Anxiety Body Symptoms
Everybody experiences anxiety at some point especially when confronted with anxiety or fear. But constant anxiety can lead to an increase in physical symptoms.
When you're scared or stressed your heart rate and breathing will increase. Fuel and blood flow through the muscles in case you have to flee from danger.
Tingling
If you are aware of a threat your nervous system triggers an arousal of anxiety. It releases hormones and chemicals like adrenaline to increase blood circulation, increase oxygen levels, and help you respond more quickly and efficiently. This is the body's natural response to life or death situations. It's designed to protect you. However, many of us feel worried about things that don't necessarily pose a threat, or may even be beneficial. The constant uptick in stress hormones and other physical manifestations of anxiety can be physically and mentally draining.
The most common sign of anxiety is a feeling throughout your body. You might feel it in your arms, legs or in your chest, feet, or. It could also extend toward your head and cause a headache. It can also occur when you sit, lie or stand in the same place for a prolonged period of time. It could result from nutritional deficiency or nerve damage. It can also be caused by compression such as a compressed spine cord or pinched nerve system.
The sweating can also be a sign of anxiety. According to NIMH the body pumps extra water to the sweat glands during times of anxiety or on edge. This can cause you to feel cold in your feet and hands because the body is removing blood to protect its major organs.
Anxiety is often accompanied by the feeling of constant fatigue and exhaustion. It is possible that you are suffering from anxiety because of a constant fight-or-flight response or perhaps you are experiencing difficulties sleeping. A doctor or mental health expert can provide suggestions on how you can get better sleep, such as adopting healthy habits and avoiding caffeine and alcohol at night.
Weakness
The body's fight or flight response could be activated when you experience fear or
anxiety symptoms at night. That's when your brain signals the sympathetic nervous system to release hormones like adrenaline. This increases the heart rate and permits blood to flow faster to your big muscles so you can run away or fend off a threat. In time, however this constant state of mind can weaken your muscles and cause you to feel weak.
The tight muscles can be painful and lead to a variety of physical ailments, including headaches, aches and pains. For example, when you're startled or anxious, your body tenses up and if this happens repeatedly it can cause tension headaches. Muscles in the neck and shoulder that are tight can also trigger migraines.
A tummyache can be a sign you're stressed. Your gastrointestinal system is directly connected to your emotions, and those who experience anxiety are more likely to suffer from digestive problems such as constipation, stomachaches, and diarrhea.
Weakness can also be a symptom of anxiety because it can affect the immune system, which increases your vulnerability to infections. A prolonged period of high levels stress hormones, similar to the ones experienced by people suffering from
separation anxiety disorder symptoms in adults, can reduce the immune system's ability to fight off germs.
Dr. Barsky says that the first step to identify and managing anxiety is to stop, look at your situation, and take action. If you are able to identify that your physical
symptoms of anxiety disorders are a result of being in a state of constant stress and worry, then you can take steps to break the cycle. "Distract yourself," says the expert, adding that even things as simple as watering plants or putting a jigsaw together can help.
Lightheadedness
Anxiety can cause you to feel dizzy, unbalanced or feel like the world is spinning. It can be a troubling feeling and could also make it difficult for you to continue getting active, going out or doing things that you like. Vertigo is a term used to describe dizziness that is caused by anxiety. However, it could be a sign of an inner ear problem like Benign Peripheral Constant Dizziness (BPPV).
The body's "fight or flight" stress response releases a flood of chemicals and hormones into the bloodstream to prepare for threats. This raises the heart rate, increases breathing, and alters
how Reduce anxiety symptoms much oxygen is circulating to the brain. This may cause a brief feeling of lightheadedness. That's why you might feel it before giving a speech or when you are in a busy room. If your anxiety is chronic and you feel this way without a reason, then it could be an indication of an anxiety disorder.
The anxiety-induced dizziness can persist for the entire the day or more and is known as Chronic Subjective Dizziness or Persistent Postural-Perceptual Dizziness (PPPD). If you have a medical condition that causes this, it is recommended to consult your doctor for the proper diagnosis.
If you don't have any health issues however you feel dizzy when you are anxious and stressed, you can settle to relax by focusing on one point or breathing deeply. This is how ballet dancers get relief from this type of dizziness while dancing. If this doesn't help, you can always call your family or a friend to discuss your anxiety and how they can help you. This will ease your symptoms and prevent them from spiraling out-of-control.
Mouth dryness
When you are feeling anxious it is likely that you will experience changes in your breathing and heart rate. As part of the fight or flight response that your body produces, it releases stress hormones adrenaline and cortisol which raise your heart rate to get more oxygen into your bloodstream to enable you to react to threats. But, if you suffer from chronic anxiety the constant release of stress hormones can cause long-term health effects. For example, it may cause your digestion to change in ways that affect your physical health like stomach pains, bloating or diarrhea.
Stress hormones can make you feel exhausted or breathless. This can happen when you're in an extremely stressful situation, such as during an anxiety attack or when you're preparing for an important event. But, it could occur when you're feeling constantly anxious, with no apparent reason.
These feelings can make you feel nauseated or sick to your stomach, and it's normal for people suffering from anxiety to have digestive issues. According to the APA those who experience these symptoms frequently should seek out a mental health professional.
You're not the only one experiencing anxiety. If you're worried about how you're feeling, talk to an GP or therapist. They can determine if your symptoms are related to a specific issue or if you suffer from an anxiety condition. They can also provide details and suggestions on how to manage your
general anxiety symptoms. This might include recommending certain medications or therapies, such as cognitive therapy for behavioural problems (CBT). Stay active and get enough sleep. Relaxation exercises such as guided imagery and deep breathing can assist to reduce symptoms.
Tension
Anxiety can cause the body to feel tense. It can cause pain. This is because the brain sends signals to other parts of the body that tell them to prepare for the possibility of a fight or flight. This can result in a knot in the stomach muscles, and a feeling of stomach pain. This is not something to ignore as it can lead to serious digestive problems such as irritable bowel syndrome, or sores in the stomach lining, also known as ulcers.
Heart palpitations are a common sign. They are fast and irregular heartbeats. This occurs when stress hormones cortisol and adrenaline are released into the bloodstream. These hormones can boost the speed of heartbeat and also increase the amount of oxygen that circulates through the body. The body doesn't need to be on constant alert, and when it is always in this state, it will become weak and exhausted.
bad anxiety symptoms can also cause sweating, cold hands and legs and lightheadedness. These are due to the increase in blood flow to the major organs as well as the muscles. This is a part of the fight or flee response, which prepares your body for a potentially dangerous situation. It can be triggered by actual dangers or by just thinking about them. The amygdala is an area of the mind that controls emotional responses. It can also react to fears and cause these physical sensations.
Breathing quickly and shallowly can also cause anxiety symptoms to worsen. This is known as hyperventilation, and can disrupt the balance of carbon dioxide and oxygen in the bloodstream according to the U.S. National Library of Medicine. This can cause feeling dizzy and tingling on the feet and hands.