Physical Symptoms of Anxiety Disorder

Everyone feels anxious at times, but when anxiety becomes a condition it can cause physical as well as emotional symptoms. These include a feeling of restlessness, muscle tension and stomach problems.

A psychiatrist, psychologist, or therapist uses screening tools to determine if you have anxiety disorders. They will also inquire about your medical history, and perform tests to rule out other medical conditions that could cause similar symptoms.

1. Headaches

Many people feel anxious from time time. But it's not the same as having an anxiety disorder, which 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

Headaches are a common physical symptom that is associated with anxiety. They can range from your normal tension headache2 up to a complete migraine in a few people. This is because a lot of people tighten their muscles as part of the fight-or-flight response, and holding those muscles in a rigid position for long periods of time can lead to pain.3

Dizziness or lightheadedness is another physical symptom of anxiety. It could be due to rapid heart rate, hyperventilating or a combination. It could also be a sign that you are suffering from a serious medical condition like heart disease. Consult your doctor to determine.

You might also feel weak, particularly in your arms or legs. This could be a sign of stress. This is because the nervous system releases adrenaline and cortisol, which help you respond to threats by speeding up your heartbeat and prepare your body for a possible attack. In time, however, those hormones can have the opposite effect 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 take a break before bed and stick to an established routine so that you can rest better. Exercise can be beneficial. Exercise can also aid. If you still have difficulties sleeping, consult your doctor about options for treatment.

2. Stomach problems

Anxiety can cause your body to tighten up and chronic anxiety may cause chronic pain. There may be stomach discomfort, muscle pain or diarrhea. Stress hormones can also affect your gastrointestinal system, leading to constipation or irritablebowel syndrome.

There are stomach issues that can be experienced when you suffer from any what anxiety disorder feels like disorder, however people who suffer from panic disorders are more likely to have these issues. Panic attacks are sudden, intense feelings of terror or impending doom that can occur in certain situations or for no reason according to the American Psychiatric Association. It could feel like you're having a heart attack or that you're not breathing, and you might have chest pain or a rapid heartbeat.

Long-term anxiety can also increase your risk of developing other health issues. The hormones responsible for fighting or flight that cause anxiety symptoms aid us in responding to a threat and if you're constantly always on alert all the time, your immune system can suffer. This could make you more susceptible to the common cold, and other illnesses.

Your doctor can diagnose Acute Anxiety Disorder disorders by conducting a a physical exam and interviewing you about your symptoms. They can rule out other causes, such as heart disease or thyroid problems before determining that you suffer from anxiety. A mental health professional will be able to offer you support and help manage your symptoms. They can assist you in learning relaxation techniques and work through any underlying negative or traumatic experiences that might have contributed to your anxiety. They can also help you in locating the best treatment for you. Ask your doctor for a referral, or check online therapist directories to find an anxiety specialist.

3. Muscle tension

Although most people are aware that a racing heart and hands that feel jittery are signs of anxiety, a lot of people don't realize that muscle tension can be a physical indicator of anxiety disorders such as generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) as well as social anxiety disorder (SAD), panic disorder, or specific phobias. If a person suffers from these symptoms frequently, they may begin to lose their range of motion and suffer from persistent pain in the neck, back and shoulders.

Tense muscles may be an indication of anxiety disorders as the body's fight or flight response triggers a series of bodily reactions that result in us physically reacting when we sense danger. A moderate level of anxiety triggers these responses as part our natural survival instinct however, they can also cause long-term problems with muscles when they happen frequently or over a long period of time.

When there is a real danger, your adrenal glands churn out hormones that increase the rate at which your heart beats so that it can pump more blood to the massive muscles in your arms and legs in case you have to flee or fight the threat. The increased heart rates also increase the speed at which your lungs fill up with oxygen. This combination of increased stress and hyperventilation could make you feel dizzy or lightheaded.

If you suffer from an anxiety disorder, however your body isn't able to its normal state of relaxation between stress responses. You feel anxious all the while because of your anxiety disorder, so you keep your sympathetic nervous system on high alert. This leads to the continuous tensing of your muscles and can eventually cause long-term pain, according to the American Psychological Association. It can also affect your digestive system, causing stomachaches diarrhea, constipation or irritable-bowel syndrome.

4. Dizziness

If you're an anxious person you may be shaky and unbalanced. This is due to the nervous system's response to anxiety. When you are worried or worried your body begins to tense and then relaxes. If you are experiencing these symptoms often and you feel your anxiety is persistent you could be suffering from an anxiety disorder.

It is difficult to fall asleep or focus when you are constantly stressed. It also affects your body, and could cause you to gain weight, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Anxiety can also have a significant effect on your menstrual cycle. It's because it could cause you to skip or have irregular periods because it affects the release of ovulation-inducing hormones, according to the American Psychological Association.

A high blood pressure or heart disease could make you more prone to anxiety, which is why it's crucial 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 your risk for anxiety are traumatic events, such as being in a car accident or having surgery. Anxiety can be triggered by a chronic illness, like asthma or diabetes or a recurring medical condition. The good news is that there are solutions that can ease anxiety issues. Psychotherapy or talk therapy such as cognitive behavioral treatment (CBT) can be helpful. CBT teaches you how to transform negative behavior patterns and thoughts that cause anxiety to positive ones. You can also learn to practice relaxation techniques, like deep breathing or meditation. Additionally, there are supplements available to relax your body and mind.

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 become tight. Oftentimes, these feelings aren't enough to constitute anxiety disorder--but when they're chronic and get out of hand. You might also experience chills, sweating and other physical symptoms which prompt you to seek medical help.

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 that your blood circulates to prepare you for fight or escape. This increase in heart rate can cause you to feel dizzy and 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 the feeling that you can't breathe. This is a sign that your anxiety has become too severe to manage.

Your healthcare provider will assess your anxiety for a disorder in light of your symptoms and the way they affect your daily routine. They'll begin by asking you about your past experiences and current concerns. They might also conduct tests to check for other health issues that may be causing your symptoms, including bloodwork and imaging scanners. In certain instances, they might recommend medications to help ease your symptoms, including strong antiperspirants made of aluminium, nerve blocker drugs for generalized anxiety disorder, or botulinum toxin type A (Botox) injections around the sweat glands. Alternative treatments include psychotherapy, cognitive therapy, and relaxation techniques such as yoga or meditation.