Physical Symptoms of Anxiety Disorder

Every person experiences anxiety at some point however when anxiety turns into an illness, it can trigger physical and emotional symptoms. These include a feeling of restlessness, muscle tension and stomach problems.

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

1. Headaches

The majority of people experience what does anxiety disorder look like from time to time. An anxiety disorder is when these feelings become persistent or more frequent. Anxiety can also impact your daily life and cause you to avoid social situations.

Headaches are a typical physical symptom that is associated with anxiety. They can range from your typical tension headache2 to full-blown migraine in some people. This is because many people tense their bodies in response to the fight or flight response and securing those muscles for prolonged periods of time can cause pain.3

Dizziness or lightheadedness is another symptom of physical anxiety. It could be due to an increased heart rate, hyperventilating or the combination of both. It could also be an indication of a serious medical issue like heart disease, which is why it's important to get examined by your physician.

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 threats by speeding up your heartbeat and preparing your body for a possible attack. Over time, however, those hormones may have a negative effect on your health and could cause you to feel shakey, weak, or dizzy.

If you're having difficulty getting enough sleep because of anxiety, it could make your symptoms worse. Relax before going to bed and stick to your routine. This will allow you to get more sleep. Exercise is also helpful. Exercise can also aid. Consult your physician If you're still struggling to sleep.

2. Stomach issues

The body tenses up in response to anxiety and if you have chronic anxiety it can cause constant pain. You may experience stomach pain, muscle aches or diarrhea. Your gastrointestinal system can also be affected by the constant release of stress hormones, and this could lead to constipation, bloating or irritable bowel syndrome.

There are stomach issues that can be experienced when you suffer from any anxiety disorder, but people with panic disorders what are anxiety disorders/depression more likely to experience them. Panic attacks are sudden sensations of fear or imminent doom that occur in specific situations or for no reason according to the American Psychiatric Association. It could feel like you're experiencing an attack of the heart or that you can't breathe, and you might have chest pain and a fast heartbeat.

Long-term anxiety can increase your risk of other health issues as well. The hormones responsible for fighting or flight that cause the symptoms of anxiety assist us in responding to a threat however, if you're on high alert throughout the day, your immune system can be affected. This could make you more prone to catching the common cold and other ailments.

Your doctor can diagnose anxiety disorders through a an examination of your body and asking you about your symptoms. They can rule out any other causes, such as thyroid issues or heart disease prior to determining you have anxiety. A mental health professional can provide assistance and support to manage your symptoms. They can teach you relaxation techniques and help you deal with any trauma or negative experiences that might have led to anxiety. They can also aid you in locating the best medication for generalized anxiety disorder treatment for you. Ask your doctor for a referral or look up online directories of therapists to locate a specialist in anxiety.

3. Muscle tension

While the majority of people know that a racing heart and hands that are jittery are indicators of anxiety, many don't realize that muscle tension can be a physical indicator of anxiety disorders such as generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), social anxiety disorder (SAD), panic disorder, or certain phobias. If a person is experiencing these symptoms regularly they could lose their mobility and suffer from chronic pain in their back, neck and shoulders.

Tense muscles are an indication of anxiety disorders due to the body's fight or flight response triggers a range of reactions which trigger us to physically react when we perceive threats. A moderate level of anxiety triggers these reactions as part of our instinctual survival instinct, but they can cause long-term problems with muscles when they occur regularly or over a long period of time.

If a risk is present, your adrenal glands produce hormones that speed up the rate of your heartbeat to ensure that more blood is pumped to your muscles that are large in your arms or legs in the event you have to flee or fight. The increased heart rate can increase the speed at which your lungs fill with oxygen. The combination of increased stress and hyperventilation can make you feel lightheaded or dizzy.

If you suffer from an anxiety disorder,, your body can't return to its normal state of relaxation between stress responses. Your anxiety disorder causes you to feel anxious all the time which means that your sympathetic nervous system stays on high alert. This leads to the continuous tension in your muscles that may eventually lead to long-term pain, according to the American Psychological Association. It can also affect your digestive system, causing stomachaches diarrhea, constipation or irritable-bowel syndrome.

4. Dizziness

You might be shaky or unbalanced in the event of anxiety. The reason is to relate to the nervous system's response to anxiety. Your body is tense whenever you think about something that worries or scares you, and then it relaxes when the threat is gone. If you are experiencing these symptoms often and you feel your anxiety is chronic you could be suffering from an anxiety disorder.

If you're constantly stressed on a regular basis it can be difficult to concentrate or sleep enough. It also affects your body and can cause you to gain weight, according to the Cleveland Clinic. anxiety Disorder physical symptoms can also have a significant impact on your menstrual cycles. According to the American Psychological Association, anxiety can cause you to skip your menstrual cycle or have irregular cycles due to altering hormones that cause ovulation.

High blood pressure or heart disease can make you more prone to anxiety, which is why it's crucial to get these medical issues under control to reduce your risk. If you suffer from these conditions, make sure to tell your therapist.

A traumatic experience like a car accident or surgery can also increase your anxiety risk. Anxiety can be caused by a chronic illness such as diabetes or asthma or a chronic medical condition. The good news is that there are treatments which can alleviate anxiety disorders. Psychotherapy or talk therapy such as cognitive behavioral treatment (cbt for generalized anxiety disorder) 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 like deep breathing and meditation. You can supplement your diet with supplements to relax your body and mind.

5. Sweating

Anxiety is a term used to describe for a range of threatening feelings that can cause your heart to beat, your stomach upset and your muscles tight. Sometimes, these symptoms aren't enough to cause anxiety disorder, but when they're ongoing, they can become out of control. You might also experience chills, sweating and other physical symptoms which require medical help.

Sweating is a common physical sign of anxiety disorders, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. When your body's fight-or flight response begins, it boosts the rate that your blood circulates to prepare you for battle or escape. This boost in heart rate can cause you to feel exhausted and 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 could cause an uneasy feeling that you are not breathing properly and is known as dyspnea. This is a sign your anxiety has become too intense to manage.

Your doctor will evaluate your anxiety disorders in light of your symptoms and how they interfere with your daily activities. You'll be asked about your previous experiences as well as your current concerns. They might also conduct tests to check for other health issues that may be causing your symptoms, like imaging scanners and blood tests. In some instances, they may prescribe medications to alleviate the symptoms. These include powerful antiperspirants containing aluminium and other drugs that block nerves, or Botox injections around sweat glands. Alternative treatments include psychotherapy, cognitive therapy and relaxation techniques such as yoga or meditation.