20 Inspiring Quotes About Anxiety Disorder Physical Symptoms
Physical Symptoms of Anxiety Disorder
Everyone feels anxious at times however when anxiety turns into a problem, it can cause physical as well as emotional symptoms. These include a sense of anxiety, muscle tension, stomach issues and more.
A psychologist, psychiatrist or therapist will employ screening tools to determine whether you have an anxiety disorder. They will also inquire about your medical history and will run tests to rule out other health conditions that may cause similar symptoms.
1. Headaches
The majority of people experience anxiety at times. However, this is different from being diagnosed with an anxiety disorder, which is when the feelings are more frequent or do not go away. Anxiety can also affect your daily routine and make it difficult to participate in social situations.
Headaches are a common physical symptom that is associated with anxiety. They can range from tension headache2 all the way to a full-blown, migraine in some people. Many people tense up their muscles in a fight-or-flight response, and retaining them in a rigid way for a prolonged time can cause pain.
Another symptom of anxiety is lightheadedness or dizziness. This could be due to rapid heart rate, hyperventilating or the combination of both. It can also be a sign of a serious medical issue like heart disease, and it's crucial to have your heart examined by your doctor.
You might also feel weak in the legs or arms this could be another indication of anxiety. This is because your nervous system releases cortisol and adrenaline which aids in responding to a threat by speeding up the heartbeat and preparing your body for a potential attack. In time the hormones could have a negative impact on your health, making you feel weak, shaky or dizzy.
You might experience more severe symptoms if you're stressed and are having trouble sleeping. Relax before bed and follow a routine. This will help you get more sleep. Exercise can be beneficial. Brisk aerobic activity can release brain chemicals that can reduce stress and boost your mood, and it can aid in falling asleep more easily. If you still have difficulty sleeping, speak to your doctor about options for treatment.
2. Stomach issues
Anxiety can cause your body to tense up, and chronic anxiety can cause pain that persists for a long time. Your muscles may ache or your stomach may feel off or you can develop diarrhea. Stress hormones can also impact the digestive system, causing constipation or irritablebowel syndrome.
People suffering from panic disorders are at a higher risk of having stomach issues. Panic attacks are sudden feelings of fear or imminent doom that can occur in certain situations or for no apparent reason, according to the American Psychiatric Association. You may feel as if you're having a heart attack or that you're unable to breathe. You may also experience chest pains and a rapid pulse.
Chronic anxiety can increase your risk for other health issues as well. The hormones responsible for fighting or flight that cause the symptoms of anxiety aid us in responding to threats however, if you're in high alert all the time your immune system may be affected. This could make you more susceptible to catching the common cold and other illnesses.
Your doctor can diagnose anxiety disorders through a an examination and talking to you about your symptoms. Before diagnosing anxiety, they can rule out other causes, such as heart disease and thyroid problems. A mental health professional will be able to provide assistance and assist in managing your symptoms. They can help you learn techniques for relaxation and work through any traumas or negative experiences which might have contributed to anxiety. They can also assist you in finding the right 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 racing pulse and jittery hand are signs of anxiety. However, they don't realize that chronic muscle tension could be a sign of anxiety disorders such as generalized anxiety disorder social anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and specific fears. If a person is experiencing these symptoms regularly, they can lose their range of motion and suffer from chronic pain in their neck, back and shoulders.
Tense muscles can be a sign of anxiety disorders as the body's fight or flight response triggers a series of responses that trigger us to physically react when we feel threatened. In moderate levels of anxiety, we trigger these reactions as part of our instinctual survival instinct, but they can lead to long-term muscle problems when they occur regularly or over a prolonged period of time.
When there is a real danger the adrenal glands crank out hormones that accelerate the speed at which your heart beats so that it can pump more blood to the massive muscles in your legs and arms in case you have to flee or fight the danger. The increased heart rate can increase the rate that your lungs fill up with oxygen. This combination of increased stress and hyperventilation may cause you to feel dizzy or lightheaded.
If you have an anxiety-related condition, your body is unable to return to its normal resting state between stress responses. You are constantly stressed all the time because of the anxiety disorder, and you keep your sympathetic nervous system in high alert. According to the American Psychological Association, this can cause chronic muscle tension and long-term pain. It can also affect the digestive system, causing stomachaches, diarrhea, constipation or irritable-bowel syndrome.
4. Dizziness
If you're a stressed-out person you might feel dizzy and out of balance. The reason for this is to be due to the nervous system's response to anxiety. When you are anxious or scared your body tightens and then relaxes. If you are experiencing these symptoms often and you feel your anxiety is persistent, you may have an anxiety disorder.
It can be difficult to fall asleep or concentrate when you are constantly stressed. It also affects your body and may cause you to gain weight, per the Cleveland Clinic. Anxiety also has a big effect on your menstrual cycle. That's because it can cause you to miss or have irregular menstrual flow because it affects the release of ovulation-inducing hormones, according to the American Psychological Association.
High blood pressure or heart disease may make you more prone to anxiety, which is why it's crucial to get these medical issues under control to lower your risk. Talk to your therapist if have any of these conditions.
A traumatic experience such as a car crash or surgery can also increase your risk of anxiety. A chronic medical condition such as asthma or chronic health issues like diabetes can create anxiety. The good news is that there are treatments which can alleviate anxiety issues. They include psychotherapy, also known as talk therapy, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which helps you transform negative anxiety-inducing thoughts and actions into positive ones. You can also learn relaxation techniques like meditation and deep breathing. Additionally, there are supplements available to relax your body and mind.
5. Sweating
Anxiety is an umbrella term for a range of frightening feelings that could make your heart race and your stomach turn a bit upset, and your muscles tight. Sometimes, these symptoms aren't enough to constitute anxiety disorders, but if they're persistent and get out of hand. You may be experiencing 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 increases the rate of blood circulation to prepare you for battle. This boost in 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 is a feeling that you are unable to breathe. This is a sign your anxiety has become too severe to handle.
Your doctor will test you for an anxiety disorder in light of your symptoms and the way they impact your daily life. They'll begin by asking about your previous experiences and current concerns. They may also conduct tests to determine if you have any other health issues that could be contributing to your symptoms, such as bloodwork and imaging scanners. In some instances, they might recommend medications to help ease your symptoms, such as strong antiperspirants made of aluminium, nerve blocker medications or botulinum toxins type A (Botox) injections in the sweat glands. Alternative treatments include cognitive behavior therapy, psychotherapy and techniques for relaxation such as yoga or meditation.