Physical Symptoms of Anxiety Disorder

Everyone experiences anxiety at times When anxiety disorder can be cured becomes an illness, it can trigger physical symptoms as well as emotional ones. This can include a feeling of restlessness, muscular tension, stomach issues and more.

A psychologist, psychiatrist or therapist will use screening tools to determine whether you suffer from anxiety disorders. They will also inquire about your medical history and conduct tests to rule out any other health conditions that may cause similar symptoms.

1. Headaches

Many people feel anxious from time to time. However, this is different from having an anxiety disorder that is, when the feelings are more frequent or do not disappear. Anxiety can also impact your daily routine and make it difficult to participate in social situations.

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

Lightheadedness or dizziness is another symptom of physical anxiety. This could be caused by rapid heart rate, hyperventilating, or an amalgamation of the two. It can also be an indication of a major medical issue like heart disease, which is why it is important to be checked out by your physician.

You might be feeling weak, especially in your arms or legs. This could be a sign of stress. This is because the nervous system releases adrenaline and cortisol which allow you to respond to threats by increasing your heart rate and preparing your body best medication for generalized anxiety disorder an attack. However, over time, those hormones may have a negative effect on your health, and could cause you to feel shakey and weak or dizzy.

You might experience more severe symptoms if your stressed and are having trouble sleeping. Try to relax before bed and follow a regular routine to get more rest. Exercise can also be beneficial. Exercise can help. Consult your physician if you are still struggling to sleep.

2. Stomach problems

Anxiety can cause your body to tense up and long-term anxiety can cause pain that persists for a long time. Your muscles could hurt and your stomach may feel off or you can develop diarrhea. Your gastrointestinal system can also be affected by the constant release of stress hormones, which can cause constipation, bloating and irritable bowel syndrome.

It is possible to experience stomach problems when you suffer from any anxiety disorder, but people with panic disorders are more likely to have these issues. Panic attacks are sudden sensations of fear or dread that occur in specific situations or for no apparent reason, according to the American Psychiatric Association. You may feel as if you're having a heart attack or that you are unable to breathe. You may also experience chest pains or an extremely rapid pulse.

Chronic anxiety can increase the risk of other health problems. The hormones that trigger anxiety symptoms help us respond to danger and if you're constantly in high alert all the time your immune system may be affected. This could make you more prone to contracting the common cold and other diseases.

Your doctor can diagnose anxiety disorders through physical examination and a discussion regarding your symptoms. Before diagnosing anxiety, they will determine if there are 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 teach you relaxation techniques and assist you to work through any underlying trauma or negative experience that might have led to anxiety. They can also assist you to identify a treatment plan that is suitable for you. Ask your doctor to refer you or search online directories for an anxiety specialist.

3. Muscle tension

Many people are aware that a racing pulse and a jittery hand are indicators of anxiety. But, they don't know that chronic muscle tension could be a sign of anxiety disorders like Generalized anxiety disorder medication anxiety disorder or social anxiety disorder panic disorder, and even specific fears. If someone is experiencing these symptoms on a regular basis they could lose their range and experience persistent pain in their neck, back and shoulders.

Tense muscles are a typical symptom of anxiety disorder because the body's fight-or-flight response triggers a cascade of bodily reactions that cause us to physically react to perceived threats. Moderate anxiety levels elicit these reactions as part of our instinctual survival instinct however, they can lead to long-term muscle problems when they occur regularly or over a long period of time.

If a serious threat is present the adrenal glands crank out hormones that speed up how fast your heart beats, so that it can pump more blood to the big muscles in your legs and arms in the event that you need to flee or fight the threat. These increased heart rates also boost how quickly your lungs are filled with oxygen. This combination of increased stress and hyperventilation can cause you to feel dizzy or lightheaded.

When you have an anxiety disorder, however your body isn't able to return to its normal state of rest between stress responses. The anxiety disorder makes you be constantly anxious which means that your sympathetic nervous system remains at a high level of alert. This leads to the chronic tension of your muscles, which can eventually cause chronic pain, according to the American Psychological Association. It can also affect your digestive system, causing stomachaches, constipation, diarrhea or irritable-bowel syndrome.

4. Dizziness

You may be shaky or unbalanced in the event of anxiety. This is due to the nervous system's response to anxiety. When you are worried or worried your body begins to tense and then relaxes. If, however, your anxiety is chronic and you experience these symptoms frequently you could be diagnosed with an anxiety disorder.

When you're worried on a regular basis it can be difficult to focus or get enough sleep. It also affects your body, and could cause you to gain weight, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Anxiety can also have a major influence on your menstrual cycles. According to the American Psychological Association, anxiety can cause you to miss your periods or experience irregular menstrual cycles by altering hormones that cause the ovulation.

Having high blood pressure or heart disease can make you more prone to anxiety, and it's essential to bring these medical conditions under control to decrease your risk. Tell your therapist if you are suffering from any of the following conditions.

Other things that could increase your risk for anxiety are traumatic events such as being involved in a car crash or having surgery. A chronic medical condition such as asthma or an ongoing health issue, such as diabetes, can create anxiety. There are solutions for anxiety disorders. They include psychotherapy or talk therapy, for instance cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) that helps you turn 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 you can take to calm your mind and body.

5. Sweating

Anxiety is a term that covers an array of emotions that can cause your heart rate to rise and your stomach to ache and your muscles to become tight. These emotions alone aren't enough to cause anxiety disorder however, when they become chronic, they can cause problems. There are also sweating, chills or other physical symptoms which prompt you to seek medical help.

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 kicks in it increases the rate of blood circulation to prepare you medication for social anxiety disorder the fight. This boost 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.

This imbalance may also cause a feeling of not being able to breathe, which is called dyspnea. It's a sign that your anxiety is becoming too overwhelming to manage.

Your doctor will determine if there is anxiety disorders by analyzing your symptoms and how they impact your daily life. You'll be asked about previous experiences as well as your current concerns. They may also run tests to identify other health issues that could be causing the symptoms, such as bloodwork and imaging scans. In certain instances, they might recommend medications to alleviate your symptoms, such as strong antiperspirants made of aluminium, nerve blocker best drugs for generalized anxiety disorder, or botulinum toxin type A (Botox) injections in the sweat glands. Alternative treatments include cognitive behavior therapy, psychotherapy and relaxation techniques like meditation or yoga.