10 Things You've Learned In Preschool That'll Help You With Anxiety Disorder Physical Symptoms
Physical Symptoms of Anxiety Disorder
Everyone experiences anxiety at times When anxiety becomes a disorder it can cause physical symptoms as well as emotional ones. These include a sense of restlessness, muscular tension, stomach issues and more.
A psychiatrist, psychologist or therapist will employ screening tools to determine whether you suffer from anxiety disorders. They will also ask about your medical history, and run tests to rule other health conditions that may cause similar symptoms.
1. Headaches
Most people have anxiety from time to times. An anxiety disorder is when these feelings are constant or frequent. Anxiety can affect your everyday life or cause you to avoid social situations.1
The most frequent physical sign of anxiety are headaches. They can range from your typical tension headache2 to complete migraine in a few people. This is due to the fact that many people tighten their muscles in response to the fight or flight response, and holding those muscles in a rigid position for long periods of time can cause pain.3
Lightheadedness or dizziness are another physical sign of anxiety. This could be caused by rapid heart rate, hyperventilating, or the combination of both. It could also be an indication of a major medical condition like heart disease, so it's important to get examined by your doctor.
You may also feel weak in your legs or arms, which can be another indication of anxiety. This is because the nervous system releases adrenaline and cortisol which allow you to respond to threats by increasing your heart rate and preparing your body for an attack. As time passes the hormones can have a negative effect on your health, causing you feel weak, shaky or dizzy.
There are times when you may experience more symptoms if you're stressed and are having trouble sleeping. Relax before bed and follow a routine. This will help you get more rest. Exercise is also helpful. Exercise can also aid. If you still have difficulty sleeping, speak to your doctor about possible treatment options.
2. Stomach problems
Anxiety can cause your body to become tense and chronic anxiety may lead to persistent pain. You may experience stomach pain, muscle aches or diarrhea. Stress hormones can also affect your digestive system, causing constipation or irritable bowel syndrome.
People who suffer from panic disorders are at a higher risk of having stomach issues. Panic attacks are sudden feelings of fear or dread that occur in specific situations or for no apparent reason according to the American Psychiatric Association. It could feel like you're having a heart attack or that you cannot breathe. You may also experience chest pains or a rapid pulse.
Chronic anxiety can increase your risk for other health issues also. The hormones that cause anxiety symptoms can help us react to dangers, but if we're constantly on high alert our immune system could be affected. This can make you more prone to the common cold, as well as other ailments.
Your doctor can diagnose anxiety disorders by doing a physical exam and interviewing you about your symptoms. Before diagnosing anxiety, they'll rule out other causes like heart disease and thyroid problems. A mental health professional can also offer support and help you manage your symptoms. They can also teach relaxation techniques and help you work through any underlying trauma or negative experience that could have triggered anxiety. They can also help you find a treatment option that is appropriate for you. Ask your doctor for a referral or look up online directories of therapists to find an anxiety specialist.
3. Muscle tension
Although most people are aware that a racing heart and hands that are jittery are indicators of anxiety, many don't know that muscle tension is a physical sign of anxiety disorders like generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), social anxiety disorder (SAD) or panic disorder, or specific phobias. If someone is experiencing these symptoms regularly, they can lose their range of motion and experience persistent discomfort in their neck, back and shoulders.
Tense muscles are a typical symptom of anxiety disorder because the body's fight-or-flight response triggers a chain of bodily reactions that cause us to physically react to perceived threats. These reactions are a natural part of our survival instincts, but they can cause long-term issues if they're repeated or occur over a long period of time.
If a real risk is present your adrenal glands release hormones that boost the speed of your heartbeat so that more blood is pumped to your large muscles in your arms or legs in the event that you need to run away or fight. The increased heart rate can increase the speed at which your lungs are filled with oxygen. This combination of increased stress and hyperventilation may make you feel dizzy or lightheaded.
If you have an anxiety disorder your body is unable to return to its normal state between stress reactions. Your anxiety disorder causes you to be constantly anxious and your sympathetic nervous system remains on high alert. This leads to the chronic tensing of your muscles and can eventually cause chronic pain, according to the American Psychological Association. It can also affect your digestive system, which may cause stomach pain, constipation, diarrhea, or irritable bowel syndrome.
4. Dizziness
You might be shaky or unbalanced in the event of anxiety. This is due to the nervous system's response to anxiety. If you are stressed or anxious your body begins to tense and then it relaxes. If, however, your anxiety is recurring and you experience these symptoms frequently, you may be diagnosed with an anxiety disorder.
If you're constantly stressed on a regular basis, it can be hard to concentrate or get enough sleep. It also affects your body, and could cause you to gain weight, as per the Cleveland Clinic. Anxiety also has a big impact on your menstrual cycle. According to the American Psychological Association, anxiety can cause you to skip your menstrual cycle or have irregular cycles by altering hormones that trigger ovulation.
A high blood pressure or heart disease may make you more susceptible to anxiety, so it's important to get these medical problems under control to reduce your risk. Tell your therapist if you are suffering from any of the following conditions.
Experiences that are traumatizing, like a car crash or surgery can increase your anxiety risk. A chronic medical condition, such as asthma or a chronic health issue like diabetes can trigger anxiety. The good news is that there are solutions that can ease anxiety issues. Talk therapy or psychotherapy like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can help. CBT teaches you how to transform negative thoughts and behaviors that trigger anxiety to positive ones. You can also learn relaxation techniques like deep breathing and meditation. In addition, there are supplements available to help calm your body and mind.
5. Sweating
Anxiety is a term that encompasses many different feelings that can cause your heart to beat and your stomach to ache and your muscles to get tighter. Most of the time, these feelings aren't enough to constitute anxiety disorder, but when they're ongoing they can become out of control. There are also sweating, chills or other physical symptoms which make you seek medical assistance.
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, sweating is a common physical manifestation of anxiety disorders. When your body's fight or flight response kicks in, it increases the rate at which your blood circulates to prepare you for fighting or escape. This boost in heart rate can cause you to feel dizzy and 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.
Dyspnea refers to a feeling that you are unable to breathe. It's an indication that your anxiety is becoming too intense to manage.
Your doctor will determine if you have an anxiety disorder by looking at your symptoms and how they affect your daily routine. They'll start by asking you about your previous experiences and your current concerns. They may also conduct tests to identify other health issues that could be causing the symptoms, such as imaging scans and blood tests. In some cases they may recommend medication to ease your symptoms, such as strong antiperspirants containing aluminium, nerve-blocking drugs, or botulinum toxin type A (Botox) injections around the sweat glands. Alternative treatments include psychotherapy, cognitive behavior therapy and relaxation techniques such as meditation or yoga.