Physical Symptoms of Anxiety Disorder

Although everyone experiences anxiety at times, when anxiety becomes a problem, it can cause physical symptoms, as well as emotional ones. These include a feeling types of anxiety disorders tension in the muscles, restlessness and stomach issues.

(Image: https://www.iampsychiatry.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/iampsychiatry-logo-wide.png)A psychiatrist, psychologist or therapist uses screening tools to determine if you have anxiety disorder home remedies disorders. They will also inquire about your medical history and conduct tests to rule out any other health conditions that may cause similar symptoms.

1. Headaches

Many people experience anxiety from time to time. However, this is different from being diagnosed with an anxiety disorder, that is, when the feelings are more frequent or do not go away. Anxiety can affect your daily life or cause you to avoid social situations.1

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

Another physical symptom of anxiety is lightheadedness or dizziness. This can be caused by an increased heart rate, hyperventilating or a combination of both. It could be a sign you have a serious medical condition like heart disease. Consult your physician to determine.

You may also feel weak in your arms or legs, which can be another indication of anxiety. This is because your nervous system releases adrenaline and cortisol which help you react to a threat by speeding up the heartbeat and preparing the entire body for an attack. However, over time these hormones may have a negative impact on your health and may cause you to feel weak, shaky, weak, or dizzy.

If you're having difficulty getting enough rest due to anxiety, it can make your symptoms worse. Relax before going to bed and stick to a routine. This will allow you to get more sleep. Exercise can be beneficial. Aerobic exercise can release brain chemicals that can reduce stress and boost your mood, and it can aid in falling asleep more easily. If you are still having difficulties sleeping, consult your doctor about possible treatment options.

2. Stomach problems

Anxiety can cause the body to tighten up and chronic anxiety may cause pain that persists for a long time. Your muscles might ache, your stomach can be irritable, or you may experience diarrhea. Stress hormones can also impact your digestive system, leading to constipation or irritablebowel syndrome.

People who suffer from panic disorders are at an increased chance of developing stomach problems. Panic attacks are sudden sensations of fear or dread that can occur in certain situations or for no reason, according to the American Psychiatric Association. You may feel like you're experiencing an attack on your heart or you're not breathing, and you might have chest pain and a rapid heartbeat.

Long-term anxiety may increase the risk of developing other health issues. The hormones that trigger the symptoms of anxiety assist us in responding to threats and if you're constantly in high alert all the time your immune system may be affected. This can increase your risk of contracting the common cold, and other diseases.

Your doctor can diagnose anxiety disorders through a physical examination and a conversation about your symptoms. Before diagnosing anxiety, they'll rule out other causes, such as thyroid or heart problems. 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 negative or traumatic experiences that may have caused your anxiety. They can also help you in finding the appropriate treatment for you. Ask your doctor to refer you to one or search online directories for an anxiety specialist.

3. Muscle tension

Many people are aware that a fast pulse and jittery hand are signs of anxiety. But, they don't realize that chronic muscle tension can be a sign of anxiety disorders like generalized anxiety disorder social anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and even specific fears. If a person is experiencing these symptoms regularly, they can lose their mobility and suffer from chronic pain in their back, neck and shoulders.

Tense muscles may be an indication of anxiety disorders because the body's fight or flight response triggers a range of responses that cause us to physically react when we perceive threats. Moderate anxiety levels elicit these responses as part of our instinctual survival instinct, but they can cause long-term muscle issues when they happen frequently or 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 can be pumped 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 are filled with oxygen. The combination of stress and hyperventilation can make you feel dizzy or lightheaded.

If you have an anxiety-related condition your body isn't able to return to its normal resting state between stress responses. The anxiety disorder causes you to feel anxious all the time which means that your sympathetic nervous system remains at a high level of alert. This leads to the chronic tensing of your muscles and may eventually lead to long-term pain, according the American Psychological Association. It can also affect the 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. The body gets tense when you think about something that scares or worries you, but then relaxes once the threat passes. If you experience these symptoms often and you feel your anxiety is persistent you could be suffering from an anxiety disorder.

It is difficult to fall asleep or focus when you are constantly worried. According to the Cleveland Clinic, it can also cause your body to suffer and you may gain weight. separation anxiety disorder therapies also has a major influence on the menstrual cycle. According to the American Psychological Association, anxiety can cause you to skip your menstrual cycle or have irregular cycles by altering hormones that cause menstrual ovulation.

Having high blood pressure or heart disease may make you more susceptible to anxiety, which is why it's crucial to get these medical issues under control to decrease your risk. Tell your therapist if you suffer from any of these ailments.

Traumatic experiences like a car crash or surgery can increase your risk of anxiety. A chronic medical condition, such as asthma or an ongoing health issue like diabetes can also trigger anxiety. There are solutions for anxiety disorders. Psychotherapy or talk therapy such as cognitive behavioral treatment (CBT) can be helpful. CBT teaches you how to reduce anxiety disorder to transform negative thoughts and behaviors that trigger anxiety into positive ones. You can also learn relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing and meditation. In addition, there are supplements that you can take to calm your body and mind.

5. Sweating

Anxiety is a broad term for a whole cluster of daunting feelings that can cause your heart to beat and your stomach ache, as well as your muscles tense. Sometimes, these symptoms don't constitute an anxiety disorder–but when they're chronic, they can get out of hand. You may be experiencing chills, sweating and other physical symptoms that prompt you to seek medical treatment.

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, sweating is a common physical manifestation of anxiety disorders test disorders. When your body's ”fight-or-flight” response kicks in it increases 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.

This imbalance can also cause the feeling of not being breathing properly and is known as dyspnea. It's a sign that your anxiety is getting too overwhelming to manage.

Your healthcare provider will determine if you have an anxiety disorder by evaluating your symptoms and how they impact your daily life. They'll start by asking you about your experiences in the past and current concerns. They might also conduct tests to determine if you have any other health issues that could be the cause of your symptoms, such as bloodwork and imaging scanners. In some cases they may recommend medication to help ease your symptoms, such as strong antiperspirants that contain aluminium, nerve-blocking drugs, or botulinum toxin type A (Botox) injections that target the sweat glands. Alternative treatments include psychotherapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, and relaxation techniques such as yoga or meditation.