Physical Symptoms of Anxiety Disorder

While everyone feels anxious 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 anxiety, muscle tension and stomach issues.

A psychiatrist, psychologist, or therapist uses screening tools to determine whether you suffer from anxiety disorders statistics disorders. They will also ask about your medical history and run tests to rule other health conditions which may cause similar symptoms.

1. Headaches

Most people experience anxiety from time to times. An anxiety disorder treatments at home disorder is when these feelings become constant or frequent. Anxiety can also affect your daily life and cause you to avoid social situations.

Headaches are a typical physical symptom that is associated with different anxiety disorders. They can range from the typical tension headache2 to full-blown migraine for some people. A lot of people tighten their muscles in a fight-or-flight response, and retaining them rigidly for a long period of time can cause pain.

Dizziness or lightheadedness is another physical symptom of anxiety. This can be caused by an increased heart rate, hyperventilating or a combination of both. It can also be an indication of a major medical problem such as heart disease, which is why it is important to be checked out by your doctor.

You might be feeling weak, especially in your arms or legs. This can be a sign of anxiety. This is because your nervous system releases cortisol and adrenaline which help you react to a danger by speeding up your heartbeat and preparing your entire body for an attack. Over time, these hormones can have a negative effect on your health, making you feel weak, shakey or dizzy.

If you are having trouble getting enough rest due to anxiety, it can make your symptoms worse. Try to relax before bed and follow an established routine so that you can rest better. Exercise can also be helpful. Brisk aerobic activity can release brain chemicals that reduce stress and improve your mood, and it can aid in falling asleep more easily. Consult your physician if you are still having trouble sleeping.

2. Stomach problems

The body is tense in response to anxiety, and if you have chronic anxiety it can cause constant pain. Your muscles may ache, your stomach can feel a bit sluggish, or you could experience diarrhea. Your digestive system may be affected by the constant release of stress hormones, and this can lead to constipation, bloating and IBS.

People who suffer from panic disorders are at a higher risk of stomach problems. Panic attacks are sudden sensations of fear or imminent doom that happen in specific circumstances or for no reason according to the American Psychiatric Association. You might feel as if you're having an attack of the heart or that you can't breathe, and you might have chest pain or a rapid heartbeat.

Long-term anxiety may increase the risk of developing other health issues. The hormones that trigger anxiety disorder physical symptoms symptoms help us respond to danger however, if you're on high alert all the time your immune system may suffer. This could increase your risk of contracting common colds, and other ailments.

Your doctor can diagnose anxiety disorders through an examination of your body and an interview about your symptoms. Before diagnosing anxiety, they will rule out other causes like 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 traumas or negative experiences which may have caused your anxiety. They can also help you in finding the appropriate treatment 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 twitchy pulse and jittery hand are signs of anxiety. But, they don't know that chronic muscle tension can be a sign of anxiety disorders, such as generalized anxiety disorder symptoms anxiety disorder or social anxiety disorder panic disorder, and certain phobias. If someone suffers from these symptoms frequently they could begin to lose their range of motion and experience chronic pain in their back, neck, and shoulders.

Tense muscles are a common manifestation of different anxiety disorders disorder since the body's fight-or-flight response triggers a series of reactions that trigger us to physically react to perceived threats. Moderate anxiety levels elicit these responses as part our instinctual survival instinct, but they can cause long-term muscle issues when they are frequent or over a prolonged period of time.

If a risk is present, your adrenal glands produce 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 need to run away or fight. These increased heart rates also increase the speed of your lungs filling up with oxygen. The combination of stress and hyperventilation may make you feel lightheaded or dizzy.

When you have an anxiety disorder, however your body isn't able to its normal state of rest between stress responses. You feel anxious all the while due to your anxiety disorder, so you keep your sympathetic nervous system in high alert. This leads to the continuous tension in your muscles that could eventually result in long-term pain, according to the American Psychological Association. It can also affect your digestive system, which could cause stomach pain and constipation, diarrhea or irritable bowel syndrome.

4. Dizziness

You might feel dizzy or out of balance when you are stressed. The reason for this is to be due to the nervous system's response to anxiety. When you are anxious or scared your body begins to tense and then it relaxes. However, if your anxiety is persistent and you experience these symptoms frequently, you may be diagnosed with an anxiety disorder.

If you're constantly stressed often it can be difficult to focus or sleep enough. It also wreaks havoc on your body and may cause you to gain weight, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Anxiety can also have a significant impact on your menstrual cycle. It's because it could cause you to miss or have irregular menstrual flow by affecting the release of hormones that trigger ovulation, as per the American Psychological Association.

A 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 lower your risk. If you have these conditions, make sure to inform your therapist.

Experiences that are traumatizing, like a car crash or surgery may also increase your anxiety risk. A recurring medical condition like asthma or an ongoing health issue, such as diabetes, can also create anxiety. The good news is that there are treatments that can ease anxiety disorders. They include psychotherapy or talk therapy, like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) that helps you turn negative anxiety-inducing thoughts and behaviors into positive ones. You can also learn to practice relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing or meditation. In addition, there are supplements you can take to relax 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 turn a bit upset, and your muscles tight. These symptoms alone aren't enough to trigger anxiety disorder, but when they become chronic, it could become a problem. There are also sweating, chills or other physical symptoms which prompt you to seek medical assistance.

According to the National Institute of Mental Health sweating is a typical physical manifestation of anxiety disorders. When your body's fight-or flight response is activated, it increases the rate of blood circulation to prepare you for battle or escape. This increase in heart rate can cause you to feel dizzy and 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.

This imbalance can cause a feeling of not being breathing properly and is known as dyspnea. It's an indication that your anxiety is becoming too overwhelming to manage.

Your doctor will test you for an anxiety disorder based on your reported symptoms and the way they affect your daily life. They'll start by asking you about your experiences in the past and your current concerns. They may also conduct tests to check for other health issues that could be the cause of your symptoms, including imaging scanners and blood tests. In certain instances they may recommend medication to alleviate your symptoms, such as powerful antiperspirants containing aluminium, nerve-blocking drugs, or botulinum toxin type A (Botox) injections around the sweat glands. Alternative treatments include psychotherapy, cognitive behavior therapy and relaxation techniques like yoga or meditation.