25 Surprising Facts About Anxiety Disorder Physical Symptoms

Physical Symptoms of Anxiety Disorder

While everyone feels anxious from time to time, when anxiety becomes a disorder it can cause physical symptoms as well as emotional ones. These include a sense of anxiety, muscle tension, and stomach problems.

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

1. Headaches

The majority of people feel anxious from time some point. An anxiety disorder occurs when these feelings become persistent or more frequent. Anxiety can also affect your daily routine or cause you to avoid social situations.1

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

Lightheadedness or dizziness are another symptom of physical anxiety Disorder Remedies. This can be caused by rapid heart rate, hyperventilating or a combination of both. It could also be a sign that you suffer from a serious medical condition like heart disease. Talk to your doctor to find out.

You might be feeling weak in your legs or arms, which can be another indication of anxiety. This is because the nervous system releases adrenaline and cortisol, which help you respond to threats by speeding up your heartbeat and preparing your body for a possible attack. Over time, however, those hormones can have a negative effect on your health and could cause you to feel shakey and weak or dizzy.

You may experience worse symptoms if you are stressed and having difficulty sleeping. Relax before going to bed and stick to your routine. This will allow you to get more sleep. Exercise can also be beneficial. Aerobic exercise can release brain chemicals that can reduce stress and improve your mood. It can help you fall asleep easier. If you are still having difficulty sleeping, speak to your doctor about possible treatment options.

2. Stomach issues

Anxiety can cause the body to tense up, and chronic anxiety can cause chronic pain. You may experience muscle aches, stomach discomfort or diarrhea. Your digestive system may be affected by the constant release of stress hormones, and this can lead to constipation, bloating and irritable bowel syndrome.

People with panic disorders have an increased risk of having stomach issues. According to the American Psychiatric Association, panic attacks are sudden feelings or terror of impending danger. They can happen in specific situations or without a reason. You may feel like you're experiencing an attack on your heart or you're unable to breathe, or you might have chest pain and a fast heartbeat.

Chronic anxiety can increase your risk of other health issues, too. The hormones that trigger anxiety disorders in adults symptoms help us to respond to threats, but if we're constantly alert our immune system may be affected. This can make you more susceptible to catching the common cold and other illnesses.

Your doctor can diagnose anxiety disorders through physical examination and a discussion regarding your symptoms. They can rule out any other causes, like heart disease or thyroid problems prior to determining you have anxiety. A mental health professional will also be able to provide support and help manage your symptoms. They can also teach relaxation techniques and assist you to overcome any underlying trauma or negative experience that might have led to your anxiety. They can also assist you in locating the best general anxiety disorder medication treatment for you. Ask your doctor to refer you or look up directories online for an anxiety specialist.

3. Muscle tension

While most people know that a racing heart and hands that are jittery are indicators of anxiety, a lot of people don't realize that chronic tension in the muscles is a sign of anxiety disorders like generalized anxiety disorder therapies anxiety disorder (GAD), social anxiety disorder (SAD) panic disorder, or specific phobias. When a person experiences these symptoms regularly, they may begin to lose their range of motion and suffer from persistent pain in the neck, back, and shoulders.

Tense muscles are a common symptom of anxiety disorder because the body's fight or flight response triggers a series of responses that cause us to physically react to perceived threats. A moderate level of anxiety triggers these reactions as part of our survival instincts however, they can also cause long-term muscle issues when they occur regularly or over a long period of time.

If a serious threat is present, your adrenal glands churn out hormones that increase the speed at which your heart beats, so that it can pump more blood to the big muscles in your legs and arms in case you need to escape or fight the danger. These increased heart rates also increase the speed at which your lungs are filled with oxygen. The combination of stress and hyperventilation could cause you to feel dizzy or lightheaded.

If you have an anxiety condition, your body is unable to return to its normal resting state between stress reactions. You are constantly anxious all the while because of your anxiety disorder, so you keep your sympathetic nervous system on alert. This leads to the continuous tensing of your muscles and could eventually result in 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

If you're an anxious person you may be shaky and unbalanced. This is because of the nervous system's response to anxiety. When you are worried or scared your body begins to tense and then relaxes. If you experience these symptoms often and your anxiety is chronic, you may have an anxiety disorder.

If you're stressed often, it can be hard to focus or sleep enough. It also causes havoc to your body and may cause you to gain weight, as per the Cleveland Clinic. Anxiety can also have a major influence on your menstrual cycles. This is because it can cause you to miss or have irregular menstrual flow because it affects the release of hormones that trigger ovulation, as per the American Psychological Association.

You are more prone to anxiety if you suffer from high blood pressure or heart problems. It is essential to manage these medical conditions to reduce your risk. Tell your therapist if you are suffering from any of the following conditions.

A traumatic experience such as a car crash or surgery can increase your risk of anxiety. A recurring medical condition like asthma or a chronic health issue like diabetes can trigger anxiety. There are solutions for anxiety disorders. They include psychotherapy, or talk therapy, for instance cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) which helps you transform negative thoughts and behaviors that trigger anxiety into positive ones. You can also learn relaxation techniques like meditation and deep breathing. In addition, there are supplements available to calm your body and mind.

5. Sweating

Anxiety is a broad term for a whole cluster of daunting feelings that can make your heart beat faster, your stomach upset and your muscles tense. Most of the time, these feelings aren't enough to constitute anxiety disorder, but when they're ongoing, they can become out of control. There are also sweating, chills and other physical symptoms which make you seek medical assistance.

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, sweating is a common physical manifestation of anxiety disorders. When your body's fight or flight response begins, it boosts the rate that your blood circulates to prepare you for fight or escape. This increase in heart rate can cause you to feel dizzy and 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 can't breathe. It's a sign that your anxiety is becoming too severe to control.

Your doctor will determine if you suffer from anxiety disorders by analyzing your symptoms and how they impact your daily routine. You'll be asked about your past experiences and current concerns. They may also conduct tests to look for other health issues that could be causing the symptoms, such as imaging scans and blood tests. In some cases they may suggest medications to alleviate your symptoms, such as powerful antiperspirants containing aluminium, nerve-blocking medications or botulinum toxins type A (Botox) injections around the sweat glands. Alternative treatments include cognitive behavioral therapy, psychotherapy and techniques for relaxation such as meditation or yoga.