Physical Symptoms of Anxiety Disorder

While everyone feels anxious at times When anxiety becomes a disorder it can cause physical symptoms as well as emotional ones. They can be characterized by a feeling anxiety, muscle tension and stomach problems.

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 run tests to rule other medical conditions that could cause similar symptoms.

1. Headaches

Many people feel anxious at times. An anxiety disorder is when these symptoms are persistent or more frequent. Anxiety can affect your daily routine or cause you to avoid social situations.1

Headaches are a common physical symptom associated with anxiety. They can range from a tension headache2 all the way to a complete migraine for some people. This is due to the fact that many people tense their bodies in response to the fight or flight response, and holding those muscles for prolonged periods of time can lead to pain.3

Another physical sign of anxiety is lightheadedness or dizziness. It can be caused by a fast heart rate, hyperventilating, or a combination of both. It could be a sign you have an illness anxiety disorder that is serious, such as heart disease. Talk to your doctor to determine.

You might also feel weak, especially in your arms or legs. This can be a sign of anxiety. This is because your nervous system releases cortisol and adrenaline which help you react to danger by accelerating the heartbeat and preparing your body for a potential attack. Over time these hormones can have a negative impact on your health, causing you feel weak, shaky or dizzy.

If you have trouble getting enough sleep because of anxiety, it could make your symptoms worse. Relax before bed and stick to the same routine. This will allow you to get more sleep. Exercise can be beneficial. Exercise can help. If you still have difficulties sleeping, consult your doctor about options for treatment.

2. Stomach issues

Anxiety can cause the body to become tense, and chronic anxiety can cause pain that persists for a long time. Your muscles could hurt, your stomach can be irritable, or you may experience diarrhea. Your digestive system may be affected by the constant release of stress hormones, and this could lead to constipation, bloating, or IBS.

People who suffer from panic disorders are at a higher risk of having stomach issues. According to the American Psychiatric Association, panic attacks are sudden, intense feelings or terror of impending doom. They can happen in specific circumstances or without any reason. It could feel like you are having a heartattack or that you cannot breathe. You might also experience chest pains or a rapid pulse.

Long-term anxiety may increase your chances of developing other health problems. The hormones that trigger anxiety symptoms help us to respond to threats, but if we're constantly on alert our immune system could be affected. This could make you more prone to the common cold, and other ailments.

Your doctor can diagnose anxiety disorders by conducting a an examination of your body and asking you about your symptoms. Before diagnosing anxiety, they will rule out other causes such as thyroid or heart problems. A mental health professional can also provide support and assistance to manage your symptoms. They can help you learn relaxation techniques and help you overcome any underlying trauma or negative experience that may have caused anxiety. They can also assist you to determine the best treatment option that is suitable for you. Ask your doctor to refer you or look online for directories that feature an anxiety specialist.

3. Muscle tension

While most people know that a heart racing and hands that feel jittery are signs of anxiety, a lot of people don't realize that chronic muscle tension is a physical sign of anxiety disorders like generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) as well as social anxiety disorder (SAD) panic disorder, or specific phobias. If a person is experiencing these symptoms on a regular basis, they can lose their range of motion and feel constant discomfort in their back, neck and shoulders.

Tense muscles are a common sign of anxiety disorders because the body's fight-or flight response triggers a cascade of responses that trigger us to physically react to perceived threats. In moderate levels of anxiety, we trigger these responses as part of our natural survival instinct, but they can lead to long-term muscle problems when they happen frequently or over a long period of time.

When there what is anxiety panic disorder a real danger, your adrenal glands churn out hormones that accelerate how fast your heart beats so that it can pump more blood to the massive muscles in your legs and arms in case you need to flee or fight threat. These increased heart rates also boost how quickly your lungs fill with oxygen. The combination of increased tension and hyperventilation could make you feel dizzy or lightheaded.

If you suffer from an anxiety disorder,, your body can't return to its normal state of relaxation between stress reactions. You feel anxious throughout the day due to your anxiety disorder, which is why you keep your sympathetic nervous system on alert. According to the American Psychological Association, this could lead to chronic muscle tension and lasting pain. It can also affect your digestive system, which could cause stomach pain, 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 tenses up whenever you think about something that scares or worries you, but then relaxes when the threat is gone. If, however, your anxiety is persistent and you are experiencing these symptoms often, you may be diagnosed with an anxiety disorder.

If you're stressed on a regular basis, it can be hard 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 significant 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 cause ovulation.

High blood pressure or heart disease may make you more susceptible to anxiety, which is why it's crucial to bring these medical conditions under control to decrease your risk. Inform your therapist if you are suffering from any of the following conditions.

Other things that could increase the risk of anxiety are traumatic experiences like being in a car crash or having surgery. Anxiety can be caused by a chronic illness anxiety disorder, like asthma or diabetes or a chronic medical illness. There are treatments for anxiety disorders. Psychotherapy or talk therapy such as cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) can be helpful. CBT teaches you how to transform negative behavior patterns and thoughts that cause anxiety into positive ones. You can also learn how to practice relaxation techniques, such as meditation or deep breathing. You can supplement your diet with supplements to relax your mind and body.

5. Sweating

Anxiety is a term used to describe for a whole cluster of threatening feelings that can make your heart race and your stomach ache, as well as your muscles tense. These emotions alone aren't enough to cause anxiety disorders however, when they become chronic, they can be a problem. You may also experience sweating, chills and other physical symptoms that prompt you to seek medical treatment.

Sweating is a common physical symptom of anxiety disorders, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. When your body's fight or flight response is activated, it increases the rate of blood circulation to prepare you for battle 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 able to breathe and is known as dyspnea. It's a sign that your anxiety has become too intense to manage.

Your healthcare provider will assess your anxiety disorders in light of your symptoms and the way they affect your daily activities. You'll be asked about your previous experiences as well as current concerns. They may also conduct tests to determine if you have any other health problems that could be the cause of your symptoms, like bloodwork and imaging scanners. In certain instances, they might suggest medications to ease symptoms. These include powerful antiperspirants with aluminium in them, drugs that block nerves, or Botox injections to treat sweat glands. Alternative treatments include psychotherapy, cognitive therapy and relaxation techniques such as meditation or yoga.