Why No One Cares About Anxiety Disorder Physical Symptoms

Physical Symptoms of Anxiety Disorder

Everyone experiences anxiety at times When anxiety becomes an illness, it can trigger physical symptoms, as well as emotional ones. These include a feeling of restlessness, muscle tension and stomach issues.

A psychiatrist, psychologist 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 out other health conditions that can cause similar symptoms.

1. Headaches

Many people have anxiety from time to some point. However, this is different from being diagnosed with an anxiety disorder, which is when the symptoms are more frequent or don't disappear. Anxiety can also affect your daily life and make you avoid social situations.

One of the most common physical symptoms of anxiety is headaches. They can range from an typical tension headache2 to full-blown migraine in some people. This is because a lot of people tighten their muscles as part of their fight-or-flight response and securing those muscles in a rigid position for long periods of time can cause pain.3

Lightheadedness or dizziness is another physical symptom of anxiety. This could be caused by an increased heart rate, hyperventilating or the combination of both. It could also be an indication of a major medical problem such as heart disease, so it's crucial to have your heart examined by your doctor.

You might also feel weak, especially in your legs or arms. This could be a sign of anxiety. This is because the nervous system releases cortisol and adrenaline, which help you respond to threats by speeding up your heartbeat and prepare your body for an attack. As time passes, these hormones can have a negative impact on your health, causing you feel weak, shaky or dizzy.

If you have trouble getting enough sleep because of anxiety, it could make your symptoms worse. Relax before bed and follow a routine. This will allow you to get more rest. Exercise can also be helpful. Exercise can also help. Consult your physician if you are still having trouble sleeping.

2. Stomach issues

Anxiety can cause the body to tense up, and chronic anxiety can lead to persistent pain. Your muscles may ache, your stomach can feel a bit sluggish, or you could develop diarrhea. The digestive system of your body can be affected by the constant release of stress hormones, and this could lead to constipation, bloating or IBS.

People suffering from panic disorders are at an increased chance of developing stomach problems. According to the American Psychiatric Association, panic attacks are sudden sensations or a fear of imminent doom. They can happen in specific circumstances or without apparent reason. You might feel as if you're having a heart attack or that you're unable to breathe. You may also experience chest pains, and a rapid pulse.

Chronic anxiety increases your risk of other health problems as well. The fight-or-flight hormones that cause anxiety symptoms aid us in responding to a threat however, if you're on high alert all the time your immune system could suffer. This can increase your risk of contracting the common cold, and other illnesses.

Your doctor is able to diagnose anxiety disorders with an examination of your body and a conversation 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 can also offer support and help you manage your symptoms. They can help you learn relaxation techniques and assist you to deal with any trauma or negative experience that could have triggered anxiety. They can also help you determine the best treatment option that is suitable for you. Ask your doctor for a referral, or check online therapist directories to find an anxiety specialist.

3. Muscle tension

While most people know that a heart racing and jittery hands are signs of anxiety, many people do not realize that chronic tension in the muscles is a sign of anxiety disorders like generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), social anxiety disorder (SAD) or panic disorder, or specific phobias. If a person experiences these symptoms regularly, they may begin to lose their range of motion and suffer from constant pain in the neck, back, and shoulders.

Tense muscles are a typical manifestation of anxiety disorder since the body's fight or flight response triggers a cascade of reactions that trigger us to physically react to perceived threats. In  iampsychiatry.com  of anxiety, we trigger these reactions as part of our survival instincts, but they can lead to long-term muscle problems when they happen frequently or over a long period of time.

When there is a real danger, your adrenal glands churn out hormones that speed up how fast your heart beats so that it can pump more blood to the massive muscles in your arms and legs in case you have to flee or fight threat. These increased heart rates also increase the speed of your lungs filling with oxygen. The 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 rest between stress responses. The anxiety disorder makes you feel anxious all the time which means that your sympathetic nervous system remains in high alert. This causes the constant tension of your muscles, which may eventually lead to long-term pain, according the American Psychological Association. It can also affect your digestive system, which can cause stomach pain constipation, diarrhea, or irritable bowel syndrome.

4. Dizziness

You may feel dizzy or out of balance if you are anxious. This is due to the nervous system's response to anxiety. When you are worried or scared, your body tenses and then relaxes. However, if your anxiety is persistent and you experience these symptoms frequently you could be diagnosed with an anxiety disorder.

If you're constantly stressed often it can be difficult to focus or sleep enough. According to the Cleveland Clinic, it can also cause your body to suffer and you could gain weight. Anxiety also has a major impact on your menstrual cycle. This is because it can cause you to skip or have irregular periods because it affects the release of ovulation-inducing hormones, according to 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 reduce your risk. If you're suffering from any of these conditions, be sure to inform your therapist.

Other things that can increase your risk of anxiety are traumatizing experiences such as being involved in a car crash or having surgery. A chronic medical condition such as asthma or chronic health issues like diabetes can also create anxiety. There are treatments for anxiety disorders. Talk therapy or psychotherapy such as cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) can aid. CBT teaches you how to transform negative thoughts and behaviors that trigger anxiety to positive ones. You can also learn relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing and meditation. In addition, there are supplements that you can take to relax your mind and body.

5. Sweating

Anxiety is a term that covers a wide range of feelings that can cause your heart to beat and your stomach to become upset and your muscles to get tighter. These symptoms alone aren't enough to trigger anxiety disorder however, when they become chronic, it could become a problem. You may be experiencing chills, sweating and other physical symptoms that cause you to seek medical care.

According to the National Institute of Mental Health sweating is a typical physical manifestation of anxiety disorders. When your body's "fight-or-flight" response kicks in it boosts the speed of blood circulation to prepare you for combat. This increase in heart rate could cause you to feel dizzy or out of breath. 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 can also lead to the feeling of not being able to breathe and is known as dyspnea. This could be a sign that your anxiety has become too severe to handle.

Your healthcare provider will assess you for an anxiety disorder based on your reported symptoms and the way they impact your daily routine. You'll be asked about your past experiences as well as current concerns. They may also conduct tests to determine if you have any other health problems that could be the cause of your symptoms, including imaging scanners and blood tests. In certain instances they may recommend medication to ease your symptoms, such as strong antiperspirants made of aluminium, nerve blocker drugs, or botulinum toxin type A (Botox) injections that target the sweat glands. Alternative treatments include cognitive behavioral therapy, psychotherapy and techniques for relaxation such as meditation or yoga.