Physical Symptoms of Anxiety Disorder

Every person experiences anxiety at some point, but when anxiety becomes a condition it can cause physical and emotional symptoms. These include a feeling of tension in the muscles, restlessness and stomach problems.

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

1. Headaches

Most people feel anxious occasionally. But that's different from having an anxiety disorder that is, when the feelings are more frequent or don't go away. 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 tension headache2 up 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 lead to pain.3

Lightheadedness or dizziness is another symptom of physical anxiety. This could be due to an increased heart rate, hyperventilating or an amalgamation of both. It could also be a sign that you are suffering from an underlying medical condition such as heart disease. Consult your doctor to find out.

You might also feel weak, especially in your arms or legs. This can be a sign of stress. This is because the nervous system releases cortisol and adrenaline, which help you respond to a threat by speeding up your heartbeat and getting your body ready for a possible attack. In time the hormones can have a negative impact on your health, making you feel weak, shaky or dizzy.

If you have trouble getting enough sleep because of anxiety, it could make your symptoms worse. Try to take a break before bed and stick to your routine so that you can rest better. Exercise can also be beneficial. Exercise can also help. Talk to your doctor in case you're having trouble sleeping.

2. Stomach issues

The body is tense in response to anxiety and if you suffer from chronic mild anxiety disorder, it could result in persistent discomfort. There may be muscle aches, stomach discomfort or diarrhea. Stress hormones can also affect your digestive system, leading to constipation or irritablebowel syndrome.

People who suffer from panic disorders are at an increased chance of developing stomach problems. Panic attacks are sudden feelings of fear or imminent doom that occur in specific situations or for no reason, according to the American Psychiatric Association. It could feel like you are having a heartattack or that you are unable to breathe. You may also experience chest pains, and a rapid pulse.

Chronic anxiety can increase your risk for other health problems also. The hormones that trigger the symptoms of anxiety assist us in responding to a threat, but if you're always on alert all the time, your immune system can suffer. This could make you more susceptible to getting the common cold as well as other diseases.

Your doctor can diagnose anxiety disorders by conducting an examination of your body and a conversation about your symptoms. Before diagnosing anxiety, they can determine if there are other causes, such as heart disease and thyroid problems. A mental health professional will also be able to provide support and help manage your symptoms. They can help you learn relaxation techniques and help you work through any underlying traumas or negative experiences that may have caused your illness anxiety disorder. They can also assist you to find a treatment option that is appropriate for you. Ask your doctor to refer you to one or look up directories online for an anxiety specialist.

3. Muscle tension

Many people are aware that a fast pulse and jittery hand are signs of anxiety. But, they don't realize that muscle tension can be an indication of anxiety disorders like generalized anxiety disorder social anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and specific fears. If a person is experiencing these symptoms regularly, they can lose their mobility and experience persistent discomfort in their neck, back and shoulders.

Tense muscles are a typical symptom of anxiety disorder because the body's fight-or-flight response triggers a cascade of reactions that result in us physically reacting to perceived threats. These responses are a natural part of our survival instincts but they can cause long-term issues if they're repeated or occur over a prolonged period of time.

If a serious threat is present, your adrenal glands churn out hormones that increase how fast your heart beats, so that it can pump more blood to the massive muscles in your legs and arms in case you have to flee or fight threat. The increased heart rate can boost how quickly your lungs fill with oxygen. This combination of increased stress and hyperventilation could cause you to feel lightheaded or dizzy.

If you have an anxiety condition, your body is unable to return to its normal resting state between stress-related responses. The anxiety disorder causes you to feel constantly anxious and your sympathetic nervous system is on high alert. This leads to the continuous tension in your muscles that may eventually lead to long-term pain, according the American Psychological Association. It can also affect the digestive system, causing stomachaches, constipation, diarrhea, or irritable bowel syndrome.

4. Dizziness

If you're a stressed-out person you might feel dizzy and out of balance. The reason for this is to be due to the nervous system's response to anxiety. When you are worried or worried, your body tenses and then relaxes. However, if your anxiety is recurring and you are experiencing these symptoms often you may be diagnosed with an anxiety disorder.

It can be difficult to fall asleep or concentrate when you're always worried. According to the Cleveland Clinic, it can also cause your body to suffer and you may gain weight. Anxiety can also have an influence on your menstrual cycles. According to the American Psychological Association, anxiety disorders effects; our homepage, can cause you skip periods or experience irregular menstrual cycles by affecting hormones that induce menstrual ovulation.

A high blood pressure or heart disease can make you more prone to anxiety, and it's essential to get these medical issues under control to decrease your risk. If you suffer from these conditions, make sure to inform your therapist.

Other things that could increase the risk of anxiety are traumatic events 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 what are the 6 types of anxiety disorders treatments which can alleviate 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 deep breathing and meditation. You can also take supplements to calm your body and mind.

5. Sweating

Anxiety is a term that covers a wide range of feelings that can cause your heart to race and your stomach to become upset and your muscles to become tight. Most of the time, these feelings don't constitute an anxiety disorders, but if they're persistent and get out of hand. You might also experience sweating, chills and other physical symptoms that require medical attention.

Sweating is a common physical sign of anxiety disorders, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. When your body's fight-or-flight response kicks in, it increases the speed at which your blood circulates to prepare you for fight or escape. The increased heart rate could 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.

This imbalance can cause an uneasy feeling that you are not breathing properly or breathe, which is known as dyspnea. It's a sign that your anxiety is getting too severe to control.

Your healthcare provider will determine if you have anxiety disorders by analyzing your symptoms and how they impact your daily routine. They'll start by asking you about your past experiences and current concerns. They may also perform tests to identify other health problems that could be the cause of your symptoms, like imaging scanners and blood tests. In some cases they may recommend medications to relieve symptoms. These include powerful antiperspirants with aluminium in them and other drugs that block nerves, or Botox injections to treat sweat glands. Alternative treatments include psychotherapy, cognitive therapy and relaxation techniques like meditation or yoga.