Hollandwarming0876

Physical Symptoms of Anxiety Disorder

Everyone feels anxious at times, but when anxiety becomes an illness, it can trigger physical and emotional symptoms. These include a sense of anxiety, muscle tension, stomach issues and more.

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

1. Headaches

The majority of people experience anxiety from time to time. An anxiety disorder is when these symptoms are constant or frequent. Anxiety can also interfere with your daily routine or cause you to avoid social situations.1

A common physical symptom of anxiety is headaches. They can range from the average tension headache2 to a complete migraine in a few people. Many people tense up their muscles in a fight-or-flight response, and retaining them in a rigid way for a prolonged duration could cause pain.

Dizziness or lightheadedness is another physical symptom of anxiety. It can be caused by a fast heart rate, hyperventilating, or a combination of both. It could be a sign you have an underlying medical condition such as heart disease. Talk to your doctor to determine.

You might be feeling 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 danger by speeding up your heartbeat and preparing your entire body for a potential attack. However, over time these hormones may have a negative impact on your health and could cause you to feel shakey or weak. You may also feel dizzy, weak, or weak.

If you have trouble getting enough sleep due to anxiety, it could cause your symptoms to get worse. Try to relax before bed and follow a regular routine so that you can get more rest. Exercise can also be beneficial. Aerobic exercise can release brain chemicals that reduce stress and boost your mood. It can assist you in falling asleep faster. If you're still having difficulties sleeping, consult your doctor about treatment options.

2. Stomach issues

Anxiety can cause the body to tighten up and long-term anxiety can cause pain that persists for a long time. Your muscles might ache or your stomach may feel off or you can experience diarrhea. Stress hormones can affect the digestive system, causing constipation or irritable bowel syndrome.

There are stomach issues that can be experienced in any anxiety disorder, but those who suffer from panic disorders are more likely to have stomach issues. Panic attacks are sudden feelings of terror or impending doom that happen in specific circumstances or without explanation according to the American Psychiatric Association. You might feel as if you're experiencing an attack on your heart or you can't breathe, and you might have chest pain or a rapid heartbeat.

Long-term anxiety can increase your risk for other health issues also. The hormones that trigger the symptoms of anxiety aid us in responding to danger however, if you're on high alert all the time your immune system could suffer. This could make you more susceptible to the common cold, as well as other diseases.

Your doctor can diagnose anxiety disorders by conducting physical examination and a discussion about your symptoms. They can rule out any other causes, like thyroid or heart problems, before diagnosing you with anxiety. A mental health professional can also provide support and assistance to manage your symptoms. They can help you learn relaxation techniques and help you work through any negative or traumatic experiences that might have contributed to your anxiety. They can also aid you in finding the appropriate treatment for you. Ask your doctor to refer you to one or look up directories online for an anxiety specialist.

3. Muscle tension

While the majority of people know that a racing heart and hands that feel jittery are signs of anxiety, a lot of people don't realize that muscle tension is a physical indication of anxiety disorders such as generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) or social anxiety disorder (SAD) panic disorder, or specific phobias. If a person is experiencing these symptoms on a regular basis they could begin to lose their range of motion and suffer from persistent pain in the back, neck, and shoulders.

Tense muscles can be an indication of anxiety disorders due to the body's fight or flight response triggers a range of responses that result in us physically reacting when we sense danger. Moderate anxiety levels elicit these reactions as part of our survival instincts however, they can also lead to long-term muscle problems when they occur regularly or over a prolonged period of time.

When a real threat occurs your adrenal glands pump 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 flee or fight the threat. These increased heart rates also increase the speed that your lungs fill with oxygen. This combination of increased stress and hyperventilation may make you feel dizzy or lightheaded.





When you have an anxiety disorder, however your body isn't able to return to its normal state of rest between stress-related responses. You are constantly anxious throughout the day because of your anxiety disorder, which is why you keep your sympathetic nervous system in high alert. According to the American Psychological Association, this could lead to chronic muscle tension and long-term pain. It can also affect your digestive system, which may cause stomach pain and constipation, diarrhea or irritable bowel syndrome.

4. Dizziness

You may be shaky or unbalanced if you are anxious. The reason for this has to relate to the nervous system's response to anxiety. If you are stressed or worried, your body tenses 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 sleep or concentrate when you're constantly worried. According to the Cleveland Clinic, it can also cause your body to suffer and you could gain weight. Anxiety can also have a significant impact on your menstrual cycles. That's because it can cause you to skip or have irregular menstrual flow by affecting 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, and it's essential to get these medical issues under control to reduce your risk. If you suffer from these conditions, be sure to inform your therapist.

Other things that could increase the risk of anxiety are traumatizing experiences such as being involved in a car accident or having surgery. Anxiety can be triggered by chronic illnesses, like asthma or diabetes or a recurring medical health condition. The good news is that there are treatments that can ease anxiety disorders. They include psychotherapy, or talk therapy, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) which teaches you to turn negative thoughts and behaviors that trigger anxiety into positive ones. You can also learn relaxation techniques like meditation and deep breathing. You can also take supplements to help calm your body and mind.

5. Sweating

Anxiety is a term that refers to a wide range of feelings that can cause your heart to beat, your stomach to upset and your muscles to get tighter. These feelings alone are not enough to cause anxiety disorders however, when they become chronic, it could become a problem. You might 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 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 combat. This increase in 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 is a feeling of not breathing. It's an indication that your anxiety has become too severe to control.

Your doctor will determine if there is anxiety disorders by analyzing your symptoms and how they affect your daily routine. You'll be asked about your previous experiences as well as current concerns. They may also perform tests to check for other health issues that may be the cause of your symptoms, such as bloodwork and imaging scanners. In some instances, they may recommend medications to relieve your symptoms. These include powerful antiperspirants containing aluminium, drugs that block nerves, or Botox injections in the sweat glands. Alternative treatments include cognitive behavioral therapy, psychotherapy and relaxation techniques such as yoga or meditation.