Physical Symptoms of Anxiety Disorder

Everyone experiences anxiety at times, when anxiety becomes a problem, it can cause physical symptoms, as well as emotional ones. These include a feeling of anxiety, muscle tension and stomach issues.

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

1. Headaches

Most people have anxiety from time to times. An anxiety disorder is when these feelings are continuous or more frequent. Anxiety can affect your daily routine and cause you to avoid social situations.

A common physical symptom of anxiety is headaches. They can range from tension headache2 all the way to a complete migraine in some people. A lot of people tighten their muscles as part of a fight-or-flight response, and retaining them in a rigid way for a prolonged duration can cause pain.

Another physical sign of anxiety is dizziness or lightheadedness. This could be caused by a rapid heart rate, hyperventilating or the combination of both. It can also be an indication of a serious medical condition like heart disease, and it's important to get checked by your doctor.

You might be feeling weak in your legs or arms this could be another sign of anxiety. This is because the nervous system releases adrenaline and cortisol which allow you to respond to threats by increasing your heart rate and getting your body ready for an attack. Over time the hormones could have a negative impact on your health, making you feel weak, shakey or dizzy.

You may experience worse symptoms if your anxious and have difficulty sleeping. Relax before bed and follow a routine. This will help you get more rest. Exercise is also helpful. Aerobic exercise can release brain chemicals that cut stress and improve your mood, and it can assist you in falling asleep faster. If you still have trouble sleeping, talk to your doctor about options for treatment.

2. Stomach issues

The body is tense in response to anxiety and if you have chronic anxiety it can result in persistent pain. Your muscles might ache and your stomach may feel a bit sluggish, or you could experience diarrhea. Stress hormones can affect your digestive system, causing constipation or irritable bowel syndrome.

People who suffer from panic disorders are at an increased risk of having stomach issues. According to the American Psychiatric Association, panic attacks are sudden feelings or fear of imminent doom. They can happen in specific circumstances or without apparent reason. It could feel like you're experiencing a heart attack or that you cannot breathe. You may also experience chest pains, and a rapid pulse.

Long-term anxiety can increase your risk for other health issues also. The hormones that cause anxiety symptoms allow us to respond to a danger and if we're alert, our immune system can be affected. This can increase your risk of contracting the common cold, and other illnesses.

Your doctor is able to diagnose anxiety disorders with physical examination and a discussion about your symptoms. They can rule out other causes, such as thyroid issues or heart disease before determining that you suffer from anxiety disorders causes. A mental health professional can also offer support and help you manage your symptoms. They can assist you in learning techniques for relaxation and work through any traumas or negative experiences that may have caused anxiety. They can also help you in finding the appropriate 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 racing pulse and a hand that is jittery are indications of anxiety. But, they don't realize that muscle tension could be an indication of anxiety disorders like generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and certain fears. If someone is suffering from these symptoms on a regular basis they could lose their mobility and suffer from chronic pain in their neck, back and shoulders.

Tense muscles may be a symptom of anxiety disorders because the body's fight or flight response triggers a sequence of responses that trigger us to physically react when we perceive threats. A moderate level of anxiety triggers these responses as part our natural survival instinct, but they can cause long-term muscle issues when they are frequent or over a prolonged period of time.

If a real risk is present your adrenal glands release hormones that boost the speed of your heartbeat so that more blood is pumped to the muscles of your legs or arms in the event that you have to escape or fight. These increased heart rates also boost how quickly your lungs are filled with oxygen. The combination of stress and hyperventilation can cause you feel dizzy or lightheaded.

If you suffer from an anxiety disorder, however your body isn't able to return to its normal state of relaxation between stress-related responses. The anxiety disorder causes you to feel anxious all the time and your sympathetic nervous system stays in high alert. According to the American Psychological Association, this can cause chronic muscle tensing and long-term pain. It can also affect your digestive system, which can cause stomachaches, constipation, diarrhea, or irritable bowel syndrome.

4. Dizziness

You might feel dizzy or off-balance in the event of anxiety. This is due to the nervous system's response to anxiety. Your body is tense when you think of something that scares or worries you, and then relaxes once the threat passes. If you experience these symptoms frequently and your anxiety is persistent, you may have an anxiety disorder.

If you're stressed on a regular basis it can be difficult to concentrate or get enough sleep. According to the Cleveland Clinic, it can also cause your body to suffer, and you may gain weight. Anxiety also has a major effect on your menstrual cycle. According to the American Psychological Association, anxiety can cause you to skip your menstrual cycle or experience irregular menstrual cycles by affecting hormones that induce menstrual ovulation.

You are more prone to does anxiety disorder ever go away if you suffer from high blood pressure or heart issues. It is important to manage these medical conditions to lower your risk. Inform your therapist if you suffer from any of these ailments.

Other things that can increase your risk for anxiety are traumatizing experiences such as being involved in a car crash or having surgery. Anxiety can be triggered by a chronic illness such as diabetes or asthma, or a recurring medical illness. There are treatments for anxiety disorders. They include psychotherapy, also known as talk therapy, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) which teaches you to turn negative anxiety-inducing thoughts and actions into positive ones. You can also learn relaxation techniques such as deep breathing and meditation. In addition there are supplements available to calm your body and mind.

5. Sweating

Anxiety is a term that covers an array of emotions that can cause your heart to beat and your stomach to become upset and your muscles to tighten. These feelings alone are not enough to cause anxiety disorders meaning disorder however, when they become chronic, they can become a problem. There are also sweating, chills or other physical symptoms that require medical assistance.

According to the National Institute of Mental Health sweating is a typical physical manifestation of anxiety disorders medicine disorders. When your body's fight or flight response kicks in, it increases the speed at which your blood circulates to prepare you for battle or escape. The increased heart rate may make you feel dizzy or 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.

This imbalance can cause the feeling of not being able to breathe, which is called dyspnea. It's a sign that your Anxiety disorders definition has become too overwhelming to manage.

Your healthcare provider will assess your anxiety disorders based on your reported symptoms and the way they impact your daily routine. You'll be asked about previous experiences as well as your current concerns. They may also run tests to look for other health issues that may be causing the symptoms, such as bloodwork and imaging scans. In some instances they may recommend medication to ease your symptoms, including strong antiperspirants containing aluminium, nerve-blocking drugs or botulinum toxin type A (Botox) injections in the sweat glands. Alternative treatments include psychotherapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, and relaxation techniques such as yoga or meditation.