Physical Symptoms of Anxiety Disorder

Everyone feels anxious at times, but when anxiety becomes a problem, it can cause physical and emotional symptoms. This can include a feeling of restlessness, muscle tension and stomach problems.

A psychiatrist, psychologist, or therapist will use screening tools to determine if you suffer from anxiety disorder. They will also inquire about your medical history and run tests to rule out any other medical conditions that could cause similar symptoms.

1. Headaches

Many people feel anxious from time to time. However, this is different from having an anxiety disorder, which is when the symptoms are more frequent or do not disappear. Anxiety can also affect your daily life or cause you to avoid social situations.1

Headaches are a typical physical symptom that is associated with anxiety. They can range from a tension headache2 up to a full-blown migraine in some individuals. A lot of people tighten their muscles as part of their fight-or-flight reaction, and holding them rigidly for a long time could cause pain.

Another physical symptom of anxiety is lightheadedness or dizziness. This could be due to a fast heart rate, hyperventilating, or a combination of both. It could also be an indication of a serious medical issue like heart disease, and it's crucial to have your heart examined by your physician.

You may also feel weak, particularly in your legs or arms. This could be a sign of stress. This is because your nervous system releases adrenaline depression and anxiety disorder cortisol which help you react to danger by speeding up the heartbeat and preparing the entire body for an attack. As time passes, these hormones can have a negative impact on your health, making you feel weak, shaky or dizzy.

If you have trouble getting enough rest due to anxiety, it can cause your symptoms to get worse. Try to unwind before bed and adhere to a regular routine so that you can sleep better. Exercise can also be helpful. Brisk aerobic activity can release brain chemicals that can reduce stress and improve your mood, and it can help you fall asleep easier. Consult your physician in case you're having trouble sleeping.

2. Stomach problems

The body is tense in response to anxiety, and if you have chronic anxiety it can cause constant pain. Your muscles might ache, your stomach can feel a bit sluggish, or you could get diarrhea. The digestive system of your body can be affected by the constant release of stress hormones and this could lead to constipation, bloating, or IBS.

People suffering from panic disorders are at a higher chance of developing stomach problems. Panic attacks are sudden feelings of fear or dread that occur in specific situations or for no apparent reason according to the American Psychiatric Association. You might feel as if you're having an attack of the heart or that you're unable to breathe, or you might have chest pain and a fast heartbeat.

Chronic anxiety can increase your risk of other health problems also. The hormones that trigger anxiety symptoms can help us respond to threats and if we're on high alert, our immune system can be affected. This can make you more prone to catching the common cold as well as other diseases.

Your doctor can diagnose anxiety disorders by conducting a an examination of your body and asking you about your symptoms. Before diagnosing anxiety, they will rule out other causes like thyroid and heart diseases. A mental health professional will be able to offer you assistance and assist in managing your symptoms. They can help you learn relaxation techniques and work through any traumas or negative experiences which could have triggered anxiety. They can also help you identify a treatment plan that is appropriate for you. Ask your doctor for a referral, or check online therapist directories to locate a specialist in anxiety.

3. Muscle tension

While the majority of people know that a heart racing and jittery hands are signs of anxiety, a lot of people don't know that muscle tension is a physical indication of anxiety disorders such as generalized anxiety disorder test [blog post from Cheaperseeker] anxiety disorder (GAD) as well as social anxiety disorder (SAD) or panic disorder, or specific fears. When a person suffers from these symptoms frequently, they may begin to lose their range of motion and suffer from persistent pain in the back, neck, and shoulders.

Tense muscles are a symptom of anxiety disorders as the body's fight or flight response triggers a sequence of reactions which result in us physically reacting when we feel threatened. Moderate anxiety levels elicit these responses as part our instinctual survival instinct however, they can lead to long-term muscle problems when they are frequent or over a long period of time.

If a serious threat is present, your adrenal glands churn out hormones that speed up the rate at which your heart beats, so that it can pump more blood to the large muscles in your legs and arms in the event that you need to escape or fight the danger. Those increased heart rates also boost how quickly your lungs are filled with oxygen. The combination of increased tension and hyperventilation could make you feel dizzy or lightheaded.

If you suffer from an anxiety disorder, however, your body can't return to its normal state of rest between stress responses. You are constantly stressed all the time due to the anxiety disorder, and you keep your sympathetic nervous system on high alert. According to the American Psychological Association, this can cause chronic muscle tension and lasting pain. It can also affect your digestive system, which can cause stomach pain, constipation, diarrhea, or irritable bowel syndrome.

4. Dizziness

If you're an anxious person you might feel dizzy and out of balance. The reason is to relate to the nervous system's response to anxiety. When you are anxious or scared, your body tenses and then it relaxes. If you experience these symptoms often and you feel your anxiety is anxiety a disorder chronic it could be that you suffer from an anxiety disorder.

It can be difficult to sleep or focus when you are always worried. It also affects your body and may cause you to gain weight, as per 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 experience irregular menstrual cycles by altering hormones that trigger ovulation.

Having high blood pressure or heart disease could make you more prone to anxiety, and it's essential to bring these medical conditions under control to lower your risk. If you have these conditions, be sure to inform your therapist.

Other things that could increase your risk for anxiety are traumatic experiences, such as being in a car accident or having surgery. Anxiety can be caused by a chronic illness like asthma or diabetes, or a recurring medical health condition. The good news is that there are solutions that can help with anxiety disorders. They include psychotherapy or talk therapy, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) that teaches you to turn negative anxiety-inducing thoughts and actions into positive ones. You can also learn relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing and meditation. You can also take supplements to calm your mind and body.

5. Sweating

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

According to the National Institute of Mental Health sweating is a typical physical sign of anxiety disorders. When your body's "fight-or-flight" response kicks in, it increases the rate of blood circulation to prepare you for battle. This increased heart rate can cause you to feel dizzy or out of breath. 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 that you can't breathe. It's a sign that your anxiety is becoming too overwhelming to manage.

Your doctor will determine if there is anxiety disorders by analyzing your symptoms and how they impact 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 issues that may be contributing to your symptoms, like imaging scanners and blood tests. In certain instances, they might suggest medications to ease symptoms. These include powerful antiperspirants containing aluminium or other substances that block nerves and Botox injections in the sweat glands. Alternative treatments include cognitive behavioral best therapy for anxiety disorder, psychotherapy, and relaxation techniques such as meditation or yoga.