25 Amazing Facts About Anxiety Disorder Physical Symptoms

Physical Symptoms of Anxiety Disorder While everyone feels anxious at times If anxiety develops into an illness, it can trigger physical symptoms, as well as emotional ones. They can be characterized by a feeling tension in the muscles, restlessness and stomach issues. A psychiatrist, psychologist, or therapist utilizes screening tools to determine whether you suffer from anxiety disorder. They will also ask you about your medical history, and perform tests to rule out other medical conditions that could cause similar symptoms. 1. Headaches Most people feel anxious from time time. But it's not the same as having an anxiety disorder which is when the feelings are more frequent or don't go away. Anxiety can also impact your daily life and cause you to avoid social situations. A common physical symptom of anxiety are headaches. They can range from your typical tension headache2 to complete migraine in a few 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 lead to pain.3 Another physical sign of anxiety is dizziness or lightheadedness. This can be due to rapid heart rate, hyperventilating, or a combination. It can also be a sign of a serious medical problem such as heart disease, which is why it is important to be checked out by your doctor. You may also feel weak in your arms or legs, which can be another sign of anxiety. This is because the nervous system releases cortisol and adrenaline, which help you respond to threats by speeding up your heartbeat and prepare your body for a possible attack. In time, however these hormones can have the opposite effect on your health, and can make you feel shaky and weak or dizzy. You might experience more severe symptoms if you're stressed and having difficulty sleeping. Relax before going to bed and adhere to the same routine. This will allow you to get more sleep. Exercise can also be beneficial. Brisk aerobic activity can release brain chemicals that cut stress and improve your mood, and it can assist you in falling asleep faster. Talk to your doctor if you are still having trouble sleeping. 2. Stomach issues Anxiety can cause the body to tighten up and long-term anxiety can lead to persistent pain. Your muscles might ache, your stomach can be irritable, or you may get diarrhea. Stress hormones can affect your gastrointestinal system, leading to constipation or irritable bowel syndrome. People suffering from panic disorders are at an increased risk of having stomach issues. Panic attacks are sudden, intense feelings of fear or imminent doom that occur in specific 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. You might also experience chest pains or an extremely rapid pulse. Long-term anxiety can increase your risk for other health problems, too. The hormones that cause anxiety symptoms allow us to respond to a danger, but if we're constantly on alert, our immune system can be affected. This could make you more susceptible to the common cold, as well as other ailments. Your doctor can diagnose anxiety disorders by conducting a an examination and talking to you about your symptoms. Before diagnosing anxiety, they'll rule out other causes like thyroid and heart diseases. A mental health professional can also provide assistance and support to manage your symptoms. They can help you learn techniques for relaxation and work through any negative or traumatic experiences that could have triggered your anxiety. They can also help you determine the best treatment option that is suitable for you. Ask your doctor for a referral, or browse online therapist directories to find an anxiety specialist. 3. Muscle tension Many people are aware that a racing pulse and jittery hand are signs of anxiety. But, they don't realize that chronic muscle tension could be a sign of anxiety disorders, such as generalized anxiety disorder social anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and certain fears. If someone is experiencing these symptoms regularly they could lose their range and suffer from chronic pain in their back, neck and shoulders. Tense muscles may be 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. These responses are a natural part of our survival instincts, however, they can lead to problems in the long run if they are repeated or occur over a prolonged period of time. When there is a real danger the adrenal glands crank out hormones that increase how fast your heart beats to ensure it can pump more blood to the massive muscles in your legs and arms in case you need to flee or fight the danger. Those increased heart rates also increase the speed at which your lungs are filled with oxygen. The combination of increased stress and hyperventilation can make you feel lightheaded or dizzy. When you have an anxiety disorder, however your body isn't able to return to its normal state of rest between stress-related responses. You are constantly anxious all the while because of your anxiety disorder, which is why you keep your sympathetic nervous system on alert. This leads to the continuous tension of your muscles, which can eventually cause long-term pain, according the American Psychological Association. It can also affect the digestive system, causing stomachaches, diarrhea, constipation or irritable-bowel syndrome. 4. Dizziness If you're a stressed-out person, you may often feel dizzy and off balance. The reason for this is to do with the nervous system response to anxiety. When you are worried or anxious, your body tenses and then it relaxes. However, if your anxiety is recurring and you are experiencing these symptoms often you may be diagnosed with an anxiety disorder. If you're constantly stressed frequently 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 may gain weight. Anxiety can also have an impact on your menstrual cycle. According to the American Psychological Association, anxiety can cause you to skip your menstrual cycle or have irregular cycles by altering hormones that trigger menstrual ovulation. You can be more susceptible to anxiety if you have high blood pressure or heart issues. It is essential to manage these medical conditions to lower your risk. If you suffer from these conditions, make sure to inform your therapist. Experiences that are traumatizing, such as a car crash or surgery may also increase your anxiety risk. A chronic medical condition such as asthma or chronic health issues, such as diabetes, can create anxiety. The good news is that there are treatments that can help with anxiety disorders. Talk therapy or psychotherapy such as cognitive behavioral treatment (CBT) can be helpful. CBT teaches you how to change negative thoughts and behaviors that cause anxiety into positive ones. You can also learn relaxation techniques such as deep breathing and meditation. You can also take supplements to calm your mind and body. 5. Sweating Anxiety is a term that covers a wide range of feelings that can cause your heart rate to rise, your stomach to upset and your muscles to get tighter. Most of the time, these feelings aren't enough to constitute anxiety disorder—but when they're chronic they can get out of hand. You may also experience sweating, chills or other physical symptoms which make you 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 begins, it boosts the rate of blood circulation to prepare you for fight or escape. This increased heart rate may make you 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 an uneasy feeling that you are not breathing properly, which is called dyspnea. This could be a sign that your anxiety has become too severe to handle. Your doctor will determine if you have anxiety disorders by analyzing your symptoms and how they impact your daily routine. You'll be asked about previous experiences and current concerns. They might also conduct tests to identify other health issues that could be causing your symptoms, including imaging scanners and blood tests. In some instances, they may suggest medications to ease the symptoms. These include strong antiperspirants with aluminium in them, drugs that block nerves, or Botox injections to treat sweat glands. disorders anxiety include cognitive behavior therapy, psychotherapy and techniques for relaxation such as meditation or yoga.