Physical Symptoms of Anxiety Disorder

While everyone feels anxious at times, when anxiety becomes a disorder it can cause physical symptoms, as well as emotional ones. This can include a feeling of restlessness, muscle tension and stomach problems.

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

1. Headaches

Many people experience anxiety from time to time. But it's not the same as being diagnosed with an anxiety disorder, which is when the symptoms are more frequent or don't go away. 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 all the way to a full-blown, migraine for some people. This is due to the fact that many people tighten their muscles as part of their fight-or-flight response and securing those muscles for prolonged periods of time can cause pain.3

Lightheadedness or dizziness are another physical sign of anxiety. It can be caused by rapid heart rate, hyperventilating, or a combination of both. It could also be an indication of a major medical condition like heart disease, which is why it's crucial to have your heart checked out by your physician.

You might also feel weak in the legs or arms, which can be another indication of anxiety. This is because the nervous system releases cortisol and adrenaline which allow you to respond to a threat by increasing your heart rate and preparing your body for a possible attack. In time the hormones can have a negative effect on your health, making you feel weak, shaky or dizzy.

If you are having trouble getting enough rest due to anxiety, it could cause your symptoms to get worse. Relax before going to bed and adhere to a routine. This will help you get more rest. Exercise is also helpful. Aerobic exercise can release brain chemicals that can reduce stress and improve your mood, and it can assist you in falling asleep faster. Talk to your doctor if you are still having trouble sleeping.

2. Stomach problems

Anxiety can cause the body to become tense and chronic anxiety may cause pain that persists for a long time. Your muscles might ache or your stomach may feel off or you can develop diarrhea. Stress hormones can also impact the digestive system, causing constipation or irritable bowel syndrome.

There are stomach issues that can be experienced when you suffer from any anxiety disorder, but people with panic disorders are more likely to experience them. Panic attacks are sudden feelings of fear or dread that happen in specific circumstances or for no reason according to the American Psychiatric Association. It could feel like you're having a heart attack or that you cannot breathe. You might also experience chest pains or a rapid pulse.

Long-term anxiety may increase the risk of developing other health issues. The hormones that cause anxiety symptoms help us to respond to a danger and if we're alert our immune system could be affected. This could make you more prone to the common cold, as well as other illnesses.

Your doctor can diagnose anxiety disorders through a an examination of your body and asking you about your symptoms. Before diagnosing anxiety, they can rule out other causes like thyroid or heart problems. A mental health professional can offer support and help you manage your symptoms. They can help you learn relaxation techniques and help you work through any underlying trauma or negative experiences that may have caused your anxiety. They can also help you determine the best treatment option that is right for you. Ask your doctor for a referral or look up online directories of therapists to find a therapist who is an expert in anxiety.

3. Muscle tension

Although most people are aware that a heart racing and jittery hands are signs of anxiety, a lot of people don't realize that tension in the muscles is a indicator of anxiety disorders such as generalized anxiety disorder therapies anxiety disorder (GAD), social anxiety disorder (SAD), panic disorder, or certain phobias. If someone is experiencing these symptoms frequently, they can lose their mobility and experience persistent pain in their neck, back and shoulders.

Tense muscles are a sign of Anxiety disorder Physical Symptoms disorders due to the body's fight or flight response triggers a series of responses that cause us to physically react when we feel threatened. These reactions are a natural part of our survival instincts, but they can cause long-term problems if they are repeated or occur over a long period of time.

When a real threat occurs, 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 big muscles in your legs and arms in the event that you need to flee or fight the danger. These increased heart rates also boost how quickly your lungs fill with oxygen. The combination of increased stress and hyperventilation can make you feel dizzy or lightheaded.

If you suffer from an generalised anxiety disorder disorder your body is unable to return to its normal resting state between stress-related responses. The anxiety disorder makes you feel anxious all the time, so your sympathetic nervous system is at a high level of alert. This leads to the continuous tensing of your muscles and could eventually result in chronic pain, according to the American Psychological Association. It can also affect the digestive system, causing stomachaches, diarrhea, constipation or irritable-bowel syndrome.

4. Dizziness

If you're an anxious person, you may often be shaky and unbalanced. 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. However, if your anxiety is persistent and you experience these symptoms of anxiety disorders frequently, you may be diagnosed with an anxiety disorder.

It can be difficult to fall asleep or focus when you are constantly stressed. It also affects your body, and could cause you to gain weight, as per the Cleveland Clinic. Anxiety also has a major influence on the menstrual cycle. According to the American Psychological Association, anxiety can cause you skip periods or experience irregular menstrual cycles by affecting hormones that induce the ovulation.

You may be more prone to anxiety if you have high blood pressure or heart issues. It is essential to manage these medical conditions to decrease your risk. Inform your therapist if you are suffering from any of the following conditions.

Other things that could increase your risk for anxiety are traumatic events, such as being in a car accident or having surgery. A recurring medical condition like asthma or an ongoing health issue, such as diabetes, can create does anxiety disorder ever go away. There are treatment options for anxiety disorders. Talk therapy or psychotherapy such as cognitive behavioral treatment (CBT) can aid. CBT teaches you how to change negative thoughts and behaviors that trigger anxiety to positive ones. You can also learn how to use relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing or meditation. Additionally there are supplements that you can take to relax your mind and body.

5. Sweating

Anxiety is an umbrella term for a variety of frightening feelings that could make your heart race, your stomach upset and your muscles tense. Oftentimes, these feelings aren't enough to cause anxiety disorder, but when they're ongoing, they can become out of control. There are also sweating, chills and other physical symptoms which prompt you to seek medical attention.

According to the National Institute of Mental Health The National Institute of Mental Health, sweating is a frequent physical manifestation of anxiety disorders. When your body's fight or flight response is activated, it increases the rate at which your blood circulates to prepare you for battle or escape. The 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 is a feeling that you are unable to breathe. It's a sign that your anxiety is getting too severe to control.

Your doctor will determine if there is an anxiety disorder by evaluating your symptoms and how they affect your daily routine. You'll be asked about your previous experiences as well as your current concerns. They may also conduct tests to identify other health problems that could be the cause of your symptoms, such as bloodwork and imaging scanners. In some instances they may suggest medications to alleviate your symptoms, such as powerful antiperspirants made of aluminium, nerve blocker drugs or botulinum toxin type A (Botox) injections in the sweat glands. Alternative treatments include cognitive behavioral therapy, psychotherapy, and techniques for relaxation such as meditation or yoga.