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. This can include a feeling of tension in the muscles, restlessness and stomach problems.

A psychiatrist, psychologist or therapist will employ screening tools to determine whether you have an anxiety disorder. They will also ask about your medical history and conduct tests to rule out other health conditions that may cause similar symptoms.

1. Headaches

Many people feel anxious from time time. However, this is different from being diagnosed with an anxiety disorder, which is when the feelings are more frequent or do not disappear. Anxiety can also affect your daily life and cause you to avoid social situations.

Headaches are a typical physical symptom associated with anxiety. They can range from the normal tension headache2 up to a full-blown migraine in some people. Many people tense up their muscles as part of a fight-or-flight reaction, and holding them in a rigid way for a prolonged duration can cause pain.

Lightheadedness or dizziness is another physical sign of anxiety. This could be caused by rapid heart rate, hyperventilating or an amalgamation of the two. It can also be an indication of a serious medical condition like heart disease, so it is important to be checked out by your doctor.

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

You might experience more severe symptoms if your stressed and are having trouble sleeping. Try to relax before bed and follow your routine to rest better. Exercise can be beneficial. A vigorous aerobic workout can release brain chemicals that can reduce stress and improve your mood, and it can help you fall asleep easier. Consult your physician 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 result in persistent discomfort. Your muscles might ache or your stomach may feel a bit sluggish, or you could experience diarrhea. The digestive system of your body can be affected by the constant release of stress hormones and this can lead to constipation, bloating or irritable bowel syndrome.

It is possible to experience stomach problems with any type of anxiety disorder, but those who suffer from panic disorders are more likely to suffer from these issues. According to the American Psychiatric Association, panic attacks are sudden feelings or a fear of imminent death. They can happen in specific situations or without any reason. It could feel like you're having an attack on your heart or you're unable to breathe, or you might experience chest pain or a rapid heartbeat.

Chronic what anxiety disorder feels like can increase your risk of other health issues as well. The hormones that cause anxiety symptoms help us to respond to a danger, but if we're constantly on alert our immune system may be affected. This can make you more vulnerable to catching the common cold and other diseases.

Your doctor can diagnose anxiety disorders through physical examination and a discussion about your symptoms. Before diagnosing anxiety, they can rule out other causes of anxiety disorder like heart disease and thyroid problems. A mental health professional will also be able to provide assistance and assist in managing your symptoms. They can help you learn techniques for relaxation and work through any underlying traumas or negative experiences which could have triggered anxiety. They can also help you in finding the appropriate treatment for you. Ask your doctor for a referral or look up online directories of therapists to find an anxiety specialist.

3. Muscle tension

While the majority of people know that a racing heart and hands that feel jittery are signs of anxiety, a lot of people don't realize that tension in the muscles is a sign of anxiety disorders like generalized anxiety disorder physical symptoms disorder (GAD) as well as social anxiety disorder (SAD) or panic disorder, or even specific fears. If a person is experiencing these symptoms frequently, they can lose their mobility and experience persistent pain in their back, neck and shoulders.

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

If a serious threat is present, your adrenal glands churn out hormones that accelerate how fast your heart beats, so that it can pump more blood to the massive muscles in your legs and arms in case you need to escape or fight the threat. These increased heart rates also boost how quickly your lungs are filled with oxygen. The combination of stress and hyperventilation could make you feel lightheaded or dizzy.

If you suffer from an anxiety disorder, however your body isn't able to its normal state of rest between stress reactions. You feel anxious all the while due to your anxiety disorder, which is why you keep your sympathetic nervous system on high alert. This leads to the chronic 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

If you're an anxious person, you may often feel dizzy and out of balance. This is due to the nervous system's response to anxiety. Your body tenses up when you think of something that worries or scares you, but then relaxes after the threat has passed. If you are experiencing these symptoms often and you feel your anxiety is chronic you could be suffering from an anxiety disorder.

When you're worried on a regular basis it can be difficult to focus or sleep enough. According to the Cleveland Clinic, it can also cause your body to suffer and you could gain weight. Anxiety also has a major effect on your menstrual cycle. According to the American Psychological Association, anxiety can cause you to skip your menstrual cycle or experience irregular menstrual cycles by altering hormones that cause ovulation.

High blood pressure or heart disease can increase your risk of anxiety, so it's important to get these medical problems under control to lower your risk. If you suffer from these conditions, be sure to inform your therapist.

A traumatic experience like a car crash or surgery can also increase the risk of anxiety. A chronic medical condition, such as asthma or a chronic anxiety disorder health issue, such as diabetes, can create anxiety. There are solutions for anxiety disorders anxiety. Psychotherapy or talk therapy such as cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) can be helpful. CBT teaches you how to transform negative thoughts and behaviors that cause anxiety to positive ones. You can also learn to use relaxation techniques, such as meditation or deep breathing. Additionally, there are supplements you can take to relax your body and mind.

5. Sweating

Anxiety is a broad term for a whole cluster of threatening feelings that can make your heart beat faster and your stomach ache, as well as your muscles tight. Most of the time, these feelings aren't enough to cause anxiety disorder--but when they're chronic they can become out of control. There are also sweating, chills or other physical symptoms which make you seek medical help.

According to the National Institute of Mental Health The National Institute of Mental Health, sweating is a frequent physical manifestation of anxiety disorders. When your body's "fight-or-flight" response kicks in, it increases the speed of blood circulation to prepare you for the fight. The increased 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 also cause a feeling of not being able to breathe, which is called dyspnea. It's a sign that your anxiety is becoming too overwhelming to manage.

Your doctor will determine if you have an anxiety disorder by evaluating your symptoms and how they affect your daily life. They'll begin by asking about your past experiences and your current concerns. They might also conduct tests to identify other health issues that may be contributing to your symptoms, such as bloodwork and imaging scanners. In some instances they may recommend medication to help ease your symptoms, such as strong antiperspirants that contain aluminium, nerve-blocking drugs, or botulinum toxin type A (Botox) injections around the sweat glands. Alternative treatments include cognitive behavioral therapy, psychotherapy and techniques for relaxation such as meditation or yoga.