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Physical Symptoms of Anxiety Disorder

Everyone feels anxious at times, but when anxiety becomes a condition it can cause physical and emotional symptoms. These include a sense of anxiety, muscle tension and stomach issues.

A psychiatrist, psychologist or therapist will use screening tools to determine whether 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

Many people feel anxious at times. But it’s not the same as having 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.

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

Another physical symptom of anxiety is dizziness or lightheadedness. It could be due to an increased heart rate, hyperventilating or an amalgamation of the two. It could also be a sign of a serious medical condition like heart disease, so it’s crucial to have your heart checked by your doctor.

You may also feel weak, particularly in your legs or arms. This can be a sign of stress. This is because the nervous system releases adrenaline and cortisol, which help you respond to a threat by increasing your heart rate and preparing your body for a possible attack. In time the hormones can have a negative effect on your health, making you feel weak, shaky or dizzy.

If you are having trouble getting enough sleep due to anxiety, it could make your symptoms worse. Try to unwind before bed and adhere to an established routine to rest better. Exercise can also be beneficial. Exercise can help. Talk to your doctor if you are still struggling to sleep.

2. Stomach problems

The body is tense in response to anxiety and if you suffer from chronic anxiety, it can cause constant pain. Your muscles may ache, your stomach can 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 experience stomach issues. Panic attacks are sudden, intense feelings of fear or imminent doom that happen in specific circumstances or without explanation, according to the American Psychiatric Association. It could 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.

Chronic anxiety can increase the chances of developing other health problems. The hormones that trigger the symptoms of anxiety help us respond to a threat and if you’re constantly in high alert throughout the day your immune system may suffer. This could make you more susceptible to catching the common cold and other ailments.

Your doctor can diagnose anxiety disorders by conducting a physical examination and a discussion about your symptoms. They can rule out other causes, like thyroid or heart problems prior to determining you have anxiety. A mental health professional can provide support and assistance to manage your symptoms. They can help you learn relaxation techniques and work through any underlying negative or traumatic experiences that could have triggered your anxiety. They can also assist you in locating the best treatment for you. Ask your doctor to refer you to one or search online directories for an anxiety specialist.

3. Muscle tension

While the majority of people know that a racing heart and jittery hands are signs of anxiety, many people do not realize that chronic muscle tension can be a physical indicator of anxiety disorders such as generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) or social anxiety disorder (SAD) or panic disorder, or certain phobias. If someone is suffering from these symptoms frequently they could lose their range of motion and experience persistent discomfort in their back, neck and shoulders.

Tense muscles may be an indication of anxiety disorders due to the body’s fight or flight response triggers a range of responses that cause us to physically react when we feel threatened. A moderate level of anxiety triggers these responses as part of our natural survival instinct however, they can also cause long-term problems with muscles when they are frequent or over a prolonged period of time.

When a real danger is present, your adrenal glands produce hormones that boost the speed of your heartbeat, so that more blood is pumped to the muscles of your legs or arms in the event you have to flee or fight. These increased heart rates also boost how quickly your lungs fill with oxygen. This combination of increased stress and hyperventilation can make you feel dizzy or lightheaded.

When you have an anxiety disorder, your body isn’t able to return to its normal state of rest between stress responses. You feel anxious throughout the day due to the anxiety disorder, and you keep your sympathetic nervous system in high alert. This leads to the chronic tension of your muscles, which could eventually result in long-term pain, according to the American Psychological Association. It can also affect the digestive system causing stomachaches, constipation, diarrhea or irritable-bowel syndrome.

4. Dizziness

If you’re a stressed-out person you might be shaky and unbalanced. This is because of the nervous system’s response to anxiety. When you are anxious or worried your body tightens and then it relaxes. If you are experiencing these symptoms often and you feel your anxiety is chronic it could be that you suffer from an anxiety disorder.

It is difficult to fall asleep or concentrate when you are always worried. It also causes havoc to your body and can cause you to gain weight, as per the Cleveland Clinic. Anxiety can also have a significant impact on your menstrual cycles. According to the American Psychological Association, anxiety can cause you skip periods or have irregular cycles due to altering hormones that cause ovulation.

Having high blood pressure or heart disease can make you more prone to anxiety, and it’s essential to get these medical issues under control to lower your risk. Talk to your therapist if have any of these conditions.

Traumatic experiences like a car crash or surgery may also increase your risk of anxiety. Anxiety can be caused by a chronic illness, such as diabetes or asthma or a chronic medical illness. There are treatments for anxiety disorders. They include psychotherapy or talk therapy, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) which helps you turn negative thoughts and behaviors that trigger anxiety into positive ones. You can also learn to use relaxation techniques, like meditation or deep breathing. You can also take supplements to calm your body and mind.

5. Sweating

Anxiety is a term used to describe for a variety of threatening feelings that can make your heart beat faster and your stomach ache, as well as your muscles tense. These emotions alone aren’t enough to trigger anxiety disorder but when they become chronic, it could be a problem. You might also experience chills, sweating and other physical symptoms that prompt you to seek medical treatment.

The habit of sweating is a common manifestation of anxiety disorders according to the National Institute of Mental Health. When your body’s fight or flight response is activated, it increases the rate that your blood circulates to prepare you for fight or escape. This boost 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.

Dyspnea is the feeling that you are unable to breathe. It’s an indication that your anxiety is becoming too intense to manage.

Your healthcare provider will assess you for an anxiety disorder by looking at your symptoms and the way they interfere with your daily routine. They’ll begin by asking you about your experiences in the past and current concerns. They may also conduct tests to check for other health problems that could be the cause of your symptoms, like imaging scanners and blood tests. In certain instances, they might recommend medications to relieve the symptoms. They can recommend strong antiperspirants that contain aluminium and other drugs that block nerves and Botox injections in the sweat glands. Alternative treatments include cognitive behavior therapy, psychotherapy, and relaxation techniques such as yoga or meditation.