Ask Me Anything: 10 Responses To Your Questions About Anxiety Disorder Physical Symptoms

Physical Symptoms of Anxiety Disorder

While everyone feels anxious from time to time If anxiety develops into a disorder it can cause physical symptoms as well as emotional ones. This can include a feeling of anxiety, muscle tension and stomach problems.

A psychologist, psychiatrist or therapist may use screening tools to determine if you suffer from an anxiety disorder. They will also ask you about your medical history, and perform tests to rule out any other health conditions that can cause similar symptoms.

1. Headaches

Most people feel anxious from time time. An anxiety Disorder specialist near me disorder is when these symptoms are continuous or more frequent. Anxiety can affect your daily routine or cause you to avoid social anxiety disorder cognitive behavioral therapy situations.1

The most frequent physical sign of anxiety are headaches. They can range from the average tension headache2 to a complete migraine in a few people. A lot of people tighten their muscles in a fight-or-flight reaction, and holding them in a rigid position for a long time can cause pain.

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

You may also feel weak in your legs or arms and arms, which could be a indication of anxiety. This is because the nervous system releases cortisol and adrenaline, which help you respond to a threat by increasing your heart rate and getting your body ready for an attack. Over time these hormones can have a negative effect on your health, causing you feel weak, shakey or dizzy.

If you are having trouble getting enough rest due to anxiety, it can make your symptoms worse. Relax before going to bed and stick to the same routine. This will help you get more sleep. Exercise can be beneficial. Exercise can also help. If you still have trouble sleeping, talk to your doctor about possible treatment options.

2. Stomach issues

Anxiety can cause your body to become tense and chronic anxiety may cause chronic pain. You may experience stomach discomfort, muscle pain or diarrhea. Your digestive system may be affected by the constant release of stress hormones, and this could lead to constipation, bloating, or IBS.

People who suffer from panic disorders are at an increased chance of developing stomach problems. Panic attacks are sudden sensations of fear or dread that can occur in certain situations or for no reason according to the American Psychiatric Association. You might feel as if you're experiencing a heart attack or that you cannot breathe. You might also experience chest pains, and an extremely rapid pulse.

Chronic anxiety can increase your risk of other health problems as well. The hormones that trigger anxiety symptoms help us to respond to threats and if we're on alert, our immune system can be affected. This can make you more susceptible to catching the common cold as well as other diseases.

Your doctor can diagnose anxiety disorders by conducting a an examination of your body and asking you about your symptoms. They will rule out other causes, like heart disease or thyroid problems before determining that you suffer from anxiety. A mental health professional will be able to offer you assistance and assist in managing your symptoms. They can assist you in learning techniques for relaxation and work through any traumas or negative experiences that might have contributed to your anxiety. They can also assist you in locating the best general anxiety disorder medication treatment for you. Ask your doctor to refer you to one or search online directories for an anxiety specialist.

3. Muscle tension

While most people know that a racing heart and hands that are jittery are indicators of anxiety, many don't realize that chronic muscle tension can be a physical indication of anxiety disorders such as generalized anxiety disorder symptoms anxiety disorder (GAD), social anxiety disorder causes anxiety disorder (SAD) or panic disorder, or even specific fears. If someone is suffering from these symptoms regularly they may lose their range of motion and experience persistent discomfort 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 series of reactions that cause us to physically react to perceived threats. A moderate level of anxiety triggers these responses as part our survival instincts however, they can also cause long-term problems with muscles when they happen frequently or over a long period of time.

When a real threat occurs your adrenal glands pump out hormones that increase the speed at which your heart beats so that it can pump more blood to the big muscles in your arms and legs in the event that you need to escape or fight the danger. Those increased heart rates also boost how quickly your lungs fill with oxygen. The combination of tension and hyperventilation could make you feel lightheaded or dizzy.

If you suffer from an anxiety disorder, however your body isn't able to return to its normal state of relaxation between stress reactions. The anxiety disorder causes you to feel anxious all the time, so your sympathetic nervous system remains on high alert. This causes the constant tensing of your muscles and can eventually cause long-term pain, according the American Psychological Association. It can also affect your digestive system, causing stomachaches constipation, diarrhea or irritable-bowel syndrome.

4. Dizziness

You may be shaky or unbalanced if you are anxious. This is due to the nervous system's response to anxiety. If you are stressed or worried, your body tenses and then it relaxes. If, however, your anxiety is recurring and you are experiencing these symptoms often you may be diagnosed with an anxiety disorder.

It can be difficult to fall asleep or focus when you are constantly worried. It also causes havoc to your body and may cause you to gain weight, as per the Cleveland Clinic. Anxiety can also have a significant impact on your menstrual cycle. That's because it can cause you to skip or experience irregular menstrual cycles because it affects the release of ovulation-inducing hormones, according to the American Psychological Association.

You can be more susceptible to anxiety if you have high blood pressure or heart problems. It is essential to manage these medical conditions to lower your risk. Talk to your therapist if suffer from any of these ailments.

Traumatic experiences such as a car crash or surgery may also increase your anxiety risk. generalized anxiety disorder therapies can be triggered by a chronic illness such as diabetes or asthma or a recurring medical illness. There are treatments for anxiety disorders. They include psychotherapy or talk therapy, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) which helps you transform negative anxiety-inducing thoughts and behaviors into positive ones. You can also learn relaxation techniques such as deep breathing and meditation. Additionally, there are supplements that you can take to calm your mind and body.

5. Sweating

Anxiety is a term that encompasses an array of emotions that can cause your heart to race and your stomach to ache and your muscles to get tighter. These feelings alone are not enough to cause anxiety disorders but when they become chronic, it could become a problem. You may also experience chills, sweating and other physical symptoms that prompt you to seek medical attention.

The habit of sweating is a common sign of anxiety disorders, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. When your body's fight-or flight response is activated, it increases the speed that your blood circulates to prepare you for fight or escape. This increase in 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.

This imbalance could also cause a feeling of not being able to breathe or breathe, which is known as dyspnea. It's an indication that your anxiety has become too severe to control.

Your doctor will evaluate your anxiety for a disorder by looking at your symptoms and how they impact your daily activities. You'll be asked about your previous experiences as well as your current concerns. They may also conduct tests to identify other health issues that may be causing them, like imaging scans and blood tests. In certain instances, they might recommend medications to alleviate your symptoms, such as strong antiperspirants containing aluminium, nerve-blocking drugs, or botulinum toxin type A (Botox) injections in the sweat glands. Alternative treatments include psychotherapy, cognitive behavioral therapy and relaxation techniques such as yoga or meditation.