Physical Symptoms of Anxiety Disorder

Although everyone experiences anxiety from time to time, when anxiety becomes a problem, it can cause physical symptoms as well as emotional ones. They can be characterized by a feeling of agitation, muscle tension and stomach issues.

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

1. Headaches

The majority of people experience anxiety from time to some point. However, this is different from having an anxiety disorder which is when the feelings are more frequent or do not disappear. Anxiety can also affect your daily life or cause you to avoid social situations.1

One of the most common physical symptoms of anxiety is headaches. They can range from tension headache2 to a full-blown, migraine in some individuals. This is because a lot of people tighten their muscles as part of the fight-or-flight response, and holding those muscles rigidly for long periods of time can lead to pain.3

Another physical sign of anxiety is lightheadedness or dizziness. This can be due to an increased heart rate, hyperventilating, or the combination of both. It could be a sign you are suffering from a serious medical condition like heart disease. Talk to your doctor to find out.

You might also feel weak, particularly in your legs or arms. This can be a sign of anxiety. This is because the nervous system releases adrenaline and cortisol which aid in responding to threats by speeding up your heartbeat and preparing your body for an attack. However, over time these hormones can have the opposite effect on your health and could cause you to feel shakey, weak, or dizzy.

If you are having trouble getting enough sleep because of anxiety, it could make your symptoms worse. Relax before bed and adhere to a routine. This will allow you to get more sleep. Exercise can also be helpful. A vigorous aerobic workout can release brain chemicals that can reduce stress and improve your mood. It can help you fall asleep easier. Talk to your doctor in case you're struggling to sleep.

2. Stomach problems

Anxiety can cause the body to tighten up and long-term anxiety can cause pain that persists for a long time. There may be muscle aches, stomach discomfort or diarrhea. Stress hormones can also affect your digestive system, causing constipation or irritable bowel syndrome.

You can experience stomach issues with any type of anxiety disorder, but people who suffer from panic disorders are more likely to have them. According to the American Psychiatric Association, panic attacks are sudden, intense feelings or terror of impending death. They can occur in specific situations or without any reason. You might feel as if you're having a heart attack or that you are unable to breathe. You may also experience chest pains or an intense pulse.

Long-term anxiety may increase the risk of developing other health issues. The hormones that trigger the symptoms of anxiety help us respond to danger and if you're constantly in high alert throughout the day, your immune system can suffer. This could make you more susceptible to catching the common cold as well as other ailments.

Your doctor can diagnose anxiety disorders through a an examination and talking to you about your symptoms. Before diagnosing anxiety, they can determine if there are other causes, such as heart disease and thyroid problems. A mental health professional can provide support and assistance to manage your symptoms. They can help you learn relaxation techniques and help you work through any underlying traumas or negative experiences which may have caused anxiety. They can also help you find a treatment option that is suitable for you. Ask your doctor for a referral, or browse online therapist directories to find a therapist who is an expert in anxiety.

3. Muscle tension

While most 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) panic disorder, or specific phobias. If https://notes.io/whS66 is suffering from these symptoms regularly, they can lose their mobility and feel constant 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 series of responses that result in us physically reacting to perceived threats. These reactions are a normal part of our survival instincts however, they can cause problems in the long run if they are repeated or occur over a long 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 your muscles that are large in your arms or legs in the event you have to escape or fight. Those increased heart rates also increase the speed at which your lungs are filled with oxygen. The combination of stress and hyperventilation may cause you to feel lightheaded or dizzy.

If you have an anxiety disorder, your body is unable to return to its normal state between stress reactions. The anxiety disorder causes you to feel constantly anxious and your sympathetic nervous system remains at a high level of alert. This leads to the continuous tensing of your muscles and could eventually result in 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

If you're an anxious person, you may often be shaky and unbalanced. The reason for this is to be due to the nervous system's response to anxiety. When you are worried or anxious your body tightens and then relaxes. If you experience these symptoms frequently and your anxiety is chronic you could be suffering from an anxiety disorder.

It is difficult to fall asleep or focus when you are always worried. It also affects your body, and could cause you to gain weight, per the Cleveland Clinic. Anxiety can also have a significant impact on your menstrual cycles. This is because it can cause you to skip or experience irregular menstrual cycles because it affects the release of ovulation-inducing hormones, according to the American Psychological Association.

A high blood pressure or heart disease could increase your risk of anxiety, which is why it's crucial to bring these medical conditions under control to lower your risk. If you're suffering from any of these conditions, make sure to tell your therapist.

A traumatic experience such as a car crash or surgery may also increase your anxiety risk. https://rentry.co/qsy4hsei can be triggered by chronic illnesses, such as diabetes or asthma, or a recurring medical health condition. There are treatments for https://pastelink.net/wpm5yir7 s. Talk therapy or psychotherapy such as cognitive behavioral treatment (CBT) can aid. CBT teaches you how to change negative behavior patterns and thoughts that cause anxiety into positive ones. You can also learn to practice relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing or meditation. You can also take supplements to calm your body and mind.

5. Sweating

Anxiety is a term that encompasses a wide range of feelings that can cause your heart to race and your stomach to become upset and your muscles to become tight. Most of the time, these feelings aren't enough to cause anxiety disorder--but when they're chronic, they can become out of control. You might also experience chills, sweating and other physical symptoms that prompt you to seek medical treatment.

The habit of sweating is a common manifestation 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 at which your blood circulates to prepare you for fight or escape. The increased heart rate may make you feel faint or 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.

This imbalance can also cause an uneasy feeling that you are not breathing, which is called dyspnea. This could be a sign that your anxiety has become too severe to handle.

Your healthcare provider will determine if you suffer from an anxiety disorder by evaluating your symptoms and how they affect your daily life. They'll start by asking you about your experiences in the past and current concerns. They might also conduct tests to identify other health issues that may be causing them, such as imaging scans and blood tests. In some instances, they may suggest medications to ease your symptoms. These include strong antiperspirants with aluminium in them and other drugs that block nerves, or Botox injections in the sweat glands. Alternative treatments include cognitive behavioral therapy, psychotherapy, and techniques for relaxation such as meditation or yoga.