms are more frequent or don't disappear. Anxiety can also impact your daily routine and make it difficult to participate in social situations.
The most frequent physical sign of anxiety are headaches. They can range from a tension headache2 to a full-blown migraine in some individuals. This is because many people tighten their muscles in response to the fight or flight response and holding their muscles in a rigid position for long periods of time can cause pain.3
Dizziness or lightheadedness is another physical sign of anxiety. It can be caused by rapid heart rate, hyperventilating, or an amalgamation of both. It could also be a sign that you have an illness that is serious, such as heart disease. Talk to your doctor to find out.
You might also feel weak in the legs or arms this could be another sign of anxiety. This is because your nervous system releases adrenaline and cortisol which help you react to a danger by accelerating the heartbeat and preparing your body for an attack. As time passes the hormones can have a negative effect on your health, causing you feel weak, shaky or dizzy.
There are times when you may experience more symptoms if your stressed and are having trouble sleeping. Try to take a break before bed and stick to an established routine to rest better. Exercise can also be beneficial. A vigorous aerobic workout can release brain chemicals that can reduce stress and improve your mood. It can help you fall asleep easier. Talk to your doctor If you're still struggling to sleep.
2. Stomach issues
Anxiety can cause your body to become tense, and chronic anxiety can cause chronic pain. You may experience stomach pain, muscle aches or diarrhea. The digestive system of your body can be affected by the constant release of stress hormones, and this can lead to constipation, bloating and IBS.
People with panic disorders have a higher risk of stomach problems. Panic attacks are sudden feelings of fear or imminent doom that can occur in certain situations or for no reason, according to the American Psychiatric Association. It could feel like you are having a heartattack or that you are unable to breathe. You may also experience chest pains and an extremely rapid pulse.
Long-term anxiety can also increase your chances of developing other health problems. The fight-or-flight hormones that cause the symptoms of anxiety aid us in responding to danger and if you're constantly always on alert all the time your immune system may suffer. This can make you more prone to contracting the common cold and other diseases.
Your doctor can diagnose anxiety disorders through a physical examination and a conversation regarding your symptoms. Before diagnosing anxiety, they will rule out other causes such as thyroid and heart diseases. A mental health professional will be able to offer you support and help manage your symptoms. They can help you learn relaxation techniques and help you work through any underlying negative or traumatic experiences that could have triggered your anxiety. They can also help you identify a treatment plan that is appropriate for you. Ask your doctor to refer you to one or search online directories for an anxiety specialist.
3. Muscle tension
While most people know that a heart racing and hands that are jittery are indicators of anxiety, many people do not know 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 specific fears. If someone is suffering from these symptoms on a regular basis they may lose their range of motion and feel constant discomfort in their 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. In moderate levels of anxiety, we trigger these reactions as part of our instinctual survival instinct however, they can also cause long-term muscle issues when they occur regularly or over a prolonged period of time.
If a serious threat is present your adrenal glands pump out hormones that accelerate the rate at which your heart beats, so that it can pump more blood to the large muscles in your arms and legs in case you have to flee or fight danger. These increased heart rates also increase the speed at which your lungs are filled with oxygen. The combination of stress and hyperventilation can make you feel lightheaded or dizzy.
If you suffer from an anxiety disorder, however, your body can't return to its normal state of rest between stress responses. Your anxiety disorder causes you to feel constantly anxious which means that your sympathetic nervous system stays on high alert. This causes the constant tension of your muscles, which may eventually lead to long-term pain, according to the American Psychological Association. It can also affect your digestive system, which may cause stomachaches, constipation, diarrhea, or irritable bowel syndrome.
4. Dizziness
You might be shaky or unbalanced in the event of anxiety. The reason is to do with the nervous system response to anxiety. If you are stressed or worried your body tightens and then relaxes. If you are experiencing these symptoms often and you feel your anxiety is persistent, you may have an anxiety disorder.
If you're stressed frequently, it can be hard to concentrate or get enough sleep. According to the Cleveland Clinic, it can also cause your body to suffer and you could 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 experience irregular menstrual cycles by altering hormones that trigger the ovulation.
High blood pressure or heart disease can make you more susceptible to anxiety, and it's essential to get these medical problems 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 traumatizing experiences like being in a car crash or having surgery. A chronic medical condition such as asthma or chronic health issues, such as diabetes, can create anxiety. The good news is that there are solutions which can alleviate anxiety issues. They include psychotherapy, or talk therapy, for instance cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which teaches you to turn negative thoughts and behaviors that trigger anxiety into positive ones. You can also learn relaxation techniques like deep breathing and meditation. In addition there are supplements that you can take to relax your mind and body.
5. Sweating
Anxiety is a term that refers to many different feelings that can cause your heart to race, your stomach to upset and your muscles to tighten. These symptoms alone aren't enough to cause anxiety disorder but when they become chronic, it could cause problems. You may also experience sweating, chills or other physical symptoms that make you seek medical attention.
Sweating is a typical physical manifestation of anxiety disorders according to the National Institute of Mental Health. When your body's "fight-or-flight" response kicks in, it increases the speed of blood circulation to prepare you for the fight. This increase in heart rate can cause you to 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.
Dyspnea refers to a feeling that you are unable to breathe. This could be a sign that your anxiety has grown too severe to handle.
Your healthcare provider will determine if you have an anxiety disorder by looking at your symptoms and how they affect your daily routine. They'll begin by asking about your experiences in the past and your current concerns. They might also conduct tests to check for other health problems that could be causing your symptoms, such as bloodwork and imaging scanners. In some instances, they might recommend medications to alleviate your symptoms, including strong antiperspirants containing aluminium, nerve-blocking drugs or botulinum toxin type A (Botox) injections that target the sweat glands. Alternative treatments include cognitive behavior therapy, psychotherapy and techniques for relaxation such as meditation or yoga.