Why Nobody Cares About Anxiety Disorder Physical Symptoms
Physical Symptoms of Anxiety Disorder Every person experiences anxiety at some point however, when anxiety develops into a condition it can cause physical as well as emotional symptoms. These include a feeling of anxiety, muscle tension and stomach problems. A psychiatrist, psychologist, or therapist will use screening tools to determine if you have anxiety disorders. They will also ask about your medical history, and conduct tests to rule out other health conditions which may cause similar symptoms. 1. Headaches Many people have anxiety from time to times. An anxiety disorder is when these symptoms are continuous or more frequent. Anxiety can also interfere with your everyday life or cause you to avoid social situations.1 Headaches are a common physical symptom that is associated with anxiety. They can range from a tension headache2 all the way to a full-blown migraine in some individuals. Many people tense up their muscles in a fight-or-flight reaction, and holding them in a rigid position for a long duration can cause pain. Lightheadedness or dizziness is another physical symptom of anxiety. This can be caused by rapid heart rate, hyperventilating or an amalgamation of both. It could also be a sign that you are suffering from an illness that is serious, such as heart disease. Consult your doctor to determine. You may also feel weak in the legs or arms, which can be another sign of anxiety. This is because your nervous system releases cortisol and adrenaline which help you react to a threat by accelerating the heartbeat and preparing the entire body for an attack. Over time, however, those hormones may have a negative impact on your health and may cause you to feel weak, shaky, weak, or dizzy. You might experience more severe symptoms if you are stressed and having difficulty sleeping. Relax before bed and adhere to the same routine. This will help you get more sleep. Exercise can be beneficial. Exercise can help. Consult your physician if you are still having trouble sleeping. 2. Stomach problems Anxiety can cause the body to become tense, and chronic anxiety can cause chronic pain. Your muscles may ache, your stomach can feel a bit sluggish, or you could experience diarrhea. Stress hormones can also impact the digestive system, leading to constipation or irritable bowel syndrome. There are stomach issues that can be experienced with any type of anxiety disorder, however people who suffer from panic disorders are more likely to experience stomach issues. Panic attacks are sudden feelings of fear or dread that happen in specific circumstances or for no apparent reason, according to the American Psychiatric Association. You might feel as if you're experiencing an attack of the heart or that you're unable to breathe, or you might have chest pain and a rapid heartbeat. Long-term anxiety can increase your risk for other health problems, too. The hormones that trigger anxiety symptoms allow us to respond to threats and if we're on high alert, our immune system can be affected. This can make you more prone to common colds, and other diseases. Your doctor can diagnose anxiety disorders by conducting physical examination and an interview about your symptoms. They can rule out other causes, like thyroid issues or heart disease before determining that you suffer from anxiety. A mental health professional can also offer support and help you manage your symptoms. They can assist you in learning techniques for relaxation and work through any traumas or negative experiences which might have contributed to your anxiety. They can also aid you in locating the best treatment for you. Ask your doctor for a referral or look up online directories of therapists to find an anxiety specialist. 3. Muscle tension Many people are aware that a twitchy pulse and a jittery hand are indicators of anxiety. However, they don't know that chronic muscle tension could be a sign of anxiety disorders like generalized anxiety disorder or social anxiety disorder panic disorder, and even specific fears. If a person is experiencing these symptoms regularly, they can lose their range of motion and suffer from chronic discomfort in their neck, back and shoulders. Tense muscles are a typical sign of anxiety disorders because the body's fight or flight response triggers a chain of bodily reactions that trigger us to physically react to perceived threats. Moderate anxiety levels elicit these responses as part our survival instincts however, they can cause long-term problems with muscles when they occur regularly or over a prolonged period of time. When a real danger is present your adrenal glands release hormones that speed up the rate of your heartbeat, so that more blood is pumped to the muscles of your legs or arms in the event that you have to flee or fight. Those increased heart rates also increase the speed at which your lungs are filled with oxygen. The combination of stress and hyperventilation may cause you to feel dizzy or lightheaded. If you suffer from an anxiety condition your body is unable to return to its normal state between stress responses. You feel anxious all the while due to your anxiety disorder, which is why you keep your sympathetic nervous system on high alert. According to the American Psychological Association, this can lead to chronic muscle tension and lasting pain. It can also affect your digestive system, causing stomachaches constipation, diarrhea, or irritable bowel syndrome. 4. Dizziness You might be shaky or unbalanced in the event of anxiety. The reason for this is to do with the nervous system response to anxiety. The body gets tense whenever you think about something that worries or scares you, but then relaxes after the threat has passed. If, however, your anxiety is recurring and you are experiencing these symptoms often you could be diagnosed with an anxiety disorder. It can be difficult to sleep or concentrate when you are constantly stressed. It also affects your body, and could cause you to gain weight, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Anxiety also has a big impact on your 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. High blood pressure or heart disease may make you more prone to anxiety, and it's essential to bring these medical conditions under control to lower your risk. Talk to your therapist if are suffering from any of the following conditions. Other things that can increase your risk of anxiety are traumatizing experiences like being in a car crash or having surgery. A chronic medical condition, such as asthma or a chronic health issue like diabetes can also cause anxiety. There are treatment options for anxiety disorders. Talk therapy or psychotherapy such as cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) can aid. CBT teaches you how to change negative behavior patterns and thoughts that cause anxiety to positive ones. You can also learn relaxation techniques, such as meditation and deep breathing. In addition, there are supplements available to help calm your mind and body. 5. Sweating Anxiety is a term that covers many different feelings that can cause your heart to race and your stomach to ache and your muscles to become tight. Sometimes, these symptoms aren't enough to constitute anxiety disorder, but when they're ongoing and get out of hand. You may also experience sweating, chills and other physical symptoms that make you seek medical attention. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, sweating is a common physical manifestation of anxiety disorders. When your body's “fight-or-flight” response kicks in it boosts the rate of blood circulation to prepare you for the fight. The increased heart rate can cause you to feel exhausted and dizzy. 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 are unable to breathe. This is a sign your anxiety has become too severe to manage. Your healthcare provider will assess you for an anxiety disorder in light of your symptoms and the way they affect your daily life. You'll be asked about your past experiences as well as your current concerns. They may also perform tests to determine if you have any other health problems that could be the cause of your symptoms, like imaging scanners and blood tests. In some instances they may recommend medication to 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 like meditation or yoga.