The Three Greatest Moments In Anxiety Disorder Physical Symptoms History

Physical Symptoms of Anxiety Disorder

Every person experiences anxiety at some point, but when anxiety becomes a condition it can cause physical as well as emotional symptoms. This can include a feeling of restlessness, muscle tension and stomach issues.

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

1. Headaches

Many people have anxiety from time to times. An anxiety disorder occurs when these feelings become constant or frequent. Anxiety can also interfere with your everyday life or cause you to avoid social situations.1

The most frequent physical sign of anxiety is headaches. They can range from the normal tension headache2 up to a full-blown migraine in some people. This is due to the fact that many people tighten their muscles as part of the fight-or-flight response, and holding those muscles for prolonged periods of time can cause pain.3

Lightheadedness or dizziness is another physical symptom of anxiety. This could be caused by rapid heart rate, hyperventilating, or a combination. It can also be an indication of a major medical condition like heart disease, and it's important to get checked by your doctor.

You may also feel weak, particularly in your legs or arms. This could be a sign of stress. This is because your nervous system releases cortisol and adrenaline which help you react to a danger by speeding up your heartbeat and preparing the entire body for an attack. However, over time, those hormones can have a negative effect on your health, and could cause you to feel shakey or weak. You may also feel dizzy, weak, or weak.

If you are having trouble getting enough rest due to anxiety, it can make your symptoms worse. Try to relax before bed and follow an established routine so that you can get more rest. Exercise can be beneficial. Aerobic exercise can release brain chemicals that can reduce stress and improve your mood. It can aid in falling asleep more easily. Talk to your doctor if you are still struggling to sleep.

2. Stomach problems

The body tightens up when you are anxious, and if you have chronic anxiety, it can cause constant pain. There may be stomach discomfort, muscle pain or diarrhea. Stress hormones can also affect the digestive system, leading to constipation or irritable bowel syndrome.

People suffering from panic disorders are at greater chance of developing stomach problems. Panic attacks are sudden, intense feelings of fear or imminent doom that can occur in certain situations or for no reason, according to the American Psychiatric Association. You may feel like you're experiencing an attack of the heart or that you're not breathing, and you may experience chest pain and a fast heartbeat.

Long-term anxiety may also increase your chances of developing other health problems. The fight-or-flight hormones that cause anxiety symptoms aid us in responding to threats, but if you're on high alert all the time your immune system could be affected. This can make you more susceptible to common colds, and other illnesses.

Your doctor can diagnose anxiety disorders by conducting an examination of your body and an interview regarding your symptoms. Before diagnosing anxiety, they'll determine if there are other causes such as heart disease and thyroid problems. A mental health professional will also be able to offer you support and help manage your symptoms. They can assist you in learning relaxation techniques and help you work through any underlying negative or traumatic experiences that may have caused anxiety. They can also help you find a treatment option 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 can be a sign of anxiety disorders such as generalized anxiety disorder or social anxiety disorder panic disorder, and certain phobias. If someone is suffering from these symptoms frequently they may lose their range of motion and feel constant discomfort in their neck, back and shoulders.

Tense muscles are a common symptom of anxiety disorder because the body's fight-or flight response triggers a cascade of reactions that trigger us to physically react to perceived threats. A moderate level of anxiety triggers these responses as part our instinctual survival instinct however, they can also cause long-term muscle issues when they happen frequently or over a prolonged period of time.

If a risk is present the adrenal glands produce hormones that speed up the rate of your heartbeat, so that more blood is pumped to your large muscles in your legs or arms in the event you have to escape or fight. These increased heart rates also increase the speed of your lungs filling with oxygen. This combination of increased stress and hyperventilation could cause you to feel dizzy or lightheaded.

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

4. Dizziness

If you're an anxious person you might feel dizzy and out of balance. This is because of 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 once the threat passes. If you are experiencing these symptoms often and your anxiety is chronic it could be that you suffer from an anxiety disorder.

If you're constantly stressed frequently, it can be hard to concentrate or sleep enough. It also wreaks havoc on your body, and could cause you to gain weight, as per the Cleveland Clinic. Anxiety also has a big influence on the menstrual cycle. It's because it could cause you to skip or experience irregular menstrual cycles because it affects the release of hormones that trigger ovulation, as per the American Psychological Association.

You are more prone to anxiety if you suffer from high blood pressure or heart problems. It's important to control these medical conditions to decrease your risk. Inform your therapist if you suffer from any of these ailments.

Other things that can increase the risk of anxiety are traumatic events, such as being in a car crash or having surgery. A chronic medical condition, such as asthma or an ongoing health issue, such as diabetes, can also create anxiety. The good news is that there are treatments which can alleviate anxiety issues. They include psychotherapy or talk therapy, for instance cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which helps you turn negative thoughts and behaviors that trigger anxiety into positive ones. You can also learn relaxation techniques, such as meditation and deep breathing. You can supplement your diet with supplements to relax your mind and body.

5. Sweating

Anxiety is a term that covers an array of emotions that can cause your heart to beat and your stomach to become upset and your muscles to tighten. Oftentimes, these feelings don't constitute an anxiety disorders, but if they're persistent and get out of hand. There are also sweating, chills and other physical symptoms that prompt you to seek medical attention.

According to the National Institute of Mental Health sweating is a typical physical sign of anxiety disorders. When your body's fight-or flight response begins, it boosts the rate of blood circulation to prepare you for fighting or escape. This increase 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 also lead to the feeling of not being able to breathe or breathe, which is known as dyspnea. This is a sign your anxiety has become too intense to manage.

Your doctor will determine if you suffer from anxiety disorders by analyzing your symptoms and how they impact your daily routine. They'll start by asking you about your previous experiences and your current concerns. They may also conduct tests to look for other health issues that may be causing the symptoms, such as bloodwork and imaging scans. In some instances, they may suggest medications to ease your symptoms. They can recommend strong antiperspirants with aluminium in them and other drugs that block nerves, or Botox injections in the sweat glands. Alternative treatments include psychotherapy, cognitive behavior therapy and relaxation techniques like meditation or yoga.