Anxiety Body Symptoms

Everybody experiences anxiety at some point especially when confronted by a fear or anxiety. But constant anxiety can cause a domino effect of physical symptoms.

Stress or fear triggers the fight-or-flight response that causes your breathing and heart rate to speed up. Fuel and blood flood the muscles in the event that you have to flee from danger.

Tingling

When you perceive a danger your nervous system triggers a reaction of anxiety. It releases a plethora of chemicals and hormones, including adrenaline, which increases blood flow, boost oxygen and help you respond quickly and effectively. This is the body's normal response to situations that could end your life, and it's designed to protect you (Chand, 2021). We all feel anxious about things that do not necessarily threaten us, and even could be beneficial. The constant increase in stress hormones, in addition to other physical symptoms linked to anxiety, can be physically and mentally draining.

The most frequent sign of anxiety is a feeling throughout your body. You might feel it in your feet, legs or arms and the sensation could be felt all the way to the head, causing headaches. You can also experience it when you sit, lie or stand in the same place for a long time. It could be caused by nutritional deficiencies as well as nerve damage or compression, like caused by a compressed spinal nerve or pinched nerves.

Sweating is another indicator of anxiety. Your body is working hard to pump out more water to your sweat glands when you're anxious or stressed, according to NIMH. That can also cause you to feel cold in your hands and feet because the body draws blood away from these areas to help protect its major organs.

Anxiety is usually accompanied by persistent feelings of fatigue and exhaustion. It could be due to the constant fight or flight stress response or if you're having difficulty sleeping. A physician or mental anxiety symptoms health specialist can offer suggestions on how to get better sleep, such as practicing good habits and avoiding alcohol and caffeine at night.

Weakness

The body's fight-or flight response can start to kick in when you experience anxiety or fear. If you experience fear or anxiety, your body's fight or flight response might kick in. Over the long term however, this constant state of heightened stress and worry can cause your body to feel weak, particularly as it wears on your muscles.

Muscles that are tight and painful can trigger headaches, aches and pains, and other physical conditions. For instance, when you're stressed or nervous your body starts to tense up when you're stressed, and if it occurs repeatedly it could lead to tension headaches. Tight neck and shoulder muscles can also contribute to migraines.

If you're experiencing stomach pain, it could be an indication of anxiety as well. The digestive system of your body is directly connected to your mood. People with anxiety are more likely to experience digestive issues such as constipation and stomachaches.

In addition, weakness can be a sign of anxiety as it can impact the immune system, which increases your vulnerability to infections. Stress hormones can impact the immune system. This is particularly relevant for those who are anxious.

Dr. Barsky says that the first step to identify and managing anxiety is to stop, look at your situation, and take action. If you identify that your physical symptoms are a result of an unending state of anxiety and stress, then you can take steps to end the cycle. "Distract yourself," he suggests, noting that something as simple as watering your plants or making an jigsaw puzzle can aid.

Lightheadedness

Anxiety can cause you to feel dizzy, off-balance or like the world is spinning. This can be a troubling feeling and can also prevent you from being active, out or doing activities that you enjoy. Vertigo is a term used to describe dizziness caused by anxiety. However, it could be a sign of an inner ear disorder such as Benign Peripheral Constant Dizziness (BPPV).

Stress response, or "fight or run" in the body releases chemicals and hormones to prepare you for risk. This can increase the heart rate and breathing as well as changing the amount of oxygen that is being pumped to the brain. This can cause a temporary feeling of lightheadedness. That's why you may feel it when you are delivering a speech or when you are in a busy room. If your anxiety is chronic and you feel this way without any apparent reason, then it could be an anxiety disorder.

This type of nausea triggered by anxiety can last throughout the day or even longer. It is also referred to as Chronic Subjective Dizziness or Persistent Perceptual-Postural Dizziness (PPPD). You should consult your doctor if you also have a medical condition that causes this.

If you don't have any health issues however you feel dizzy when you are anxious You can help calm yourself to relax by focusing on an object or a single point, or by breathing deeply. This is how ballet dancers get relief from this kind of dizziness when dancing. If this doesn't work you, you can always contact a friend or family member to discuss your anxiety and how they can support you. This can help ease your symptoms and stop them from spiraling out of control.

Mouth dryness

When you are anxious your breathing and heart rate will likely change. As part of the fight-or-flight response the body releases stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline which raise your heart rate to bring more oxygen into your bloodstream, allowing you to respond to a threat. If you suffer from chronic anxiety, the constant release of stress-related hormones can have negative health effects. For instance, it can cause your digestion to change in ways that impact your physical health like stomach pains, bloating and diarrhea.

In addition to altering your heart rate as well, these stress hormones may also make you feel breathless or short of breath. This can happen in high-stress situations, for instance, when you're preparing an important event or during an anxiety attack. It can also happen when you experience anxiety frequently and for no reason.

These symptoms of anxiety can cause you to feel sick or nauseated to your stomach, and it's normal for people with anxiety to experience digestive issues. According to the APA people who experience these symptoms regularly should see a mental health professional.

You're not the only one who feels anxiety. If you're concerned about how you feel contact an GP or therapist. They can help you determine whether your symptoms are linked to a particular challenge or the presence of anxiety as a condition. They can also give you information and advice to help manage anxiety. This might include recommending certain medications or therapies, such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT). Try to remain active and sleep enough. You can also perform relaxation exercises such as guided imagery or deep breathing, to help reduce your stress/anxiety symptoms.

Tension

Anxiety can cause the body to feel tight. It can cause pain. The reason for this is that the brain transmits signals to other areas of the body that tell them to prepare for the possibility of a fight or flight. This can lead to an increase in the size of stomach muscles and the sensation of stomach pain. This isn't something you should ignore as it can lead to serious digestive problems like irritable bowel syndrome or sores on the stomach lining called ulcers.

Another sign of anxiety is heart palpitations that are fast and irregular heartbeats. This happens when the stress hormones adrenaline and cortisol are released into the body. These hormones can increase the rate of heartbeat and also increase the amount of oxygen that circulates throughout the body. The body does not need to be on constant alert, so if it is always in this state, it can be exhausted and weak.

Anxiety can also trigger sweating as well as cold hands and legs and lightheadedness. This is caused by an increase in blood flow towards the major organs and muscles. This is part of the fight or reaction, which prepares the body for a risky situation. It can be triggered by real dangers or just by thinking about them. The amygdala is a part of the mind that controls emotional reactions. It also responds to anxiety and trigger physical sensations.

Rapid and shallow breathing can also cause anxiety. According to the U.S. National Library of Medicine this is known as hyperventilation. It upsets the balance of carbon dioxide and oxygen in the bloodstream. This can cause dizziness and tingling in the hands and feet.