Physical Symptoms of Anxiety Disorder

Everyone experiences anxiety from time to time When anxiety becomes a problem, it can cause physical symptoms as well as emotional ones. This can include a feeling of agitation, muscle tension, and stomach problems.

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

1. Headaches

Most people feel anxious from time to time. An anxiety disorder occurs when these feelings become persistent or more frequent. Anxiety can also interfere with your daily life or cause you to avoid social situations.1

The most frequent physical sign of anxiety is headaches. They can range from the typical tension headache2 to full-blown migraine in some people. This is due to the fact that many people tighten their muscles in response to the fight or flight response, and holding those muscles in a rigid position for long periods of time can cause pain.3

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 be a sign you have a serious medical condition like heart disease. Talk to your doctor to determine.

You might also feel weak, especially in your legs or arms. This could be a sign of anxiety. This is because your nervous system releases adrenaline and cortisol, which helps you respond to danger by accelerating the heartbeat and preparing your entire body for a potential attack. Over time, these hormones can have a negative effect on your health, causing you feel weak, shaky or dizzy.

If you have trouble getting enough sleep because of anxiety, it could cause your symptoms to get worse. Try to unwind before bed and adhere to a regular routine to get more rest. Exercise is also helpful. Exercise can help. Talk to your doctor if you are still struggling to sleep.

2. Stomach issues

Anxiety can cause the body to tighten up, and chronic anxiety can cause chronic pain. You might experience stomach discomfort, muscle pain or diarrhea. Your gastrointestinal system can also be affected by the constant release of stress hormones and this can lead to constipation, bloating and irritable bowel syndrome.

People suffering from panic disorders are at a higher risk of having stomach issues. According to the American Psychiatric Association, panic attacks are sudden feelings or a fear of imminent doom. They can occur in specific circumstances or without a reason. You may feel like you're having an attack on your heart or you can't breathe, and you may experience chest pain and a fast heartbeat.

Chronic anxiety can increase your risk for other health problems also. The fight-or-flight hormones that cause the symptoms of anxiety aid us in responding to threats and if you're constantly always on alert throughout the day your immune system may suffer. This could make you more susceptible to the common cold, as well as other ailments.

Your doctor can diagnose anxiety disorders by conducting an examination of your body and a conversation about your symptoms. Before diagnosing anxiety, they can rule out other causes, such as thyroid and heart diseases. A mental health professional can provide assistance and support to manage your symptoms. They can also teach relaxation techniques and help you deal with any trauma or negative experience that may have caused your anxiety. They can also assist you in finding the appropriate treatment for you. Ask your doctor to refer you to one or look online for directories that feature 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, many people do not realize that chronic muscle tension is a physical indication of anxiety disorders such as generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) as well as social anxiety disorder (SAD), panic disorder, or certain phobias. If a person experiences these symptoms regularly they could begin to lose their range of motion and experience chronic pain in their back, neck, and shoulders.

Tense muscles may be an indication of anxiety disorders due to the body's fight or flight response triggers a sequence of bodily reactions that trigger us to physically react when we perceive threats. A moderate level of anxiety triggers these reactions as part of our natural survival instinct however, they can lead to long-term muscle problems when they are frequent or over a long period of time.

If a risk is present your adrenal glands release hormones that boost the speed of your heartbeat so that more blood is pumped to your muscles that are large in your legs or arms in the event that you have to escape or fight. The increased heart rate can boost how quickly your lungs fill with oxygen. The combination of stress and hyperventilation can make you feel dizzy or lightheaded.

When you have an anxiety disorder, your body isn't able to return to its normal state of relaxation between stress-related responses. Your anxiety disorder causes you to be constantly anxious, so your sympathetic nervous system is in high alert. This leads to the chronic tension of your muscles, which could eventually result in long-term pain, according the American Psychological Association. It can also affect your digestive system, which can cause stomachaches constipation, diarrhea, or irritable bowel syndrome.

4. Dizziness

If you're an anxious person you may be shaky and unbalanced. This is because of the nervous system's response to anxiety. Your body is tense when you think of something that scares or worries you, and then it relaxes after the threat has passed. However, if your anxiety is chronic and you experience these symptoms frequently, you may be diagnosed with an anxiety disorder.

If you're constantly stressed on a regular basis, it can be hard to focus or get enough sleep. According to the Cleveland Clinic, it can also cause your body to suffer, and you may gain weight. Anxiety 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 trigger menstrual ovulation.

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

A traumatic experience like a car accident or surgery may also increase your anxiety risk. Anxiety can be triggered by a chronic illness such as diabetes or asthma, or a recurring medical illness. The good news is that there are solutions that can help with anxiety disorders. They include psychotherapy or talk therapy, like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) that teaches you to turn negative anxiety-inducing thoughts and behaviors into positive ones. You can also learn how to use relaxation techniques, like deep breathing or meditation. You can also take supplements to help calm your mind and body.

5. Sweating

Anxiety is a term that refers to a wide range of feelings that can cause your heart to race, your stomach to upset and your muscles to tighten. Most of the time, these feelings don't constitute an anxiety disorder, but when they're ongoing they can become out of control. There are also chills, sweating and other physical symptoms which prompt you to seek medical assistance.

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 boosts the rate of blood circulation to prepare you for the fight. This increase in heart rate can cause you to feel faint or 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 can't breathe. It's an indication that your anxiety is becoming too intense to manage.

Your doctor will test your anxiety for a disorder by looking at your symptoms and the way they impact your daily routine. You'll be asked about your past experiences as well as current concerns. They may also conduct tests to check for other health issues that may be the cause of your symptoms, including imaging scanners and blood tests. In some instances they may recommend medication for social anxiety disorder meds disorder (https://eaglebeetle97.werite.net/how-to-explain-social-anxiety-disorder-to-your-grandparents) to ease your symptoms, including 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.