"Ask Me Anything": Ten Responses To Your Questions About 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 agitation, muscle tension, and stomach problems.

A psychologist, psychiatrist, or therapist will use screening tools to determine if you suffer from anxiety disorder. They will also inquire 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. An anxiety disorder occurs when these feelings are continuous or more frequent. Anxiety can also impact your daily routine and make you avoid social situations.

A common physical symptom of anxiety are headaches. They can range from tension headache2 to a full-blown migraine in some people. This is because many people tighten their muscles in response to the fight or flight response, and holding those muscles for prolonged periods of time can lead to pain.3

Lightheadedness or dizziness is another physical symptom of anxiety. It could be due to rapid heart rate, hyperventilating or an amalgamation of the two. It could be a sign you suffer from an underlying medical condition such as heart disease. Consult your doctor to find out.

You might be feeling weak, especially in your legs or arms. This could be a sign of anxiety. This is because the nervous system releases adrenaline and cortisol, which help you respond to a threat by increasing your heart rate and prepare your body for a potential attack. Over time, these hormones could have a negative impact on your health, making you feel weak, shaky or dizzy.

You may experience worse symptoms if your stressed and having difficulty sleeping. Relax before going to bed and adhere to a routine. This will help you get more rest. Exercise is also helpful. Brisk aerobic activity can release brain chemicals that reduce stress and boost your mood, and it can help you fall asleep easier. Talk to your doctor If you're still having trouble sleeping.

2. Stomach issues

The body tightens up in response to anxiety, and if you have chronic anxiety, it could cause constant pain. You might experience stomach pain, muscle aches or diarrhea. Stress hormones can also affect the digestive system, leading to constipation or irritablebowel syndrome.

You can experience stomach issues when you suffer from any anxiety disorder, but those who suffer from panic disorders are more likely to have stomach issues. According to the American Psychiatric Association, panic attacks are sudden sensations or fear of imminent death. They can occur in certain situations or without a reason. It could feel like you're having an attack of the heart or that you're not breathing, and you might have chest pain or a rapid heartbeat.

Chronic anxiety can increase your risk for other health issues also. The hormones that cause anxiety symptoms allow us to respond to a danger however, if we're always on high alert, our immune system can be affected. This can make you more prone to the common cold, and other diseases.

Your doctor can diagnose anxiety disorders by doing an examination and talking to you about your symptoms. They will rule out other causes, like heart disease or thyroid problems, before diagnosing you with anxiety. A mental health professional can also offer support and help you manage your symptoms. They can teach you relaxation techniques and assist you to overcome any underlying trauma or negative experiences that could have triggered your anxiety. They can also help you determine the best drug for anxiety disorder treatment option that is right 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

Although most people are aware that a heart racing and jittery hands are signs of anxiety, a lot of people don't realize that muscle tension is a physical indicator of anxiety disorders such as generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) as well as social depressive anxiety disorder disorder (SAD) or panic disorder, or specific fears. If a person experiences these symptoms regularly, they may begin to lose their range of motion and experience persistent pain in the neck, back, and shoulders.

Tense muscles are a typical manifestation of anxiety disorder since the body's fight-or flight response triggers a cascade of reactions that cause us to physically react to perceived threats. These reactions are a normal part of our survival instincts, but they can cause long-term problems if they are repeated over a long time.

When there is a real danger, your adrenal glands churn out hormones that accelerate how fast your heart beats so that it can pump more blood to the big muscles in your arms and legs in case you need to escape or fight the threat. The increased heart rate can boost how quickly your lungs are filled with oxygen. The combination of stress and hyperventilation can cause you feel dizzy or lightheaded.

If you suffer from an anxiety condition your body isn't able to return to its normal state between stress-related responses. The anxiety disorder makes you feel constantly anxious, so your sympathetic nervous system is in high alert. According to the American Psychological Association, this can cause chronic muscle tensing and long-term pain. It can also affect your digestive system, which may cause stomachaches and constipation, diarrhea or irritable bowel syndrome.

4. Dizziness

If you're an anxious person, you may often feel dizzy and out of balance. The reason for this is to be due to the nervous system's response to anxiety. If you are stressed or anxious your body begins to tense and then relaxes. However, if your anxiety is persistent and you experience these symptoms regularly you could be diagnosed with an anxiety disorder.

When you're worried on a regular basis, it can be hard to concentrate or sleep enough. It also affects your body, and could cause you to gain weight, per the Cleveland Clinic. Anxiety can also have a significant impact on your menstrual cycles. That's because it can cause you to miss or have irregular menstrual flow due to the inability to release hormones that trigger ovulation, as per the American Psychological Association.

You can be more susceptible to anxiety if you have high blood pressure or heart issues. It is important to manage these medical conditions to decrease your risk. Tell your therapist if you are suffering from any of the following conditions.

A traumatic experience like a car accident or surgery can increase your anxiety risk. A recurring medical condition like asthma or chronic health issues like diabetes can trigger hyper anxiety disorder. The good news is that there are treatments that can ease anxiety disorders. Talk therapy or psychotherapy such as cognitive behavioral treatment (CBT) can aid. CBT teaches you how to change negative thoughts and behaviors that cause anxiety into positive ones. You can also learn relaxation techniques such as meditation and deep breathing. You can also take supplements to calm your body and mind.

5. Sweating

Anxiety is a broad term cure for anxiety disorder (mouse click the following post) a range of threatening feelings that can make your heart race, your stomach upset and your muscles tense. Sometimes, these symptoms aren't enough to cause anxiety disorder, but when they're ongoing and become out of control. You might be experiencing chills, sweating and other physical symptoms that prompt you to seek medical care.

According to the National Institute of Mental Health The National Institute of Mental Health, sweating is a frequent physical sign of anxiety disorders. When your body's "fight-or-flight" response kicks in, it boosts the rate of blood circulation to prepare you for combat. The increased heart rate can cause you to feel dizzy and breathless. 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 can't breathe. This could be a sign that your anxiety has become too severe to handle.

Your doctor will evaluate your anxiety for a disorder based on your reported symptoms and the way they affect your daily life. You'll be asked about your previous experiences as well as your current concerns. They may also run tests to look for other health issues that could be causing them, such as bloodwork and imaging scans. In certain instances, they might suggest medications to ease your symptoms. These include powerful antiperspirants containing aluminium or other substances that block nerves and Botox injections around sweat glands. Alternative treatments include cognitive behavioral therapy, psychotherapy and techniques for relaxation such as yoga or meditation.