Physical Symptoms of Anxiety Disorder

Every person experiences anxiety at some point, but when anxiety becomes an illness, it can trigger physical as well as emotional symptoms. These include a feeling of tension in the muscles, restlessness and stomach issues.

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

1. Headaches

Many people have anxiety from time to some point. However, this is different from being diagnosed with an anxiety Disorder physical symptoms disorder, that is, when the feelings are more frequent or do not go away. Anxiety can also interfere with your everyday life or cause you to avoid social situations.1

Headaches are a common physical symptom that is associated with anxiety. They can range from a tension headache2 up to a full-blown, migraine in some individuals. This is due to the fact that many people tighten their muscles as part of the fight-or-flight response, and holding those muscles for prolonged periods of time can cause pain.3

Another symptom of anxiety is lightheadedness or dizziness. This can be due to rapid heart rate, hyperventilating, or the combination of both. It could also be a sign that you have a serious medical condition like heart disease. Talk to your doctor to find out.

You might be feeling weak in your arms or legs, which can be another sign of anxiety. This is because your nervous system releases adrenaline and cortisol, which helps you respond to a threat by speeding up your heartbeat and preparing your body for a potential attack. Over time these hormones can have a negative effect on your health, causing you feel weak, shaky or dizzy.

There are times when you may experience more symptoms if you're anxious and have difficulty sleeping. Try to take a break before bed and stick to your routine so that you can get more rest. Exercise can be beneficial. Aerobic exercise can release brain chemicals that reduce stress and improve your mood, and it can assist you in falling asleep faster. Consult your physician in case you're having trouble sleeping.

2. Stomach issues

Anxiety can cause your body to become tense and chronic anxiety may lead to persistent pain. You may experience stomach pain, muscle aches or diarrhea. Stress hormones can also impact your digestive system, causing constipation or irritable bowel syndrome.

People with panic disorders have an increased risk of stomach problems. According to the American Psychiatric Association, panic attacks are sudden sensations or a fear of imminent doom. They can happen in specific situations or without a reason. You may feel as if you're experiencing a heart attack or that you are unable to breathe. You may also experience chest pains and an extremely rapid pulse.

Long-term anxiety can increase your risk of other health issues, too. The hormones responsible for fighting or flight that cause anxiety symptoms assist us in responding to threats, but if you're on high alert throughout the day, your immune system can be affected. This can make you more susceptible to getting the common cold and other illnesses.

Your doctor can diagnose anxiety disorders through a a physical exam and interviewing you about your symptoms. They will rule out other causes, such as thyroid issues or heart disease before determining that you suffer from anxiety. A mental health professional will be able to offer you support and help manage your symptoms. They can assist you in learning relaxation techniques and work through any traumas or negative experiences which may have caused anxiety. They can also aid you in finding the right treatment for you. Ask your doctor to refer you to one 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. However, they do not realize that chronic muscle tension could be an indication of anxiety disorders like treat generalized anxiety disorder anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and specific fears. When a person experiences these symptoms regularly they could begin to lose their range of motion and suffer from constant pain in the neck, back and shoulders.

Tense muscles are a typical sign of anxiety disorders because the body's fight-or-flight response triggers a chain of reactions that result in us physically reacting to perceived threats. These reactions are a natural part of our survival instincts, but they can cause problems in the long run if they are repeated or over a long period of time.

If a real risk is present your adrenal glands release hormones that speed up the rate of your heartbeat so that more blood can be delivered to the muscles of your arms or legs in the event you have to flee or fight. These increased heart rates also increase the speed that your lungs fill up with oxygen. The combination of stress and hyperventilation could make you feel dizzy or lightheaded.

If you suffer from an anxiety disorder, however, your body can't return to its normal state of rest between stress responses. The anxiety disorder causes you to feel anxious all the time which means that your sympathetic nervous system is at a high level of 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 and constipation, diarrhea or irritable bowel syndrome.

4. Dizziness

You may feel dizzy or off-balance in the event of anxiety. The reason is to do with the nervous system response to anxiety. When you are anxious or anxious your body begins to tense and then relaxes. If you experience these symptoms often and you feel your anxiety is chronic, you may have an anxiety disorder.

If you're constantly stressed often it can be difficult to concentrate or get enough sleep. It also affects your body, and could cause you to gain weight, as per the Cleveland Clinic. Anxiety can also have a significant impact on your menstrual cycle. This is because it can cause you to miss or experience irregular menstrual cycles because it affects the release of hormones that trigger ovulation, as per the American Psychological Association.

High blood pressure or heart disease can make you more prone to anxiety, so it's important to get these medical problems under control to reduce your risk. Talk to your therapist if are suffering from any of the following conditions.

Traumatic experiences like a car accident or surgery may also increase your risk of anxiety. Anxiety can be caused by a chronic illness like asthma or diabetes, or a recurring medical illness. There are treatment options for anxiety disorders. Talk therapy or psychotherapy such as cognitive behavioral treatment (CBT) can help. CBT teaches you how to change negative thoughts and behaviors that cause anxiety into positive ones. You can also learn how to use relaxation techniques like deep breathing or meditation. You can supplement your diet with supplements to relax your body and mind.

5. Sweating

Anxiety is a term that refers to an array of emotions that can cause your heart rate to rise and your stomach to ache and your muscles to get tighter. Sometimes, these symptoms aren't enough to cause anxiety disorder, but when they're ongoing and become out of control. You may also experience chills, sweating and other physical symptoms that make you seek medical attention.

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 begins, it boosts the rate at which your blood circulates to prepare you for fighting 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 for generalized anxiety disorder.

Dyspnea is the feeling that you are unable to breathe. This could be a sign that your anxiety has grown too severe to handle.

Your doctor will determine if there is anxiety disorders by analyzing your symptoms and how they impact your daily routine. They'll begin by asking you about your past experiences and your current concerns. They might also conduct tests to determine if you have any other health issues that may be contributing to your symptoms, like bloodwork and imaging scanners. In some cases they may suggest medications to ease the symptoms. These include strong antiperspirants with aluminium in them, drugs that block nerves and Botox injections in the sweat glands. Alternative treatments include psychotherapy, cognitive behavioral therapy and relaxation techniques like yoga or meditation.