Physical Symptoms of Anxiety Disorder

Everyone experiences anxiety at times however when anxiety turns into an illness, it can trigger physical as well as emotional symptoms. They can be characterized by a feeling of agitation, muscle tension, and stomach problems.

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

1. Headaches

Most people feel anxious at times. However, this is different from having an anxiety disorder which is when the symptoms are more frequent or do not disappear. Anxiety can also impact your daily routine and cause you to avoid social situations.

Headaches are a typical physical symptom that is associated with anxiety disorder treatment without medication. They can range from tension headache2 up to a full-blown, migraine in some people. This is because a lot of people tighten their muscles as part of their fight-or-flight response and holding their muscles for prolonged periods of time can lead to pain.3

Another physical sign of anxiety is dizziness or lightheadedness. It can be caused by an increased heart rate, hyperventilating, or a combination of both. It can also be an indication of a major medical issue like heart disease, and it's crucial to have your heart examined by your physician.

You may be feeling weak in your legs or arms, which can be another indication of anxiety. This is because the nervous system releases cortisol and adrenaline, which help you respond to threats by speeding up your heartbeat and getting your body ready for a possible attack. As time passes the hormones could have a negative impact on your health, making you feel weak, shakey or dizzy.

You might experience more severe symptoms if your anxious and have difficulty sleeping. Relax before going to bed and follow a routine. This will help you get more sleep. Exercise can also be helpful. Aerobic exercise can release brain chemicals that reduce stress and boost your mood, and it can help you fall asleep easier. If you are still having difficulties sleeping, consult your doctor about possible treatment options.

2. Stomach issues

Anxiety can cause the body to tense up and long-term anxiety can lead to persistent pain. You may experience muscle aches, stomach discomfort or diarrhea. Your digestive system may be affected by the constant release of stress hormones and this could lead to constipation, bloating and IBS.

It is possible to experience stomach problems in any anxiety disorder, but people who suffer from panic disorders are more likely to experience stomach issues. According to the American Psychiatric Association, panic attacks are sudden feelings or fear of imminent danger. They can happen in specific circumstances or without apparent reason. You may feel as if you're having a heart attack or that you cannot breathe. You might also experience chest pains, and a rapid pulse.

Long-term anxiety may increase the chances of developing other health problems. The hormones responsible for fighting or flight that cause the symptoms of anxiety help us respond to threats however, if you're in high alert throughout the day your immune system may suffer. This could increase your risk of contracting common colds, and other illnesses.

Your doctor can diagnose anxiety disorders by conducting a an examination of your body and asking you about your symptoms. Before diagnosing anxiety, they will rule out other causes, such as thyroid and heart diseases. A mental health professional will also be able to provide assistance and assist in managing your symptoms. They can teach you relaxation techniques and assist you to overcome any underlying trauma or negative experience that may have caused your anxiety. They can also assist you in finding the appropriate treatment for you. Ask your doctor to refer you to one or look online for directories that feature an anxiety specialist.

3. Muscle tension

Many people are aware that a racing pulse and a jittery hand are indicators of anxiety. However, they do not realize that muscle tension can be a sign of anxiety disorders such as generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and certain fears. When 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 as the body's fight or flight response triggers a sequence of responses that result in us physically reacting when we sense danger. These responses are a natural part of our survival instincts, but they can cause problems in the long run if they are repeated or occur over a prolonged period of time.

When a real threat occurs your adrenal glands pump out hormones that increase the rate at which your heart beats, so that it can pump more blood to the large muscles in your legs and arms in case you need to flee or fight danger. These increased heart rates also increase the speed at which your lungs fill with oxygen. This combination of heightened stress and hyperventilation can cause you feel dizzy or lightheaded.

If you suffer from an anxiety condition your body is unable to return to its normal resting state between stress responses. Your anxiety disorder causes you to feel constantly anxious, so your sympathetic nervous system remains in high alert. This causes the constant tension of your muscles, which may eventually lead to chronic pain, according to the American Psychological Association. It can also affect your digestive system, which can cause stomachaches constipation, diarrhea, or irritable bowel syndrome.

4. Dizziness

If you're a person who is anxious, you may often feel dizzy and out of balance. The reason for this is to relate to the nervous system's response to anxiety. Your body tenses up when you think of something that worries or scares you, but then relaxes once the threat passes. If you experience these symptoms frequently and your anxiety is chronic, you may have an anxiety disorder.

It can be difficult to sleep or focus when you are constantly worried. According to the Cleveland Clinic, it can also cause your body to suffer and you could gain weight. Anxiety can also have a major impact on your menstrual cycle. According to the American Psychological Association, anxiety can cause you to skip your menstrual cycle or experience irregular menstrual cycles by affecting hormones that induce menstrual ovulation.

A high blood pressure or heart disease can increase your risk of anxiety, which is why it's crucial to get these medical issues under control to reduce your risk. If you suffer from these conditions, be sure to tell your therapist.

Traumatic experiences such as a car crash or surgery may also increase the risk of anxiety. A chronic medical condition, such as asthma or an ongoing health issue like diabetes can also cause anxiety. There are solutions for anxiety disorders. Psychotherapy or talk therapy such as cognitive behavioral treatment (CBT) can be helpful. CBT teaches you how to transform negative thoughts and behaviors that trigger anxiety disorder physical symptoms; check this site out, to positive ones. You can also learn to use relaxation techniques, such as meditation or deep breathing. In addition, 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 rate to rise and your stomach to become upset and your muscles to get tighter. Most of the time, these feelings aren't enough to constitute anxiety disorder--but when they're chronic, they can get out of hand. You might also experience sweating, chills and other physical symptoms that cause you to seek medical attention.

Sweating is a common physical symptom of extreme anxiety disorder disorders, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. When your body's fight or flight response kicks in, it increases the speed that your blood circulates to prepare you best med for generalized anxiety disorder fighting or escape. The increased heart rate may make you 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 could also cause an uneasy feeling that you are not breathing, which is called dyspnea. This could be a sign that your anxiety has become too severe anxiety disorder symptoms to handle.

Your healthcare provider will determine if you have anxiety disorders by analyzing your symptoms and how they affect your daily routine. You'll be asked about your previous experiences and current concerns. They may also run tests to look for other health issues that may be causing them, such as bloodwork and imaging scans. In some cases they may suggest medications to ease symptoms. They can recommend strong antiperspirants with aluminium in them or other substances that block nerves and Botox injections to treat sweat glands. Alternative treatments include cognitive behavior therapy, psychotherapy and relaxation techniques such as yoga or meditation.