5 Laws Everybody In Anxiety Disorder Physical Symptoms Should Know

Physical Symptoms of Anxiety Disorder

While everyone feels anxious from time to time, when anxiety becomes an illness, it can trigger physical symptoms, as well as emotional ones. These include a sense of anxiety, muscle tension, and stomach problems.

A psychologist, psychiatrist or therapist will employ screening tools to determine if you suffer from anxiety disorders. They will also ask about your medical history and conduct tests to rule out other health conditions that may cause similar symptoms.

1. Headaches

The majority of people experience anxiety occasionally. An anxiety disorder occurs when these symptoms are constant or frequent. Anxiety can also interfere with your daily routine or cause you to avoid social situations.1

A common physical symptom of anxiety is headaches. They can range from your average tension headache2 to a full-blown migraine in some people. A lot of people tighten their muscles as part of their fight or flight response, and holding them rigidly for a long period of time can cause pain.

Lightheadedness or dizziness is another physical symptom of anxiety. This could be caused by a rapid heart rate, hyperventilating or the combination of both. It could be a sign you have a serious medical condition like heart disease. Consult your physician to determine.

You might also feel weak in your legs or arms this could be another indication of anxiety. This is because the nervous system releases adrenaline and cortisol which aid in responding to threats by speeding up your heartbeat and preparing your body for a potential attack. However, over time, those hormones can have the opposite effect on your health, and can make you feel shaky, weak, or dizzy.

You may experience worse symptoms if you are stressed and are having trouble sleeping. Relax before bed and stick to the same routine. This will help you get more sleep. Exercise can also be beneficial. Aerobic exercise can release brain chemicals that can reduce stress and boost your mood, and it can aid in falling asleep more easily. Consult your physician if you are still struggling to sleep.

2. Stomach problems

Anxiety can cause your body to tighten up, and chronic anxiety can cause pain that persists for a long time. Your muscles might ache, your stomach can feel off or you can get diarrhea. The digestive system of your body can be affected by the constant release of stress hormones, and this can lead to constipation, bloating, or IBS.

People suffering from panic disorders are at an increased risk of stomach problems. According to the American Psychiatric Association, panic attacks are sudden, intense feelings or a fear of imminent death. They can happen in certain situations or without any reason. You may feel as if you are having a heartattack or that you are unable to breathe. You might also experience chest pains or a rapid pulse.

Chronic anxiety can increase your risk of other health problems also. The hormones that cause anxiety symptoms help us to respond to a danger however, if we're always alert, our immune system can be affected. This can increase your risk of contracting the common cold, as well as other diseases.

Your doctor can diagnose anxiety disorders by conducting a physical examination and a discussion regarding your symptoms. Before diagnosing anxiety, they can rule out other causes such as heart disease and thyroid problems. A mental health professional will be able to offer you support and help manage your symptoms. They can help you learn relaxation techniques and help you work through any negative or traumatic experiences that might have contributed to your anxiety. They can also assist you to identify a treatment plan that is suitable for you. Ask your doctor for a referral, or check online therapist directories to find a therapist who is an expert in anxiety.

3. Muscle tension

Many people are aware that a racing pulse and a hand that is jittery are indications of anxiety. But, they don't realize that chronic muscle tension could be a sign of  anxiety disorder s like generalized anxiety disorder or social anxiety disorder panic disorder, and certain phobias. If someone is experiencing these symptoms on a regular basis they may lose their range of motion and experience chronic pain in their neck, back, and shoulders.

Tense muscles may be a sign of anxiety disorders because the body's fight or flight response triggers a sequence of bodily reactions that trigger us to physically react when we sense danger. These responses are a natural part of our survival instincts but they can cause long-term problems if they are repeated over a long period of time.

If a risk is present your adrenal glands release hormones that boost the speed of your heartbeat so that more blood can be delivered to your muscles that are large in your legs or arms in the event you have to flee or fight. These increased heart rates also boost how quickly your lungs are filled with oxygen. This combination of increased stress and hyperventilation may 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 reactions. The anxiety disorder causes you to feel anxious all the time which means that your sympathetic nervous system is at a high level of alert. According to the American Psychological Association, this can cause chronic muscle tensing and long-term pain. It can also affect the digestive system, causing stomachaches diarrhea, constipation or irritable-bowel syndrome.

4. Dizziness

If you're a person who is anxious, you may often feel dizzy and off balance. The reason for this is to relate to the nervous system's response to anxiety. If you are stressed or scared, your body tenses and then it relaxes. However, if your anxiety is persistent and you experience these symptoms frequently you could be diagnosed with an anxiety disorder.

It can be difficult to sleep or concentrate when you are constantly stressed. According to the Cleveland Clinic, it can also cause your body to suffer, and you may gain weight. Anxiety also has a big influence on the menstrual cycle. This is because it can cause you to miss or have irregular periods due to the inability to release hormones that induce ovulation, according to the American Psychological Association.

High blood pressure or heart disease could increase your risk of anxiety, which is why it's crucial to bring these medical conditions under control to reduce your risk. If you have these conditions, make sure to inform your therapist.

A traumatic experience like a car accident or surgery may also increase the risk of anxiety. A chronic medical condition such as asthma or chronic health issues, such as diabetes, can create anxiety. There are treatment options for anxiety disorders. Talk therapy or psychotherapy like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can aid. CBT teaches you how to transform negative thoughts and behaviors that trigger anxiety into positive ones. You can also learn to use relaxation techniques such as meditation or deep breathing. You can also take supplements to help calm your mind and body.

5. Sweating

Anxiety is a broad term for a whole cluster of threatening feelings that can make your heart beat faster and your stomach ache, as well as your muscles tense. These symptoms alone aren't enough to cause anxiety disorder, but when they become chronic, it could become a problem. There are also chills, sweating and other physical symptoms that require medical attention.

According to the National Institute of Mental Health sweating is a typical physical manifestation of anxiety disorders. When your body's fight-or-flight response is activated, it increases the speed that your blood circulates to prepare you for battle 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.

This imbalance may cause the feeling of not being breathing properly, which is called dyspnea. It's a sign that your anxiety is getting too overwhelming to manage.

Your doctor will evaluate you for an anxiety disorder based on your reported symptoms and the way they affect your daily routine. They'll start by asking you about your past experiences and your current concerns. They may also run tests to look for other health issues that could be causing the symptoms, such as bloodwork and imaging scans. In some cases, they might recommend medications to ease your symptoms, such as strong antiperspirants that contain aluminium, nerve-blocking drugs, or botulinum toxin type A (Botox) injections that target the sweat glands. Alternative treatments include cognitive behavior therapy, psychotherapy, and techniques for relaxation such as meditation or yoga.