Physical Symptoms of Anxiety Disorder

Everyone experiences anxiety from time to time, when anxiety becomes an illness, it can trigger physical symptoms, as well as emotional ones. This can include a feeling of restlessness, muscle tension and stomach problems.

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

1. Headaches

Many people feel anxious from time to time. However, this is different from having an anxiety disorder, which is when the feelings are more frequent or do not disappear. 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. This is due to the fact that many people tense their bodies in response to the fight or flight response and holding their muscles for prolonged periods of time can cause pain.3

Dizziness or lightheadedness is another symptom of physical anxiety. This could be caused by an increased heart rate, hyperventilating, or an amalgamation of the two. It can also be an indication of a major medical issue like heart disease, so it's crucial to have your heart examined by your doctor.

You might also feel weak, particularly in your legs or arms. This can be a sign of anxiety. This is because the nervous system releases adrenaline and cortisol which aid in responding to threats by speeding up your heartbeat and preparing your body for a potential attack. As time passes the hormones can have a negative impact on your health, making you feel weak, shaky or dizzy.

You might experience more severe symptoms if you are stressed and are having trouble sleeping. Try to relax before bed and follow a regular routine so that you can rest better. Exercise can also be helpful. A vigorous aerobic workout can release brain chemicals that reduce stress and boost your mood. It can help you fall asleep easier. Talk to your doctor if you are still having trouble sleeping.

2. Stomach issues

anxiety disorders psychology definition can cause the body to tighten up and long-term anxiety can cause pain that persists for a long time. Your muscles might ache and your stomach may feel a bit sluggish, or you could develop diarrhea. Your digestive system may be affected by the constant release of stress hormones, which can cause constipation, bloating, or irritable bowel syndrome.

There are stomach issues that can be experienced in any anxiety disorder, but people with panic disorders are more likely to suffer from stomach issues. Panic attacks are sudden, intense feelings of terror or impending doom that happen in specific circumstances or for no reason according to the American Psychiatric Association. It could feel like you're experiencing a heart attack or that you cannot breathe. You may also experience chest pains and a rapid pulse.

Chronic anxiety can increase your risk of other health problems also. The hormones that cause anxiety symptoms allow us to respond to threats however, if we're always on high alert our immune system may be affected. This could make you more susceptible to common colds, and other ailments.

Your doctor can diagnose anxiety disorders by conducting a a physical exam and interviewing you about your symptoms. They can rule out any other reasons, such as thyroid or heart problems prior to determining you have anxiety. A mental health professional will be able to provide support and help manage your symptoms. They can help you learn techniques for relaxation and work through any underlying traumas or negative experiences which may have caused your anxiety. They can also help you identify a treatment plan that is appropriate for you. Ask your doctor to refer you, or look up directories online for an anxiety specialist.

3. Muscle tension

Many people are aware that a fast pulse and a jittery hand are indicators of anxiety. However, they do not realize that muscle tension could be a sign of anxiety disorders such as generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and specific fears. If a person is experiencing these symptoms regularly, they can lose their range of motion and experience persistent discomfort in their back, neck and shoulders.

Tense muscles are a typical manifestation of anxiety disorder since the body's fight-or-flight response triggers a chain of bodily reactions that trigger us to physically react to perceived threats. In moderate levels of anxiety, we trigger these responses as part our natural survival instinct however, they can also cause long-term problems with muscles when they are frequent or over a long period of time.

When there is a real danger your adrenal glands pump out hormones that speed up the speed at which your heart beats so that it can pump more blood to the massive muscles in your legs and arms in case you have to flee or fight the threat. The increased heart rate can increase the rate of your lungs filling with oxygen. This combination of increased stress and hyperventilation can make you feel dizzy or lightheaded.

If you suffer from an anxiety disorder,, your body can't return to its normal state of relaxation between stress reactions. You are constantly anxious all the while because of the anxiety disorder, and you keep your sympathetic nervous system on high alert. According to the American Psychological Association, this could lead to chronic muscle tension and long-term pain. It can also affect your digestive system, which could cause stomachaches constipation, diarrhea, or irritable bowel syndrome.

4. Dizziness

You might feel dizzy or off-balance if you are anxious. The reason is to relate to the nervous system's response to anxiety. Your body tenses up whenever you think about something that scares or worries you, and then it relaxes when the threat is gone. If, however, your anxiety and eating disorders is generalized anxiety disorder gad anxiety disorder a disability - Read More Here - chronic and you experience these symptoms regularly, you may be diagnosed with an anxiety disorder.

It is difficult to fall asleep or focus when you are always worried. It also wreaks havoc on your body and can cause you to gain weight, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Anxiety can also have an impact on your menstrual cycle. According to the American Psychological Association, anxiety can cause you to miss your periods or have irregular cycles by affecting hormones that induce ovulation.

Having high blood pressure or heart disease may make you more prone to anxiety, so it's important to get these medical issues under control to lower your risk. Talk to your therapist if suffer from any of these ailments.

Other factors that increase your risk of anxiety are traumatic events, such as being in a car accident or having surgery. A chronic medical condition, such as asthma or a chronic health issue, such as diabetes, can trigger anxiety disorder best medication. The good news is that there are solutions that can help with anxiety disorders. They include psychotherapy, also known as talk therapy, for instance cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) that helps you turn negative anxiety-inducing thoughts and behaviors into positive ones. You can also learn to practice relaxation techniques, like deep breathing or meditation. You can supplement your diet with supplements to relax your mind and body.

5. Sweating

Anxiety is a term that encompasses an array of emotions that can cause your heart to beat and your stomach to become upset and your muscles to become tight. These emotions alone aren't enough to cause anxiety disorder but when they become chronic, it can be a problem. You might also experience sweating, chills and other physical symptoms that cause 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 at which your blood circulates to prepare you for battle or escape. This increase in heart rate could cause you to feel dizzy or 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.

Dyspnea is a feeling that you can't breathe. It's a sign that your anxiety is becoming too intense to manage.

Your doctor will evaluate you for an anxiety disorder in light of your symptoms and the way they interfere with your daily life. They'll start by asking you about your past experiences and your current concerns. They may also conduct tests to identify other health problems that could be contributing to your symptoms, like imaging scanners and blood tests. In certain instances, they might recommend medications to ease your symptoms, such as powerful antiperspirants made of aluminium, nerve blocker medications or botulinum toxins type A (Botox) injections that target the sweat glands. Alternative treatments include cognitive behavioral therapy, psychotherapy and relaxation techniques like meditation or yoga.