Physical Symptoms of Anxiety Disorder

Everyone experiences anxiety at times, when anxiety becomes a disorder it can cause physical symptoms as well as emotional ones. These 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 have an anxiety disorder. They will also inquire about your medical history, and perform tests to rule out any other medical conditions that could cause similar symptoms.

1. Headaches

Most people feel anxious from time to time. However, this is different from having an anxiety disorder which is when the feelings are more frequent or don't disappear. Anxiety can affect your daily life and cause you to avoid social situations.

Headaches are a typical physical symptom associated with anxiety. They can range from a tension headache2 to a full-blown migraine in some individuals. This is because a lot of people tense their bodies 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

Lightheadedness or dizziness are another symptom of physical anxiety. This can be due to a rapid heart rate, hyperventilating or the combination of both. It can also be a sign of a serious medical issue like heart disease, so it is important to be examined by your doctor.

You might also feel weak, especially in your arms or legs. This can be a sign of anxiety. This is because the nervous system releases adrenaline and cortisol which aid in responding to a threat by speeding up your heartbeat and preparing your body for a possible attack. As time passes, these hormones could have a negative impact on your health, causing you feel weak, shaky or dizzy.

You may experience worse symptoms if you are stressed and are having trouble sleeping. Relax before bed and follow your routine. This will help you get more sleep. Exercise is also helpful. Brisk aerobic activity can release brain chemicals that cut stress and improve your mood, and it can aid in falling asleep more easily. Consult your physician if you are still struggling to sleep.

2. Stomach issues

The body tenses up when you are anxious, and if you have chronic anxiety, it could cause chronic pain. Your muscles could hurt or your stomach may be irritable, or you may experience diarrhea. The digestive system of your body can be affected by the constant release of stress hormones, and this can lead to constipation, bloating and irritable bowel syndrome.

You can experience stomach issues with any type of https://anotepad.com/notes/ahrg3mth , but those with panic disorders are more likely to experience these issues. Panic attacks are sudden, intense feelings of terror or impending doom that happen in specific circumstances or for no apparent reason, according to the American Psychiatric Association. You might feel as if you're experiencing a heart attack or that you're unable to breathe. You might also experience chest pains, and an intense pulse.

Long-term anxiety can increase your chances of developing other health problems. The hormones responsible for fighting or flight that cause the symptoms of anxiety assist us in responding to danger and if you're constantly in high alert all the time, your immune system can be affected. This can make you more susceptible to catching the common cold as well as other illnesses.

Your doctor can diagnose anxiety disorders by conducting a an examination of your body and asking you about your symptoms. Before diagnosing anxiety, they'll rule out other causes such as thyroid and heart diseases. A mental health professional will also be able to offer you support and help manage your symptoms. They can also teach relaxation techniques and assist you to work through any underlying trauma or negative experiences that could have triggered your anxiety. They can also help you in finding the appropriate treatment for you. Ask your doctor to refer you or search online directories for an anxiety specialist.

3. Muscle tension

Many people are aware that a racing pulse and a jittery hand are indicators of anxiety. However, they do not know that chronic muscle tension could be a sign of anxiety disorders such as generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and certain phobias. If a person is experiencing these symptoms frequently, they can lose their range of motion and feel constant discomfort in their neck, back and shoulders.

Tense muscles may be an indication of anxiety disorders due to the body's fight or flight response triggers a series of reactions which trigger us to physically react when we perceive threats. These reactions are a normal part of our survival instincts but they can cause long-term problems if they are repeated or over a long time.

When there is a real danger your adrenal glands pump out hormones that increase the rate at which your heart beats to ensure it can pump more blood to the large muscles in your legs and arms in case you have to flee or fight danger. These increased heart rates also boost how quickly 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 responses. You feel stressed all the time due to your anxiety disorder, so you keep your sympathetic nervous system on high alert. According to the American Psychological Association, this could lead to chronic muscle tension and long-term pain. It can also affect the digestive system, causing stomachaches constipation, diarrhea, or irritable bowel syndrome.

4. Dizziness

If you're an anxious person, you may often feel dizzy and off balance. This is because of the nervous system's response to anxiety. When you are anxious or anxious, your body tenses and then relaxes. However, if your anxiety is persistent and you experience these symptoms regularly, you may be diagnosed with an anxiety disorder.

It can be difficult to sleep or concentrate when you're constantly stressed. It also affects your body, and could cause you to gain weight, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Anxiety also has a big impact on your menstrual cycle. According to the American Psychological Association, anxiety can cause you skip periods or have irregular cycles by altering hormones that trigger menstrual ovulation.

You can be more susceptible to anxiety if you suffer from high blood pressure or heart problems. https://due-christiansen.federatedjournals.com/10-simple-ways-to-figure-the-anxiety-disorder-youre-looking-for is important to manage these medical conditions to reduce your risk. Inform your therapist if you have any of these conditions.

A traumatic experience like a car crash or surgery may also increase your risk of anxiety. A chronic medical condition such as asthma or a chronic health issue like diabetes can create anxiety. The good news is that there are solutions which can alleviate anxiety issues. Talk therapy or psychotherapy like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can help. 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 meditation or deep breathing. Additionally there are supplements you can take to calm your mind and body.

5. Sweating

Anxiety is a broad term for a range of threatening feelings that can make your heart race and your stomach turn a bit upset, and your muscles tense. Sometimes, these symptoms aren't enough to constitute anxiety disorder--but when they're chronic they can get out of hand. You may also experience chills, sweating and other physical symptoms that prompt you to seek medical treatment.

The habit of sweating is a common symptom of anxiety disorders, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. When your body's "fight-or-flight" response kicks in, it boosts the speed of blood circulation to prepare you for battle. This increased heart rate can cause you to 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 refers to a feeling of not breathing. This is a sign that your anxiety has become too intense to manage.

Your doctor will evaluate you for an anxiety disorder in light of your symptoms and how they affect your daily routine. You'll be asked about your past experiences as well as your current concerns. They might also conduct tests to check for other health problems that could be causing your symptoms, including bloodwork and imaging scanners. In certain instances, they might prescribe medications to alleviate symptoms. They can recommend strong antiperspirants that contain aluminium and other drugs that block nerves and Botox injections to treat sweat glands. Alternative treatments include psychotherapy, cognitive behavior therapy and relaxation techniques such as yoga or meditation.