The 10 Most Terrifying Things About Anxiety Disorder Physical Symptoms

Physical Symptoms of Anxiety Disorder

Everyone experiences anxiety at times, but when anxiety becomes a problem, it can cause physical and emotional symptoms. This can include a feeling of tension in the muscles, restlessness and stomach problems.

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 health conditions which may cause similar symptoms.

1. Headaches

The majority of people have anxiety from time to some point. An anxiety disorder occurs when these feelings are constant or frequent. Anxiety can affect your everyday life or cause you to avoid social situations.1

A common physical symptom of anxiety are headaches. They can range from tension headache2 to a complete migraine in some individuals. Many people tense up their muscles as part of their fight-or-flight reaction, and holding them in a rigid way for a prolonged period of time could cause pain.

Dizziness or lightheadedness is another physical sign of anxiety. This could be caused by an increased heart rate, hyperventilating, or an amalgamation of the two. It can also be an indication of a serious medical issue like heart disease, which is why it's crucial to have your heart checked out by your physician.

You might be feeling weak, especially in your legs or arms. This can be a sign of stress. This is because the nervous system releases cortisol and adrenaline, which help you respond to a threat by increasing your heart rate and prepare your body for a possible attack. In time, however, those hormones may have a negative impact on your health and may cause you to feel weak, shaky, weak, or dizzy.

If you are having trouble getting enough sleep due to anxiety, it can cause your symptoms to get worse. Try to take a break before bed and stick to a regular routine so that you can sleep better. Exercise can be beneficial. A vigorous aerobic workout can release brain chemicals that can reduce stress and boost your mood, and it can assist you in falling asleep faster. If you are still having trouble sleeping, talk to your doctor about options for treatment.

2. Stomach issues

Anxiety can cause the body to tense up and long-term anxiety can cause chronic pain. You may experience muscle aches, stomach discomfort or diarrhea. Stress hormones can also affect your gastrointestinal system, leading to constipation or irritable bowel syndrome.

It is possible to experience stomach problems when you suffer from any anxiety disorder, but those with panic disorders are more likely to experience these issues. Panic attacks are sudden, intense feelings of terror or impending doom that can occur in certain situations or for no apparent reason, according to the American Psychiatric Association. You might feel as if you're experiencing a heart attack or that you're unable to breathe, or you may experience chest pain or a rapid heartbeat.

Long-term anxiety may increase the risk of developing other health issues. The fight-or-flight hormones that cause the symptoms of anxiety aid us in responding to threats and if you're constantly on high alert throughout the day, your immune system can be affected. This can make you more prone to getting the common cold and other ailments.

Your doctor can diagnose anxiety disorders through a a physical exam and interviewing you about your symptoms. Before diagnosing anxiety, they can determine if there are other causes, such as heart disease and thyroid problems. A mental health professional will also be able to offer you support and help manage your symptoms. They can help you learn techniques for relaxation and work through any underlying traumas or negative experiences that might have contributed to anxiety. They can also help you find a treatment option that is suitable for you. Ask your doctor to refer you or look up directories online for an anxiety specialist.

3. Muscle tension

Many people are aware that a fast pulse and a jittery hand are indicators of anxiety. But, they don't know that chronic muscle tension can be a sign of anxiety disorders ptsd disorders such as generalized anxiety disorder medication anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and certain phobias. If someone is suffering from these symptoms frequently they could lose their range of motion and suffer from chronic discomfort in their back, neck and shoulders.

Tense muscles are a common symptom of anxiety disorder because the body's fight-or-flight response triggers a cascade of reactions that trigger us to physically react to perceived threats. In moderate levels of anxiety, we trigger these reactions as part of our natural survival instinct however, they can also cause long-term muscle issues when they are frequent or over a long period of time.

If a risk is present the adrenal glands produce hormones that speed up the rate of your heartbeat, so that more blood can be pumped to the muscles of your arms or legs in the event that you have to flee or fight. The increased heart rates also increase the speed of your lungs filling with oxygen. This combination of heightened stress and hyperventilation can cause you feel dizzy or lightheaded.

When you have an anxiety disorder, however, your body can't return to its normal state of rest between stress reactions. You feel stressed all the time because of your anxiety disorder, which is why you keep your sympathetic nervous system in high alert. This causes the constant tension of your muscles, which may eventually lead to long-term pain, according the American Psychological Association. It can also affect your digestive system, which may cause stomach pain constipation, diarrhea, or irritable bowel syndrome.

4. Dizziness

You might feel dizzy or off-balance when you are stressed. The reason for this has to be due to the nervous system's response to anxiety. Your body tenses up when you think about something that scares or worries you, and then it relaxes once the threat passes. However, if your anxiety is persistent and you experience these symptoms frequently you could be diagnosed with an anxiety disorder.

It is difficult to fall asleep 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 significant impact on your menstrual cycles. According to the American Psychological Association, anxiety can cause you to skip your menstrual cycle or have irregular cycles by altering hormones that cause the ovulation.

Having high blood pressure or heart disease could make you more prone to anxiety, which is why it's crucial to bring these medical conditions under control to decrease your risk. If you suffer from these conditions, be sure to inform your therapist.

Experiences that are traumatizing, such as a car crash or surgery can increase your risk of anxiety. A chronic medical condition such as asthma or a chronic health issue like diabetes can create anxiety. The good news is that there are treatments that can ease anxiety issues. Psychotherapy or talk therapy such as cognitive behavioral treatment (CBT) can help. Cbt For Social Anxiety Disorder teaches you how to transform negative thoughts and behaviors that trigger anxiety into positive ones. You can also learn relaxation techniques like meditation and deep breathing. You can also take supplements to calm your body and mind.

5. Sweating

Anxiety is a term that refers to a wide range of feelings that can cause your heart to beat and your stomach to ache and your muscles to get tighter. These symptoms alone aren't enough to cause anxiety disorders however, when they become chronic, it can cause problems. You may also experience chills, sweating and other physical symptoms that cause you to seek medical treatment.

The habit of sweating is a common symptom of anxiety disorders, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. When your body's fight or flight response is activated, it increases the rate at which your blood circulates to prepare you for battle or escape. This boost 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.

Dyspnea refers to a feeling of not breathing. This could be a sign that your anxiety has grown too severe to handle.

Your doctor will test your anxiety disorders in light of your symptoms and the way they affect your daily activities. They'll begin by asking about your experiences in the past and your current concerns. They may also conduct tests to look for other health issues that could be causing them, such as bloodwork and imaging scans. In some instances they may recommend medication for anxiety disorder and depression to help ease your symptoms, such as strong antiperspirants containing aluminium, nerve-blocking drugs or botulinum toxin type A (Botox) injections in the sweat glands. Alternative treatments include psychotherapy, cognitive behavioral therapy and relaxation techniques like yoga or meditation.