Physical Symptoms of Anxiety Disorder

Every person experiences anxiety at some point however when anxiety turns into an illness, it can trigger physical as well as emotional symptoms. They can be characterized by a feeling restlessness, muscle tension and stomach problems.

A psychiatrist, psychologist, or therapist uses screening tools to determine if you suffer from anxiety disorders. 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

Many people feel anxious from time times. However, this is different from having an anxiety disorder that is, when the feelings are more frequent or do not disappear. Anxiety can affect your daily routine 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 due to the fact that many people tighten their muscles as part of their fight-or-flight response and holding their muscles in a rigid position for long periods of time can cause pain.3

Another physical symptom of anxiety is dizziness or lightheadedness. It could be due to rapid heart rate, hyperventilating or an amalgamation of the two. It could also be a sign of a serious medical problem such as heart disease, so it is important to be checked by your physician.

You might also feel weak in the legs or arms, which can be another indication of anxiety. This is because your nervous system releases adrenaline and cortisol which help you react to a danger by speeding up the heartbeat and preparing your body for an attack. In https://www.iampsychiatry.com/anxiety-disorders , these hormones can have a negative effect on your health, making you feel weak, shakey or dizzy.

You might experience more severe symptoms if you're anxious and have difficulty sleeping. Try to relax before bed and follow an established routine so that you can rest better. Exercise can be beneficial. Exercise can also aid. Talk to your doctor in case you're struggling to sleep.

2. Stomach problems

Anxiety can cause your body to tighten up and chronic anxiety may lead to persistent pain. Your muscles may ache, your stomach can be irritable, or you may get diarrhea. Your gastrointestinal system can also be affected by the constant release of stress hormones, which can cause constipation, bloating and IBS.

It is possible to experience stomach problems in any anxiety disorder, however people with panic disorders are more likely to experience them. Panic attacks are sudden feelings of fear or imminent doom that can occur in certain situations or without explanation, according to the American Psychiatric Association. You may feel like you're having a heart attack or that you're unable to breathe, or you might experience chest pain or a rapid heartbeat.

Long-term anxiety can increase your risk for other health problems, too. The hormones that trigger anxiety symptoms can help us respond to threats however, if we're always on high alert our immune system may be affected. This can make you more vulnerable to getting the common cold and other ailments.

Your doctor can diagnose anxiety disorders by conducting an examination of your body and a conversation about your symptoms. They can rule out other reasons, such as thyroid or heart problems before determining that you suffer from anxiety. A mental health professional will be able to offer you support and help manage your symptoms. They can teach you relaxation techniques and assist you to deal with any trauma or negative experiences that might have led to anxiety. They can also assist you in finding the right treatment for you. Ask your doctor to refer you to one or look up directories online for an anxiety specialist.

3. Muscle tension

Although most people are aware that a racing heart and jittery hands are signs of anxiety, many people do not realize that chronic tension in the muscles is a sign of anxiety disorders like generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) or social anxiety disorder (SAD) or panic disorder, or even specific phobias. If a person is experiencing these symptoms on a regular basis they could lose their range of motion and suffer from chronic pain in their neck, back and shoulders.

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

If a real risk is present, your adrenal glands produce hormones that increase the speed of your heartbeat, so that more blood can be delivered to your muscles that are large in your arms or legs in the event you have to flee or fight. These increased heart rates also increase the speed at which your lungs fill with oxygen. This combination of heightened stress and hyperventilation can cause you feel lightheaded or dizzy.

If you have an anxiety disorder your body isn't able to return to its normal resting state between stress responses. You feel anxious throughout the day because of your anxiety disorder, which is why you keep your sympathetic nervous system on high alert. This leads to the continuous tension in your muscles that can eventually cause long-term pain, according the American Psychological Association. It can also affect your digestive system, causing stomachaches constipation, diarrhea, or irritable bowel syndrome.

4. Dizziness

You might be shaky or unbalanced when you are stressed. This is due to the nervous system's response to anxiety. When you are worried or scared, your body tenses and then it relaxes. If you are experiencing these symptoms often and your anxiety is persistent, you may have an anxiety disorder.

It can be difficult to fall asleep or focus when you are always worried. It also wreaks havoc on your body, and could cause you to gain weight, as per the Cleveland Clinic. Anxiety also has a big influence on the menstrual cycle. According to the American Psychological Association, anxiety can cause you skip periods or have irregular cycles by altering hormones that cause the ovulation.

You are more prone to anxiety if you suffer from high blood pressure or heart problems. It is important to manage these medical conditions to lower your risk. If you suffer from these conditions, be sure to tell your therapist.

Other things that could increase your risk for anxiety are traumatic experiences such as being involved in a car crash or having surgery. A chronic medical condition, such as asthma or chronic health issues, such as diabetes, can trigger anxiety. There are treatment options for anxiety disorders. Talk therapy or psychotherapy such as cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) can aid. CBT teaches you how to transform negative thoughts and behaviors that cause anxiety into positive ones. You can also learn how to use relaxation techniques, like deep breathing or meditation. You can supplement your diet with supplements to relax your body and mind.

5. Sweating

Anxiety is a term used to describe for a range of threatening feelings that can cause your heart to beat and your stomach ache, as well as your muscles tense. Sometimes, these symptoms aren't enough to cause anxiety disorders, but if they're persistent, they can become out of control. You might also experience chills, sweating and other physical symptoms that 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 begins, it boosts the rate that your blood circulates to prepare you for fight or escape. This 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.

Dyspnea is the feeling of not breathing. This could be a sign that your anxiety has grown too severe to handle.

Your healthcare provider will assess your anxiety for a disorder by looking at your symptoms and the way they impact your daily routine. They'll start by asking you about your experiences in the past and your current concerns. They might also conduct tests to determine if you have any other health issues that may be causing your symptoms, such as imaging scanners and blood tests. In certain instances, they might recommend medications to relieve the symptoms. These include powerful antiperspirants containing aluminium or other substances that block nerves, or Botox injections in the sweat glands. Alternative treatments include psychotherapy, cognitive behavioral therapy and relaxation techniques like yoga or meditation.