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Physical Symptoms of Anxiety Disorder

Everyone experiences anxiety at times however, when anxiety develops into a condition it can cause physical and emotional symptoms. This can include a feeling of anxiety, muscle tension, stomach issues and more.

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

1. Headaches

Many people experience anxiety from time to some point. But that's different from being diagnosed with an anxiety disorder, that is, when the feelings are more frequent or don't disappear. Anxiety can also impact your daily life and cause you to avoid social situations.

A common physical symptom of anxiety is headaches. They can range from tension headache2 up to a full-blown, migraine in some people. This is because a lot of people tense their bodies as part of the fight-or-flight response and securing those muscles in a rigid position for long periods of time can cause pain.3

Lightheadedness or dizziness are another symptom of physical anxiety. This could be due to a fast heart rate, hyperventilating, or an amalgamation of both. It can also be an indication of a serious medical issue like heart disease, which is why it's crucial to have your heart examined by your physician.

You might also feel weak, particularly in your arms or legs. This can be a sign of stress. This is because the nervous system releases adrenaline and cortisol which aid in responding to a threat by increasing your heart rate and prepare your body for a possible attack. Over time these hormones could have a negative impact on your health, causing you feel weak, shaky or dizzy.

You may experience worse symptoms if your stressed and having difficulty sleeping. Relax before going to bed and adhere to a routine. This will help you get more rest. Exercise can also be beneficial. Brisk aerobic activity can release brain chemicals that reduce stress and boost your mood. It can aid in falling asleep more easily. If you still have difficulties sleeping, consult your doctor about treatment options.

2. Stomach issues

Anxiety can cause your body to tighten up and chronic anxiety may lead to persistent pain. You might experience stomach pain, muscle aches or diarrhea. Stress hormones can affect your gastrointestinal system, leading to constipation or irritablebowel syndrome.

People with panic disorders have greater risk of stomach problems. 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. It could feel like you're experiencing a heart attack or that you're unable to breathe. You might also experience chest pains and a rapid pulse.

Chronic anxiety can increase the risk of other health problems. The hormones that trigger the symptoms of anxiety aid us in responding to a threat however, if you're always on alert all the time your immune system may be affected. This could make you more susceptible to common colds, and other illnesses.

Your doctor can diagnose anxiety disorders through physical examination and a conversation about your symptoms. They can rule out other reasons, such as heart disease or thyroid problems, before diagnosing you with anxiety. A mental health professional can also provide assistance and support to manage your symptoms. They can teach you relaxation techniques and assist you to overcome any underlying trauma or negative experience that could have triggered anxiety. They can also assist you in finding the right treatment for you. Ask your doctor to refer you, or look up directories online for an anxiety specialist.

3. Muscle tension

Many people are aware that a racing pulse and jittery hand are signs of anxiety. But, they don't know that chronic muscle tension can be a sign of anxiety disorders, such as generalized anxiety disorder or social anxiety disorder panic disorder, and specific fears. If someone is suffering from these symptoms on a regular basis they could lose their range of motion and experience persistent discomfort in their back, neck and shoulders.

Tense muscles are a common symptom of anxiety disorder because the body's fight-or flight response triggers a chain of bodily reactions that result in us physically reacting to perceived threats. Moderate anxiety levels elicit these reactions as part of our instinctual survival instinct, but they can cause long-term problems with muscles when they happen frequently or over a long period of time.

When there is a real danger, your adrenal glands churn out hormones that accelerate the speed at which your heart beats so that it can pump more blood to the large muscles in your legs and arms in case you need to flee or fight the threat. These increased heart rates also increase the rate of your lungs filling up with oxygen. The combination of increased stress and hyperventilation can cause you feel lightheaded or dizzy.





If you suffer from an anxiety disorder, your body isn't able to its normal state of relaxation between stress-related responses. Your anxiety disorder causes you to feel constantly anxious which means that your sympathetic nervous system is in high alert. This leads to the continuous tension in your muscles that can eventually cause long-term pain, according to the American Psychological Association. It can also affect your digestive system causing stomachaches, constipation, diarrhea or irritable-bowel syndrome.

4. Dizziness

You may be shaky or unbalanced in the event of anxiety. The reason for this is to do with the nervous system response to anxiety. If you are stressed or scared your body begins to tense and then relaxes. If you are experiencing these symptoms often and your anxiety is persistent, you may have an anxiety disorder.

It is difficult to fall asleep or focus when you are always worried. It also wreaks havoc on your body and may cause you to gain weight, as per the Cleveland Clinic. Anxiety also has a major impact on your menstrual cycle. According to the American Psychological Association, anxiety can cause you to skip your menstrual cycle or have irregular cycles due to affecting hormones that induce ovulation.

You are more prone to anxiety if you suffer from high blood pressure or heart problems. It is essential to manage these medical conditions to decrease your risk. Talk to your therapist if suffer from any of these ailments.

Traumatic experiences like a car crash or surgery can increase the risk of anxiety. Anxiety can be triggered by chronic illnesses, like asthma or diabetes or a recurring medical health condition. There are treatments for anxiety disorders. Talk therapy or psychotherapy such as cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) can be helpful. CBT teaches you how to transform negative thoughts and behaviors that cause anxiety to positive ones. You can also learn how to use relaxation techniques such as meditation or deep breathing. You can also take supplements to calm your body and mind.

5. Sweating

Anxiety is an umbrella term for a whole cluster of frightening feelings that could make your heart beat faster, your stomach upset and your muscles tense. Oftentimes, these feelings aren't enough to cause anxiety disorder--but when they're chronic and get out of hand. There are also sweating, chills and other physical symptoms which make you seek medical attention.

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, sweating is a common physical sign of anxiety disorders. When your body's "fight-or-flight" response kicks in it boosts the rate of blood circulation to prepare you for combat. The 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.

This imbalance may also lead to an uneasy feeling that you are not breathing properly, which is called dyspnea. This is a sign your anxiety has become too intense to manage.

Your doctor will determine if you have anxiety disorders by analyzing your symptoms and how they impact your daily life. They'll start by asking you about your previous experiences and your current concerns. They may also conduct tests to identify other health issues that could be causing them, like bloodwork and imaging scans. In some cases they may recommend medications to relieve symptoms. These include powerful antiperspirants with aluminium in them, drugs that block nerves and Botox injections to treat sweat glands. Alternative treatments include psychotherapy, cognitive therapy and relaxation techniques like yoga or meditation.