Physical Symptoms of Anxiety Disorder

While everyone feels anxious at times, when anxiety becomes a disorder it can cause physical symptoms as well as emotional ones. These include a sense of restlessness, muscular tension and stomach issues.

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

1. Headaches

Many people feel anxious at times. An phobic anxiety disorder (websites) disorder occurs when these feelings become continuous or more frequent. Anxiety can also affect your daily life or cause you to avoid social situations.1

Headaches are a typical physical symptom that is associated with anxiety. They can range from the normal tension headache2 up to a complete migraine in a few people. Many people tighten their muscles as part of their fight or flight response, and holding them in a rigid way meds for generalized anxiety disorder a prolonged time could cause pain.

Dizziness or lightheadedness is another symptom of physical anxiety. It could be due to a rapid heart rate, hyperventilating or an amalgamation of the two. It can also be a sign of a serious medical problem such as heart disease, which is why it's important to get checked out by your physician.

You may be feeling weak, especially in your arms or legs. This could be a sign of stress. This is because your nervous system releases cortisol and adrenaline which aids in responding to danger by speeding up your heartbeat and preparing your entire body for a potential attack. In time, however, those hormones can have the opposite effect on your health, and may cause you to feel weak, shaky or weak. You may also feel dizzy, weak, or weak.

There are times when you may experience more symptoms if you are anxious and have difficulty sleeping. Try to unwind before bed and adhere to a regular routine so that you can sleep better. Exercise can also be helpful. Exercise can also help. If you're still having difficulty sleeping, speak to your doctor about options for treatment.

2. Stomach issues

The body is tense in response to anxiety, and if you have chronic anxiety it can result in persistent pain. Your muscles might ache or your stomach may feel off or you can get diarrhea. Your gastrointestinal system can also be affected by the constant release of stress hormones which can cause constipation, bloating, or IBS.

You can experience stomach issues in any anxiety disorder, but those who suffer from panic disorders are more likely to experience them. Panic attacks are sudden, intense feelings of terror or impending doom that happen in specific circumstances or for no apparent reason, according to the American Psychiatric Association. You may feel as if you're experiencing a heart attack or that you're unable to breathe. You may also experience chest pains and an extremely rapid pulse.

Long-term anxiety can also increase your chances of developing other health problems. The hormones responsible for fighting or flight that cause anxiety symptoms help us respond to threats however, if you're on high alert all the time your immune system may be affected. This could make you more prone to catching the common cold as well as other ailments.

Your doctor can diagnose anxiety disorders by conducting a an examination of your body and asking you about your symptoms. Before diagnosing anxiety, they can rule out other causes like heart disease and thyroid problems. A mental health professional will be able to provide support and help manage your symptoms. They can also teach relaxation techniques and help you deal with any trauma or negative experience that may have caused anxiety. They can also help you find a treatment option that is right for you. Ask your doctor to refer you, or look online for directories that feature an anxiety specialist.

3. Muscle tension

Although most people are aware that a heart racing and hands that feel jittery are signs of anxiety, a lot of people don't know that muscle tension can be a physical sign of anxiety disorders like generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) or social anxiety disorder (SAD), panic disorder, or even specific fears. If a person experiences these symptoms regularly they could begin to lose their range of motion and suffer from persistent pain in the neck, back and shoulders.

Tense muscles are a common symptom of anxiety disorder because the body's fight-or-flight response triggers a series of responses that result in us physically reacting to perceived threats. These reactions are a natural part of our survival instincts however, they can cause long-term problems if they are repeated or over a long time.

If a serious threat is present the adrenal glands crank out hormones that increase how fast your heart beats so that it can pump more blood to the large muscles in your arms and legs in case you have to escape or fight the threat. The increased heart rates also increase the speed that your lungs fill up with oxygen. The combination of stress and hyperventilation could cause you to feel dizzy or lightheaded.

If you have an anxiety condition your body is unable to return to its normal state between stress reactions. The anxiety eating disorder disorder causes you to feel constantly anxious which means that your sympathetic nervous system remains on high alert. This causes the constant tension of your muscles, which could eventually result in chronic pain, according to the American Psychological Association. It can also affect your digestive system, which could cause stomachaches and constipation, diarrhea or irritable bowel syndrome.

4. Dizziness

You may be shaky or unbalanced when you are stressed. This is due to the nervous system's response to anxiety. When you are worried or scared your body begins to tense and then relaxes. If, however, your mixed anxiety depressive disorder is recurring and you experience these symptoms frequently you could be diagnosed with an anxiety disorder.

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

You may be more prone to anxiety if you suffer from high blood pressure or heart issues. It is important to manage these medical conditions to lower your risk. If you suffer from these conditions, be sure to tell your therapist.

Experiences that are traumatizing, like a car crash or surgery may also increase the risk of anxiety. A recurring medical condition like asthma or an ongoing health issue, such as diabetes, can 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. You can also take supplements to help calm your mind and body.

5. Sweating

Anxiety is a term used to describe for a whole cluster of daunting feelings that can make your heart race, your stomach upset and your muscles tense. These symptoms alone aren't enough to trigger anxiety disorder but when they become chronic, it can become a problem. There are also chills, sweating and other physical symptoms that prompt you to seek medical help.

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, sweating is a common physical sign of anxiety disorders. When your body's fight-or flight response begins, it boosts the rate of blood circulation to prepare you best med for social anxiety disorder fighting or escape. This increase in heart rate may make you feel faint or 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.

This imbalance may cause the feeling of not being breathing, which is called dyspnea. It's an indication that your anxiety has become too intense to manage.

Your healthcare provider will determine if you have an anxiety disorder by evaluating your symptoms and how they impact your daily life. They'll begin by asking about your previous experiences and your current concerns. They may also conduct tests to identify other health issues that may be causing your symptoms, like bloodwork and imaging scanners. In certain instances they may suggest medications to alleviate your symptoms, including strong antiperspirants made of aluminium, nerve blocker drugs or botulinum toxin type A (Botox) injections that target the sweat glands. Alternative treatments include psychotherapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, and relaxation techniques such as yoga or meditation.