20 Myths About Anxiety Disorder Physical Symptoms: Dispelled
Physical Symptoms of Anxiety Disorder
Although everyone experiences anxiety from time to time 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 psychologist, psychiatrist or therapist will employ screening tools to determine if you suffer from anxiety disorders. They will also inquire about your medical history, and run tests to rule other health conditions that may cause similar symptoms.
1. Headaches
The majority of people experience anxiety occasionally. An anxiety disorder is when these symptoms are continuous or more frequent. Anxiety can also interfere with your daily routine or cause you to avoid social situations.1
One of the most common physical symptoms of anxiety is headaches. They can range from a tension headache2 up to a complete migraine in some individuals. This is because many people tighten their muscles in response to the fight or flight response and holding their muscles rigidly for long periods of time can cause pain.3
Another physical sign of anxiety is dizziness or lightheadedness. This can be due to rapid heart rate, hyperventilating, or the combination of both. It could be a sign you suffer from a serious medical condition like heart disease. Consult your doctor to determine.
You might be feeling weak, especially in your arms or legs. This could be a sign of stress. This is because the nervous system releases cortisol and adrenaline, which help you respond to threats by speeding up your heartbeat and preparing your body for an attack. Over time, however, those hormones can have the opposite effect on your health and can make you feel shaky and weak or dizzy.
If you are having trouble getting enough sleep because of anxiety, it can cause your symptoms to get worse. Try to unwind before bed and adhere to a regular routine to rest better. Exercise can be beneficial. Aerobic exercise can release brain chemicals that reduce stress and improve your mood, and it can aid in falling asleep more easily. If you are still having difficulty sleeping, speak to your doctor about possible treatment options.
2. Stomach problems
Anxiety can cause your body to tighten up and long-term anxiety can lead to persistent pain. There may be stomach discomfort, muscle pain or diarrhea. Stress hormones can affect your digestive system, causing constipation or irritable bowel syndrome.
People who suffer from panic disorders are at greater chance of developing stomach problems. According to the American Psychiatric Association, panic attacks are sudden sensations or a fear of imminent death. They can occur in specific circumstances or without a reason. You might feel as if you're experiencing an attack of the heart or that you're not breathing, and you may experience chest pain or a rapid heartbeat.
Long-term anxiety may increase the risk of other health problems. The hormones that trigger anxiety symptoms allow us to respond to a danger and if we're alert, our immune system can be affected. This can make you more vulnerable to getting the common cold and other ailments.
Your doctor is able to diagnose anxiety disorders with a physical examination and a conversation about your symptoms. Before diagnosing anxiety, they will rule out other causes, such as 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 relaxation techniques and work through any underlying traumas or negative experiences that could have triggered anxiety. They can also assist you in finding the right treatment for you. Ask your doctor to refer you to one or look up directories online for an anxiety specialist.
3. Muscle tension
Many people are aware that a twitchy pulse and a hand that is jittery are indications of anxiety. But, they don't realize that chronic muscle tension can be a sign of anxiety disorders like generalized anxiety disorder or social anxiety disorder panic disorder, and specific fears. If a person is experiencing these symptoms on a regular basis they may lose their range of motion and experience persistent pain in the neck, back and shoulders.
Tense muscles are a common sign of anxiety disorders because the body's fight or flight response triggers a cascade of responses that trigger us to physically react to perceived threats. Moderate anxiety levels elicit these responses as part of our survival instincts however, they can also cause long-term problems with muscles when they happen frequently or over a prolonged 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 to ensure it can pump more blood to the large muscles in your arms and legs in case you need to flee or fight threat. These increased heart rates also increase the speed of your lungs filling with oxygen. This combination of heightened stress and hyperventilation can cause you feel dizzy or lightheaded.
When you have an anxiety disorder, however your body isn't able to its normal state of relaxation between stress-related responses. You are constantly anxious throughout the day due to the anxiety disorder, and you keep your sympathetic nervous system on alert. According to the American Psychological Association, this can lead to chronic muscle tension and lasting pain. It can also affect your digestive system causing stomachaches, constipation, diarrhea, or irritable bowel syndrome.
4. Dizziness
You might feel dizzy or off-balance when you are stressed. The reason is to be due to the nervous system's response to anxiety. Your body tenses up whenever you think about something that scares or worries you, but then relaxes after the threat has passed. However, if your anxiety is recurring and you experience these symptoms regularly you may be diagnosed with an anxiety disorder.
It is difficult to fall asleep or concentrate when you're always worried. According to the Cleveland Clinic, it can also cause your body to suffer and you may gain weight. Anxiety can also have a significant impact on your menstrual cycle. This is because it can cause you to skip or have irregular periods because it affects the release of hormones that trigger ovulation, as per the American Psychological Association.
You may be more prone to anxiety if you suffer from high blood pressure or heart problems. It is essential to manage these medical conditions to lower your risk. If you have these conditions, make sure to inform your therapist.
Traumatic experiences such as a car crash or surgery can also increase your risk of anxiety. A chronic medical condition such as asthma or a chronic health issue like diabetes can cause anxiety. The good news is that there are solutions that can ease anxiety issues. They include psychotherapy, also known as talk therapy, like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) that helps you turn negative anxiety-inducing thoughts and behaviors into positive ones. You can also learn relaxation techniques such as deep breathing and meditation. You can also take supplements to calm your mind and body.
5. Sweating
Anxiety is a broad term for a range of threatening feelings that can make your heart beat faster, your stomach upset and your muscles tight. These symptoms alone aren't enough to cause anxiety disorder, but when they become chronic, they can cause problems. You might also experience chills, sweating and other physical symptoms which prompt you to seek medical help.
Sweating is a typical physical sign of anxiety disorders, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. When your body's "fight-or-flight" response kicks in it increases the rate of blood circulation to prepare you for battle. The increased heart rate could cause you to feel faint or dizzy. Breathing faster than panic anxiety disorder --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 may also cause the feeling of not being breathing properly and is known as dyspnea. It's a sign that your anxiety is getting too overwhelming to manage.
Your healthcare provider will determine if there is an anxiety disorder by looking at your symptoms and how they affect your daily routine. You'll be asked about previous experiences and current concerns. They might also conduct tests to identify other health issues that may be causing the symptoms, such as bloodwork and imaging scans. In some cases they may recommend medication to help ease your symptoms, such as strong antiperspirants containing aluminium, nerve-blocking drugs or botulinum toxin type A (Botox) injections that target the sweat glands. Alternative treatments include psychotherapy, cognitive behavior therapy, and relaxation techniques such as yoga or meditation.