20 Trailblazers Lead The Way In Anxiety Disorder Physical Symptoms
Physical Symptoms of Anxiety Disorder
Everyone feels anxious at times, but when anxiety becomes an illness, it can trigger physical as well as emotional symptoms. This can include a feeling of anxiety, muscle tension and stomach issues.
A psychologist, psychiatrist or therapist may use screening tools to determine if you suffer from anxiety disorders. They will also inquire about your medical history and run tests to rule out other medical conditions that could cause similar symptoms.
1. Headaches
Most people feel anxious occasionally. But that's different from having an anxiety disorder, that is, when the feelings are more frequent or do not disappear. Anxiety can also affect your everyday life or cause you to avoid social situations.1
Headaches are a common physical symptom of anxiety. They can range from the normal tension headache2 up to a full-blown migraine in some people. This is because a lot of people tense their bodies as part of the fight-or-flight response and securing those muscles in a rigid position for long periods of time can cause pain.3
Another symptom of anxiety is lightheadedness or dizziness. This could be due to a fast heart rate, hyperventilating, or the combination of both. It could also be a sign of a serious medical condition like heart disease, so it is important to be checked by your physician.
You might also feel weak, especially in your legs or arms. This can be a sign of stress. This is because the nervous system releases cortisol and adrenaline which aid in responding to a threat by speeding up your heartbeat and prepare your body for a potential attack. In time, these hormones can have a negative effect on your health, making you feel weak, shakey or dizzy.
If panic anxiety disorder are having trouble getting enough sleep due to anxiety, it can cause your symptoms to get worse. Try to relax before bed and follow an established routine so that you can rest better. Exercise can also be beneficial. Exercise can help. Consult your physician in case you're struggling to sleep.
2. Stomach problems
Anxiety can cause the body to become tense and long-term anxiety can cause pain that persists for a long time. Your muscles could hurt, your stomach can be irritable, or you may develop diarrhea. Stress hormones can affect your gastrointestinal system, causing constipation or irritable bowel syndrome.
People with panic disorders have an increased chance of developing stomach problems. According to the American Psychiatric Association, panic attacks are sudden sensations or a fear of imminent danger. They can occur in specific situations or without a reason. You may feel like you're having a heart attack or that you're unable to breathe, or you may experience chest pain and a rapid heartbeat.
Chronic anxiety can increase your risk of other health issues also. The hormones that trigger anxiety symptoms allow us to respond to threats however, if we're always on alert our immune system may be affected. This could make you more vulnerable to contracting the common cold as well as other diseases.
Your doctor can diagnose anxiety disorders by conducting a an examination and talking to you about your symptoms. Before diagnosing anxiety, they'll determine if there are other causes, such as thyroid and heart diseases. A mental health professional can also provide assistance and support to manage your symptoms. They can help you learn relaxation techniques and help you work through any underlying negative or traumatic experiences that might have contributed to anxiety. They can also assist you in locating the best treatment for you. Ask your doctor to refer you or look online for directories that feature an anxiety specialist.
3. Muscle tension
Many people are aware that a fast pulse and a hand that is jittery are indications of anxiety. However, they do not realize that muscle tension could be a sign of anxiety disorders like generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and specific fears. If someone is suffering from these symptoms regularly they could lose their mobility and feel constant discomfort in their neck, back and shoulders.
Tense muscles are a common sign of anxiety disorders because the body's fight-or-flight response triggers a chain of bodily reactions that cause us to physically react to perceived threats. These reactions are a normal part of our survival instincts, however, they can cause problems in the long run if they are repeated or over a long period of time.
When there is a real danger the adrenal glands crank out hormones that accelerate 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 flee or fight the threat. The increased heart rate can boost how quickly your lungs are filled with oxygen. This combination of heightened stress and hyperventilation can make you feel lightheaded or dizzy.
If you suffer from an anxiety disorder, however your body isn't able to its normal state of rest between stress reactions. The anxiety disorder makes you be constantly anxious and your sympathetic nervous system remains on high alert. According to the American Psychological Association, this could lead to chronic muscle tension and lasting pain. It can also affect your digestive system, causing stomachaches constipation, diarrhea or irritable-bowel syndrome.
4. Dizziness
You might feel dizzy or out of balance in the event of anxiety. This is because of the nervous system's response to anxiety. When you are anxious or scared, your body tenses and then it relaxes. If you are experiencing these symptoms frequently and your anxiety is persistent you could be suffering from an anxiety disorder.
If you're stressed on a regular basis, it can be hard to concentrate or get enough sleep. According to the Cleveland Clinic, it can also cause your body to suffer and you could gain weight. Anxiety also has a big effect on your menstrual cycle. According to the American Psychological Association, anxiety can cause you to miss your periods or have irregular cycles due to altering hormones that trigger ovulation.
You can be more susceptible to anxiety if you suffer from high blood pressure or heart problems. It is essential to manage these medical conditions to lower your risk. If you have these conditions, make sure to tell your therapist.
A traumatic experience like a car accident or surgery can also increase the risk of anxiety. Anxiety can be caused by chronic illnesses, such as diabetes or asthma or a chronic medical illness. There are panic anxiety disorder for anxiety disorders. They include psychotherapy, or talk therapy, like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which teaches you to turn negative anxiety-inducing thoughts and behaviors into positive ones. You can also learn relaxation techniques, such as meditation and deep breathing. In addition, there are supplements that 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 make your heart beat faster and your stomach ache, as well as your muscles tight. These emotions alone aren't enough to cause anxiety disorders, but when they become chronic, it could cause problems. You might also experience sweating, chills or other physical symptoms that require medical attention.
Sweating is a common physical sign of anxiety disorders, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. When your body's "fight-or-flight" response kicks in, it boosts the speed of blood circulation to prepare you for battle. 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.
This imbalance could also cause the feeling of not being breathing or breathe, which is known as dyspnea. It's an indication that your anxiety is becoming too severe to control.
Your healthcare provider will assess your anxiety disorders based on your reported symptoms and the way they interfere with your daily life. They'll begin by asking about your previous experiences and your current concerns. They may also conduct tests to identify other health issues that may be the cause of your symptoms, like imaging scanners and blood tests. In some instances, they might recommend medications to ease your symptoms, including strong antiperspirants containing aluminium, nerve-blocking drugs or botulinum toxin type A (Botox) injections around the sweat glands. Alternative treatments include psychotherapy, cognitive therapy and relaxation techniques such as yoga or meditation.