The Most Pervasive Issues In Anxiety Disorder Physical Symptoms
Physical Symptoms of Anxiety Disorder
Everyone experiences anxiety at times however, when anxiety develops into a problem, it can cause physical and emotional symptoms. These include a sense of anxiety, muscle tension, and stomach problems.
A psychologist, psychiatrist, or therapist utilizes screening tools to determine if you have anxiety disorder. They will also ask about your medical history and conduct tests to rule out other medical conditions that could cause similar symptoms.
1. Headaches
Most people experience anxiety from time to some point. But that's different from having an anxiety disorder, that is, when the feelings are more frequent or do not disappear. Anxiety can affect your daily routine or cause you to avoid social situations.1
Headaches are a typical physical symptom associated with anxiety. They can range from a tension headache2 to a complete migraine in some people. Many people tense up their muscles as part of their fight or flight response, and holding them in a rigid way for a prolonged time can cause pain.
Lightheadedness or dizziness are another physical symptom of anxiety. It could be due to a rapid heart rate, hyperventilating or a combination. It could be a sign you suffer from an illness that is serious, such as heart disease. Consult your physician to find out.
You may be feeling weak in your arms or legs, which can be another sign of anxiety. This is because your nervous system releases cortisol and adrenaline which aids in responding to a danger by speeding up the heartbeat and preparing the entire body for a potential attack. However, over time, those hormones may have a negative impact on your health and could cause you to feel shakey and weak or dizzy.
You may experience worse symptoms if you're stressed and having difficulty sleeping. Try to take a break before bed and stick to a regular routine so that you can get more rest. Exercise can also be beneficial. Brisk aerobic activity can release brain chemicals that cut stress and boost your mood, and it can help you fall asleep easier. Talk to your doctor if you are still having trouble sleeping.
2. Stomach problems
The body is tense when you are anxious, and if you suffer from chronic anxiety, it can cause constant pain. Your muscles might ache or your stomach may feel a bit sluggish, or you could experience diarrhea. Stress hormones can affect the digestive system, causing constipation or irritable bowel syndrome.
People with panic disorders have an increased risk of stomach problems. Panic attacks are sudden feelings of fear or imminent doom that can occur in certain situations or for no reason according to the American Psychiatric Association. You might feel as if you're experiencing an attack of the heart or that you can't breathe, and you may experience chest pain and a fast heartbeat.
Long-term anxiety may also increase your chances of developing other health problems. The hormones that cause anxiety symptoms can help us respond to a danger and if we're on alert, our immune system can be affected. This could make you more susceptible to contracting the common cold as well as other ailments.
Your doctor can diagnose anxiety disorders through an examination of your body and an interview regarding your symptoms. They will rule out other causes, such as thyroid or heart problems before determining that you suffer from anxiety. A mental health professional can provide support and assistance to manage your symptoms. They can teach you relaxation techniques and assist you to deal with any trauma or negative experience that may have caused your anxiety. They can also help you determine the best treatment option that is appropriate 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
While most people know that a racing heart and hands that feel jittery are signs of anxiety, many don't realize that chronic muscle tension can be a physical indication of anxiety disorders such as generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) or social anxiety disorder (SAD), panic disorder, or specific fears. If a person suffers from these symptoms frequently, they may begin to lose their range of motion and experience constant pain in the back, neck, and shoulders.
Tense muscles may be an indication of anxiety disorders due to the body's fight or flight response triggers a range of bodily reactions that trigger us to physically react when we perceive threats. These reactions are a normal part of our survival instincts but they can cause problems in the long run if they are repeated or over a long period of time.
When a real threat occurs, your adrenal glands churn out hormones that accelerate the rate at which your heart beats, so that it can pump more blood to the big muscles in your arms and legs in case you need to flee or fight the danger. Those increased heart rates also increase the speed at which your lungs fill with oxygen. The combination of stress and hyperventilation may cause you to feel dizzy or lightheaded.
If you have an anxiety condition your body isn't able to return to its normal resting state between stress-related responses. You are constantly anxious all the while because of your anxiety disorder, which is why you keep your sympathetic nervous system in high alert. According to the American Psychological Association, this could lead to chronic muscle tension and long-term pain. It can also affect the digestive system, causing stomachaches constipation, diarrhea or irritable-bowel syndrome.
4. Dizziness
If you're a person who is anxious you might feel dizzy and out of balance. The reason is to do with the nervous system response to anxiety. If you are stressed or anxious your body begins to tense and then it relaxes. However, if your anxiety is recurring and you experience these symptoms frequently you could be diagnosed with an anxiety disorder.
It is difficult to fall asleep or concentrate when you're constantly stressed. It also wreaks havoc on 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 to miss your periods or experience irregular menstrual cycles by altering hormones that cause the ovulation.
Having 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 have these conditions, be sure to inform your therapist.
Other things that could increase your risk of anxiety are traumatizing experiences like being in a car accident or having surgery. A chronic medical condition such as asthma or a chronic health issue, such as diabetes, can cause anxiety. The good news is that there are treatments that can ease anxiety issues. They include psychotherapy or talk therapy, for instance cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) which teaches you to turn negative thoughts and behaviors that trigger anxiety into positive ones. You can also learn how to use relaxation techniques such as meditation or deep breathing. Additionally, there are supplements that you can take to calm your body and mind.
5. Sweating
Anxiety is a broad term for a variety of threatening feelings that can cause your heart to beat and your stomach turn a bit upset, and your muscles tense. These emotions alone aren't enough to cause anxiety disorder but when they become chronic, they can cause problems. You might be experiencing chills, sweating and other physical symptoms that prompt you to seek medical treatment.
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 speed of blood circulation to prepare you for combat. This 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.
This imbalance may also lead to the feeling of not being breathing properly and is known as dyspnea. This is a sign that your anxiety has grown too severe to handle.
Your healthcare provider will determine if you suffer from an anxiety disorder by evaluating your symptoms and how they affect your daily life. You'll be asked about your previous experiences as well as current concerns. They may also conduct tests to identify other health issues that may be causing your symptoms, like imaging scanners and blood tests. In some instances they may recommend medication to help ease your symptoms, including strong antiperspirants made of aluminium, nerve blocker drugs, or botulinum toxin type A (Botox) injections in the sweat glands. Alternative treatments include psychotherapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, and relaxation techniques such as meditation or yoga.