Physical Symptoms of Anxiety Disorder

Everyone experiences anxiety at times, but when anxiety becomes an illness, it can trigger physical and emotional symptoms. This can include a feeling of tension in the muscles, restlessness and stomach problems.

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

1. Headaches

Most people feel anxious occasionally. An anxiety disorder occurs when these feelings are constant or frequent. Anxiety can also affect your daily routine or cause you to avoid social situations.1

Headaches are a typical physical symptom that is associated with anxiety. They can range from the average tension headache2 to a full-blown migraine in some people. A lot of people tighten their muscles as part causes of anxiety disorder a fight or flight response, and holding them in a rigid way for a prolonged time could cause pain.

Another symptom of anxiety is dizziness or lightheadedness. It can be caused by rapid heart rate, hyperventilating or a combination of both. It can also be an indication of a major medical condition like heart disease, which is why it's important to get checked out by your doctor.

You might be feeling weak, especially in your legs or arms. This can be a 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 preparing your body for a potential attack. In time the hormones can have a negative impact on your health, causing you feel weak, shakey or dizzy.

If you're having difficulty getting enough sleep because of anxiety, it could cause your symptoms to get worse. Try to unwind before bed and adhere to an established routine so that you can rest better. Exercise can also be beneficial. Exercise can also help. If you're still having difficulties sleeping, consult your doctor Anxiety disorder physical Symptoms about options for treatment.

2. Stomach issues

The body tenses up when you are anxious, and if you suffer from chronic anxiety and eating disorders, it can result in persistent discomfort. Your muscles may ache, your stomach can feel a bit sluggish, or you could develop diarrhea. Stress hormones can also affect your gastrointestinal system, causing constipation or irritable bowel syndrome.

People suffering from panic disorders are at a higher risk of stomach problems. Panic attacks are sudden feelings of terror or impending doom that happen in specific circumstances or for no apparent reason according to the American Psychiatric Association. It could feel like you're experiencing an attack on your heart or you can't breathe, and you might experience chest pain and a rapid heartbeat.

Long-term anxiety can increase your risk of developing other health issues. The hormones that trigger anxiety symptoms can help us respond to threats however, if we're always on alert, our immune system can be affected. This could make you more vulnerable to getting the common cold as well as other diseases.

Your doctor can diagnose anxiety disorders by doing a physical exam and interviewing you about your symptoms. They can rule out other reasons, such as thyroid or heart problems prior to determining you have anxiety. A mental health professional will be able to provide support and help manage your symptoms. They can help you learn relaxation techniques and assist you to overcome any underlying trauma or negative experiences that might have led to your anxiety. They can also help you in finding the right treatment for you. Ask your doctor for a referral, or check online therapist directories to find a therapist who is an expert in anxiety.

3. Muscle tension

Many people are aware that a twitchy pulse and a jittery hand are indicators of anxiety. But, they don't realize that muscle tension can be an indication of anxiety disorders such as generalized anxiety disorder treatment anxiety disorder or social anxiety disorder panic disorder, and specific fears. If a person is experiencing these symptoms regularly, they can lose their range of motion and suffer from chronic discomfort in their back, neck and shoulders.

Tense muscles are a typical sign of anxiety disorders because the body's fight-or flight response triggers a cascade of reactions that result in us physically reacting to perceived threats. In moderate levels of anxiety, we trigger these reactions as part of our natural survival instinct however, they can cause long-term muscle issues when they happen frequently or over a prolonged period of time.

When there is a real danger your adrenal glands pump out hormones that speed up the speed at which your heart beats to ensure it can pump more blood to the massive muscles in your legs and arms in case you need to escape or fight the danger. The increased heart rate can boost how quickly your lungs fill with oxygen. This combination of increased stress and hyperventilation can cause you to feel dizzy or lightheaded.

If you suffer from an separation anxiety disorder symptoms-related condition, your body is unable to return to its normal state between stress responses. Your anxiety disorder makes you be constantly anxious and your sympathetic nervous system is on high alert. This leads to the continuous tension in your muscles that can eventually cause long-term 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 feel dizzy or out of balance if you are anxious. 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 it relaxes once the threat passes. If you experience these symptoms often and your anxiety is chronic it could be that you suffer from an anxiety disorder.

It is difficult to fall asleep or focus when you are constantly worried. According to the Cleveland Clinic, it can also cause your body to suffer and you could gain weight. Anxiety also has a big impact on your menstrual cycle. That's because it can cause you to skip or have irregular menstrual flow due to the inability to release hormones that trigger ovulation, as per the American Psychological Association.

High blood pressure or heart disease could make you more prone to anxiety, so it's important to get these medical issues under control to lower your risk. If you suffer from these conditions, make sure to tell your therapist.

Traumatic experiences like a car crash or surgery can also increase your anxiety risk. A chronic medical condition, such as asthma or chronic health issues, such as diabetes, can create anxiety. There are solutions for anxiety disorders. Psychotherapy or talk therapy such as cognitive behavioral treatment (CBT) can help. CBT teaches you how to transform negative behavior patterns and thoughts that cause anxiety into positive ones. You can also learn relaxation techniques, such as meditation and deep breathing. Additionally there are supplements available to relax your mind and body.

5. Sweating

anxiety disorder physical symptoms is a term that encompasses an array of emotions that can cause your heart rate to rise, Anxiety disorder Physical symptoms your stomach to upset and your muscles to tighten. Oftentimes, these feelings aren't enough to cause anxiety disorders, but if they're persistent, they can become out of control. There are also sweating, chills and other physical symptoms which require medical help.

According to the National Institute of Mental Health sweating is a typical physical manifestation of anxiety disorders. When your body's fight-or flight response is activated, it increases the rate of blood circulation to prepare you best cure for anxiety disorder 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 also cause a feeling of not being breathing or breathe, which is known as dyspnea. It's an indication that your anxiety is getting too intense to manage.

Your doctor will determine if you have an anxiety disorder by looking at your symptoms and how they affect your daily routine. They'll begin by asking you about your past experiences and current concerns. They may also conduct tests to identify other health problems that could be contributing to your symptoms, like imaging scanners and blood tests. In certain instances, they might recommend medications to help 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 behavior therapy, and relaxation techniques such as meditation or yoga.