Physical Symptoms of Anxiety Disorder

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

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

1. Headaches

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

One of the most common physical symptoms of anxiety is headaches. They can range from tension headache2 up to a complete migraine for some people. This is because a lot of people tense their bodies as part of their fight-or-flight response, and holding those 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 an increased heart rate, hyperventilating or a combination of both. It could also be an indication of a serious medical issue like heart disease, and it's important to get examined by your physician.

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

If you have trouble getting enough sleep due to anxiety disorders diagnosis, it can make your symptoms worse. Try to take a break before bed and stick to an established routine to sleep better. Exercise can be beneficial. A vigorous aerobic workout can release brain chemicals that cut stress and boost your mood. It can assist you in falling asleep faster. If you're still having difficulties sleeping, consult your doctor about options for treatment.

2. Stomach issues

The body tenses up in response to anxiety and if you have chronic anxiety, it can result in persistent pain. Your muscles may ache or your stomach may feel off or you can experience diarrhea. Your digestive system may be affected by the constant release of stress hormones and this can lead to constipation, bloating, or IBS.

You can experience stomach issues in any anxiety disorder, however people with panic disorders are more likely to experience these issues. Panic attacks are sudden feelings of fear or imminent doom that happen in specific circumstances or for no apparent reason, according to the American Psychiatric Association. You may feel like you're experiencing an attack on your heart or you're not breathing, and you may experience chest pain or a rapid heartbeat.

Chronic anxiety can increase the chances of developing other health problems. The hormones that trigger the symptoms of anxiety assist us in responding to threats, but if you're on high alert throughout the day your immune system could be affected. This could make you more susceptible to catching the common cold and other diseases.

Your doctor is able to diagnose anxiety disorders with an examination of your body and an interview about your symptoms. Before diagnosing anxiety, they'll rule out other causes like thyroid or heart problems. A mental health professional will also be able to offer you assistance and support in managing your symptoms. They can assist you in learning techniques for relaxation and work through any underlying traumas or negative experiences which could have triggered anxiety. They can also assist you to determine the best treatment option that is appropriate for you. Ask your doctor to refer you or look online for directories that feature an anxiety specialist.

3. Muscle tension

Although most people what are anxiety disorders/depression aware that a racing heart and hands that feel jittery are signs of anxiety, many don't know that tension in the muscles is a indication of anxiety disorders such as generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) as well as social anxiety disorder (SAD) or panic disorder, or specific phobias. If someone is suffering from these symptoms regularly, they can lose their mobility and feel constant pain in their neck, back and shoulders.

Tense muscles are a common manifestation of anxiety disorders test disorder since the body's fight-or flight response triggers a cascade of responses that cause us to physically react to perceived threats. Moderate anxiety levels elicit these responses as part of our instinctual survival instinct, but they can cause long-term problems with muscles when they occur regularly or over a long period of time.

When a real threat occurs, your adrenal glands churn out hormones that accelerate how fast your heart beats to ensure it can pump more blood to the massive muscles in your legs and arms in the event that you need to flee or fight the threat. 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.

When you have an anxiety disorder, your body isn't able to return to its normal state of rest between stress reactions. You are constantly anxious all the while due to the anxiety disorder, and you keep your sympathetic nervous system on high alert. According to the American Psychological Association, this could lead to chronic muscle tensing and long-term pain. It can also affect your digestive system, which could cause stomach pains constipation, diarrhea, or irritable bowel syndrome.

4. Dizziness

You might be shaky or unbalanced if you what are the 6 types of anxiety disorders are the anxiety disorders (My Home Page) anxious. This is due to the nervous system's response to anxiety. The body gets tense when you think of something that worries or scares you, and then it relaxes when the threat is gone. If you are experiencing these symptoms frequently and your anxiety is chronic it could be that you suffer from an anxiety disorder.

It can be difficult to sleep or concentrate when you are constantly stressed. It also causes havoc to your body and can cause you to gain weight, as per the Cleveland Clinic. 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 have irregular cycles due to altering hormones that cause menstrual ovulation.

You may be more prone to anxiety if you have high blood pressure or heart issues. It is essential to manage these medical conditions to reduce your risk. Talk to your therapist if suffer from any of these ailments.

Experiences that are traumatizing, like a car accident or surgery can increase your risk of anxiety. Anxiety can be triggered by a chronic illness, like asthma or diabetes or a recurring medical health condition. The good news is that there are solutions which can alleviate anxiety disorders. Talk therapy or psychotherapy like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can help. CBT teaches you how to transform negative behavior patterns and thoughts that cause anxiety to positive ones. You can also learn how to use relaxation techniques like meditation or deep breathing. In addition there are supplements you can take to calm your mind and body.

5. Sweating

Anxiety is an umbrella term for a whole cluster of daunting feelings that can cause your heart to beat, your stomach upset and your muscles 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. There are also sweating, chills and other physical symptoms that prompt you to seek medical attention.

The habit of sweating is a common sign 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 combat. This increase in heart rate can cause you to feel faint or dizzy. 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 could also lead to the feeling of not being breathing and is known as dyspnea. It's a sign that your anxiety is becoming too overwhelming to manage.

Your healthcare provider will determine if you have anxiety disorders by analyzing your symptoms and how they affect your daily routine. They'll start by asking you about your previous experiences and your current concerns. They may also run tests to look for other health issues that could be causing the symptoms, such as imaging scans and blood tests. In some instances, they may recommend medications to relieve the symptoms. These include powerful antiperspirants with aluminium in them, drugs that block nerves and Botox injections around sweat glands. Alternative treatments include psychotherapy, cognitive behavior therapy and relaxation techniques like meditation or yoga.