20 Insightful Quotes On Anxiety Disorder Physical Symptoms
Physical Symptoms of Anxiety Disorder Every person experiences anxiety at some point however, when anxiety develops into a problem, it can cause physical and emotional symptoms. They can be characterized by a feeling of agitation, muscle tension and stomach issues. 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 other health conditions that can cause similar symptoms. 1. Headaches Many people have anxiety from time to times. An anxiety disorder occurs when these feelings are persistent or more frequent. Anxiety can also affect your daily life or cause you to avoid social situations.1 The most frequent physical sign of anxiety are headaches. They can range from tension headache2 to a full-blown, migraine for some people. This is due to the fact that many people tense their bodies as part of their 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. It can be caused by rapid heart rate, hyperventilating or the combination of both. It could also be an indication of a major medical condition like heart disease, so it's important to get examined by your physician. You may also feel weak, especially in your legs or arms. This could be a sign of stress. This is because the nervous system releases adrenaline and cortisol, which help you respond to threats by increasing your heart rate and prepare your body for a possible attack. However, over time, those hormones can have a negative effect on your health and could cause you to feel shakey, weak, or dizzy. You might experience more severe symptoms if your stressed and are having trouble sleeping. Try to relax before bed and follow an established routine to rest better. Exercise can also be beneficial. Exercise can help. Talk to your doctor If you're still struggling to sleep. 2. Stomach problems The body tightens up when you are anxious, and if you have chronic anxiety, it can cause constant discomfort. Your muscles might ache or your stomach may feel off or you can get diarrhea. Stress hormones can also impact your gastrointestinal system, leading to constipation or irritablebowel syndrome. People who suffer from panic disorders are at a higher chance of developing stomach problems. Panic attacks are sudden sensations of fear or imminent doom that happen in specific circumstances or for no reason, according to the American Psychiatric Association. You may feel like you're experiencing an attack on your heart or you're not breathing, and you might experience chest pain and a rapid heartbeat. Long-term anxiety may increase your risk of other health problems. The hormones that cause anxiety symptoms help us to react to dangers however, if we're always alert our immune system may be affected. This can make you more prone to the common cold, as well as other ailments. Your doctor can diagnose anxiety disorders by conducting physical examination and a discussion regarding your symptoms. They can rule out other causes, like thyroid or heart problems prior to determining you have anxiety. A mental health professional will be able to provide support and help manage your symptoms. They can teach you relaxation techniques and assist you to work through any underlying trauma or negative experience that could have triggered anxiety. They can also assist you in locating the best treatment for you. Ask your doctor for a referral or browse online therapist directories to locate a specialist in anxiety. 3. Muscle tension Many people are aware that a racing pulse and a hand that is jittery are indications of anxiety. However, they don't realize that chronic muscle tension can be a sign of anxiety disorders such as generalized anxiety disorder or social anxiety disorder panic disorder, and specific phobias. If someone is experiencing 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 typical manifestation of anxiety disorder since the body's fight-or-flight response triggers a cascade of responses that result in us physically reacting to perceived threats. A moderate level of anxiety triggers these responses as part our instinctual survival instinct however, they can cause long-term problems with muscles when they occur regularly or over a long period of time. When there is a real danger your adrenal glands pump out hormones that increase 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 escape or fight the threat. The increased heart rate can increase the speed at which your lungs are filled with oxygen. The combination of increased stress and hyperventilation can cause 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. You are constantly anxious throughout the day due to your anxiety disorder, so you keep your sympathetic nervous system on alert. According to the American Psychological Association, this could lead to chronic muscle tensing and long-term pain. It can also affect your digestive system, which may cause stomach pains and constipation, diarrhea or irritable bowel syndrome. 4. Dizziness You might feel dizzy or out of balance if you are anxious. The reason for this has to relate to the nervous system's response to anxiety. When you are worried or scared your body tightens and then it relaxes. If, however, your anxiety is recurring and you are experiencing these symptoms often, you may be diagnosed with an anxiety disorder. When you're worried on a regular basis, it can be hard to concentrate or get enough sleep. 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 cycle. That's because it can cause you to miss or experience irregular menstrual cycles because it affects the release of hormones that induce ovulation, according to the American Psychological Association. Having high blood pressure or heart disease could make you more susceptible to anxiety, so it's important to get these medical problems under control to reduce your risk. If you're suffering from any of these conditions, make sure to inform your therapist. Experiences that are traumatizing, such as a car crash or surgery can increase your risk of anxiety. Anxiety can be caused by a chronic illness such as diabetes or asthma, or a recurring medical condition. There are treatment options for anxiety disorders. Talk therapy or psychotherapy such as cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) can aid. CBT teaches you how to transform negative thoughts and behaviors that trigger anxiety to positive ones. You can also learn relaxation techniques like meditation and deep breathing. You can supplement your diet with supplements to relax your mind and body. 5. Sweating Anxiety is a term that covers an array of emotions that can cause your heart to race and your stomach to ache and your muscles to get tighter. These symptoms alone aren't enough to cause anxiety disorders, but when they become chronic, they can become a problem. You might be experiencing chills, sweating and other physical symptoms that cause you to seek medical attention. Sweating is a common physical manifestation of anxiety disorders according to the National Institute of Mental Health. When your body's “fight-or-flight” response kicks in it boosts the speed of blood circulation to prepare you for the fight. The increased heart rate can cause you to feel dizzy and 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 refers to a feeling of not breathing. It's a sign that your anxiety is getting too severe to control. Your healthcare provider will determine if you have an anxiety disorder by looking at your symptoms and how they impact your daily routine. You'll be asked about your previous experiences as well as current concerns. They may also conduct tests to determine if you have any other health issues that may be causing your symptoms, including bloodwork and imaging scanners. In some cases they may recommend medication to help 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 behavior therapy and relaxation techniques such as meditation or yoga.