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Physical Symptoms of Anxiety Disorder

While everyone feels anxious from time to time When anxiety becomes an illness, it can trigger physical symptoms, as well as emotional ones. They can be characterized by a feeling tension in the muscles, restlessness and stomach issues.

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

1. Headaches

Many people feel anxious at times. An anxiety disorder is when these feelings become continuous or more frequent. Anxiety can affect your daily life and make it difficult to participate in social situations.

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

Lightheadedness or dizziness is another symptom of physical anxiety. This can be due to an increased heart rate, hyperventilating or an amalgamation of the two. It can also be a sign of a serious medical condition like heart disease, so it is important to be checked out by your physician.

You might be feeling weak in your arms or legs and arms, which could be a sign of anxiety. This is because your nervous system releases cortisol and adrenaline, which helps you respond to danger by speeding up the heartbeat and preparing your body for a potential attack. However, over time these hormones can have the opposite impact on your health and can make you feel shaky and weak or dizzy.

You may experience worse symptoms if you're stressed and are having trouble sleeping. Relax before bed and stick to your routine. This will allow you to get more sleep. Exercise can also be beneficial. A vigorous aerobic workout can release brain chemicals that can reduce 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 treatment options.

2. Stomach issues

Anxiety can cause your body to tighten up, and chronic anxiety can lead to persistent pain. Your muscles may ache or your stomach may feel off or you can experience diarrhea. Stress hormones can also affect the digestive system, leading to constipation or irritable bowel syndrome.

You can experience stomach issues in any anxiety disorder, but people who suffer from panic disorders are more likely to experience stomach issues. Panic attacks are sudden sensations of fear or imminent doom that happen in specific circumstances or for no reason, according to the American Psychiatric Association. It could feel like you're having an attack on your heart or you're unable to breathe, or you might have chest pain or a rapid heartbeat.

Chronic anxiety increases your risk of other health problems, too. The hormones that trigger anxiety symptoms can help us react to dangers and if we're alert, our immune system can be affected. This can increase your risk of contracting the common cold, as well as other ailments.

Your doctor can diagnose anxiety disorders by conducting physical examination and a discussion about your symptoms. They will rule out other causes, such as thyroid or heart problems before determining that you suffer from anxiety. A mental health professional will be able to offer you assistance and support in managing your symptoms. They can assist you in learning techniques for relaxation and work through any traumas or negative experiences which might have contributed to anxiety. They can also assist you to find a treatment option that is appropriate for you. Ask your doctor to refer you, or look online for directories that feature an anxiety specialist.

3. Muscle tension

While the majority of people know that a racing heart and jittery hands are signs of anxiety, many don't know that tension in the muscles is a indicator of anxiety disorders such as generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) or social anxiety disorder (SAD) or panic disorder, or even specific phobias. If someone is experiencing these symptoms frequently, they can lose their mobility and suffer from chronic pain in their back, neck and shoulders.

Tense muscles are a sign of anxiety disorders due to the body's fight or flight response triggers a sequence of bodily reactions that trigger us to physically react when we sense danger. In moderate levels of anxiety, we trigger these responses as part of our instinctual survival instinct however, they can also lead to long-term muscle problems when they are frequent or over a long period of time.

If a real risk is present the adrenal glands produce hormones that boost the speed of your heartbeat to ensure that more blood is pumped to the muscles of your arms or legs in the event that you have to escape or fight. These increased heart rates also increase the rate that your lungs fill with oxygen. This combination of heightened stress and hyperventilation can cause you feel dizzy or lightheaded.

If you have an anxiety disorder your body isn't able to return to its normal state between stress-related responses. Your anxiety disorder makes you feel constantly anxious, so your sympathetic nervous system is on high alert. This leads to the continuous tension in your muscles that could eventually result in long-term pain, according to the American Psychological Association. It can also affect the digestive system causing stomachaches, diarrhea, constipation or irritable-bowel syndrome.

4. Dizziness





If you're a person who is anxious you may feel dizzy and out of balance. The reason for this is to be due to the nervous system's response to anxiety. The body gets tense whenever you think about something that scares or worries you, and then it relaxes when the threat is gone. If, however, your anxiety is recurring and you experience these symptoms frequently you may be diagnosed with an anxiety disorder.

If you're stressed frequently, it can be hard to focus or sleep enough. 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 skip periods or have irregular cycles due to altering hormones that trigger the ovulation.

High blood pressure or heart disease could increase your risk of anxiety, and it's essential to get these medical problems under control to reduce your risk. If you have these conditions, make sure to inform your therapist.

Traumatic experiences like a car accident or surgery can increase the risk of anxiety. Anxiety can be caused by a chronic illness, such as diabetes or asthma, or a recurring medical condition. There are treatments for anxiety disorders. Talk therapy or psychotherapy such as cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) can be helpful. CBT teaches you how to change negative thoughts and behaviors that cause anxiety to positive ones. You can also learn to use relaxation techniques like deep breathing or meditation. Additionally, there are supplements available to relax your mind and body.

5. Sweating

Anxiety is a term that covers many different feelings that can cause your heart rate to rise, your stomach to upset and your muscles to become tight. Most of the time, these feelings aren't enough to cause anxiety disorders, but if they're persistent they can become out of control. You might also experience sweating, chills and other physical symptoms which require medical help.

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 is activated, it increases the speed of blood circulation to prepare you for fighting or escape. The increased 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 cause an uneasy feeling that you are not breathing, which is called dyspnea. It's a sign that your anxiety is becoming too overwhelming to manage.

Your healthcare provider will assess your anxiety disorders by looking at your symptoms and the way they impact your daily activities. They'll begin by asking about your previous experiences and your current concerns. They may also conduct tests to check for other health problems that could be causing your symptoms, including bloodwork and imaging scanners. In some instances, they may prescribe medications to alleviate the symptoms. They can recommend strong antiperspirants that contain aluminium or other substances that block nerves, or Botox injections in the sweat glands. Alternative treatments include cognitive behavior therapy, psychotherapy, and relaxation techniques like yoga or meditation.