Physical Symptoms of Anxiety Disorder
Everyone experiences anxiety at times If anxiety develops into an illness, it can trigger physical symptoms as well as emotional ones. They can be characterized by a feeling anxiety, muscle tension and stomach problems.
A psychiatrist, psychologist or therapist will employ screening tools to determine whether you suffer from anxiety disorders. They will also inquire about your medical history and will run tests to rule out other health conditions which may cause similar symptoms.
1. Headaches
The majority of people have anxiety from time to some point. An anxiety disorder occurs when these feelings become persistent or more frequent. Anxiety can also impact your daily routine and make it difficult to participate in social situations.
The most frequent physical sign of anxiety are headaches. They can range from the average tension headache2 to a full-blown migraine for some people. A lot of people tighten their muscles as part of a fight-or-flight response, and retaining them in a rigid position for a long duration can cause pain.
Another physical symptom of anxiety is dizziness or lightheadedness. It can be caused by an increased heart rate, hyperventilating, or a combination of both. It could also be an indication of a major medical condition like heart disease, so it is important to be examined by your doctor.
You may be feeling weak, especially in your arms or legs. This could be a sign of stress. This is because the nervous system releases adrenaline and cortisol which aid in responding to a threat by increasing your heart rate and prepare your body for an attack. Over time, however these hormones can have a negative effect on your health, and could cause you to feel shakey and weak or dizzy.
You may experience worse symptoms if your stressed and are having trouble sleeping. Relax before bed and stick to a routine. This will allow you to get more sleep. Exercise can also be helpful. Exercise can also help. If you're still having difficulty sleeping, speak to your doctor about possible treatment options.
2. Stomach problems
The body is tense in response to anxiety, and if you suffer from chronic anxiety it can cause constant discomfort. You may experience muscle aches, stomach discomfort or diarrhea. Stress hormones can also affect the digestive system, causing constipation or irritablebowel syndrome.
People with panic disorders have a higher chance of developing stomach problems. Panic attacks are sudden feelings of fear or imminent doom that occur in specific situations or for no reason according to the American Psychiatric Association. You might feel as if you're having an attack of the heart or that you can't breathe, and you might experience chest pain or a rapid heartbeat.
Chronic anxiety can increase your risk for other health problems, too. The hormones that trigger the symptoms of anxiety help us respond to danger however, if you're on high alert all the time, your immune system can suffer. This can make you more prone to contracting the common cold as well as other diseases.
Your doctor is able to diagnose anxiety disorders with physical examination and a conversation regarding your symptoms. They will rule out other reasons, such as thyroid or heart problems prior to determining you have anxiety. A mental health professional will also be able to offer you support and help manage your symptoms. They can help you learn techniques for relaxation and work through any underlying traumas or negative experiences which might have contributed to anxiety. They can also assist you in locating the best 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
While most people know that a heart racing and hands that feel jittery are signs of anxiety, many people do not know that tension in the muscles is a indicator of anxiety disorders such as generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), social anxiety disorder (SAD) or panic disorder, or certain phobias. If someone is experiencing these symptoms frequently they may lose their mobility and feel constant pain 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 chain of bodily reactions that trigger us to physically react to perceived threats. Moderate anxiety levels elicit these reactions as part of our natural survival instinct however, they can also cause long-term problems with muscles when they are frequent or over a prolonged period of time.
When a real threat occurs, your adrenal glands churn out hormones that accelerate the rate at which your heart beats so that it can pump more blood to the massive muscles in your arms and legs in case you have to flee or fight the threat. The increased heart rate can increase the speed at which your lungs fill with oxygen. The combination of increased tension and hyperventilation could make you feel lightheaded or dizzy.
When you have an anxiety disorder, your body isn't able to return to its normal state of rest between stress reactions. The anxiety disorder causes you to feel anxious all the time, so your sympathetic nervous system remains at a high level of alert. This leads to the chronic tension of your muscles, which can eventually cause long-term pain, according to the American Psychological Association. It can also affect your digestive system, which can cause stomach pain, constipation, diarrhea, or irritable bowel syndrome.
4. Dizziness
If you're an anxious person, you may often feel dizzy and out of balance. The reason for this has to be due to the nervous system's response to anxiety. If you are stressed or anxious your body begins to tense and then relaxes. If, however, your anxiety is chronic and you experience these symptoms frequently you could be diagnosed with an anxiety disorder.
It can be difficult to sleep or focus when you are constantly stressed. According to the Cleveland Clinic, it can also cause your body to suffer, and you may gain weight. Anxiety can also have a major impact on your menstrual cycles. That's because it can cause you to miss or have irregular menstrual flow due to the inability to release ovulation-inducing hormones, according to the American Psychological Association.
You can be more susceptible to anxiety if you have high blood pressure or heart problems. It is essential to manage these medical conditions to decrease your risk. If you have these conditions, be sure to inform your therapist.
Other factors that increase the risk of anxiety are traumatic experiences like being in a car crash or having surgery. A chronic medical condition, such as asthma or an ongoing health issue, such as diabetes, can cause anxiety. The good news is that there are treatments that can help with anxiety disorders. https://rentry.co/qqewyi5w include psychotherapy, or talk therapy, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) that helps you transform negative thoughts and behaviors that trigger anxiety into positive ones. You can also learn to use relaxation techniques, like meditation or deep breathing. Additionally there are supplements that you can take to calm your body and mind.
5. Sweating
Anxiety is a term used to describe for a variety of daunting feelings that can make your heart beat faster and your stomach turn a bit upset, and your muscles tight. Most of the time, these feelings aren't enough to cause anxiety disorder--but when they're chronic and become out of control. You might also experience chills, sweating and other physical symptoms that cause you to seek medical attention.
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 kicks in, it increases the speed at which your blood circulates to prepare you for battle or escape. The increased heart rate can cause you to feel exhausted and dizzy. 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.
Dyspnea refers to a feeling that you can't breathe. This is a sign that your anxiety has become too severe to handle.
Your healthcare provider will determine if you suffer from an anxiety disorder by looking at your symptoms and how they affect your daily life. They'll begin by asking about your previous experiences and your current concerns. They may also perform tests to determine if you have any other health issues that could be causing your symptoms, such as imaging scanners and blood tests. In some instances, they may suggest medications to ease symptoms. They can recommend strong antiperspirants that contain aluminium, drugs that block nerves and Botox injections around sweat glands. Alternative treatments include psychotherapy, cognitive behavior therapy and relaxation techniques such as meditation or yoga.