10 Things You Learned In Kindergarden To Help You Get Started With Anxiety Disorder Physical Symptoms

Physical Symptoms of Anxiety Disorder Although everyone experiences anxiety at times When anxiety becomes a problem, 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 psychiatrist, psychologist, or therapist will use screening tools to determine if you have anxiety disorder. They will also ask you about your medical history, and perform tests to rule out any other health conditions that may cause similar symptoms. 1. Headaches Most people have anxiety from time to some point. But that's different from having an anxiety disorder which is when the symptoms are more frequent or don't disappear. Anxiety can also impact your daily life and cause you to avoid social situations. Headaches are a typical physical symptom associated with anxiety. They can range from a tension headache2 up to a full-blown, migraine in some individuals. This is because a lot of people tighten their muscles in response to the fight or flight response and holding their muscles in a rigid position for long periods of time can lead to pain.3 Lightheadedness or dizziness is another symptom of physical anxiety. This could be due to a fast heart rate, hyperventilating, or a combination of both. It can also be an indication of a serious medical condition like heart disease, so it is important to be checked out by your physician. You may 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 allow you to respond to a threat by speeding up your heartbeat and prepare your body for an attack. In time these hormones can have a negative effect on your health, causing you feel weak, shakey or dizzy. You may experience worse symptoms if you're stressed and are having trouble sleeping. Try to relax before bed and follow your routine to get more rest. Exercise can be beneficial. A vigorous aerobic workout can release brain chemicals that cut stress and improve your mood, and it can aid in falling asleep more easily. If you're still having trouble sleeping, talk to your doctor about options for treatment. 2. Stomach issues Anxiety can cause the body to become tense, and chronic anxiety can cause chronic pain. Your muscles may ache or your stomach may be irritable, or you may develop diarrhea. Stress hormones can affect your digestive system, leading to constipation or irritablebowel syndrome. You can experience stomach issues with any type of anxiety disorder, but those with panic disorders are more likely to experience them. 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. You may feel as if you're having a heart attack or that you are unable to breathe. You might also experience chest pains or a rapid pulse. Chronic anxiety can increase your risk for other health problems as well. 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 suffer. This can make you more prone to the common cold, as well as other ailments. Your doctor can diagnose anxiety disorders by conducting a physical examination and a conversation about your symptoms. They will rule out other reasons, such as thyroid or heart problems, before diagnosing you with anxiety. A mental health professional will be able to offer you assistance and assist in managing your symptoms. They can help you learn relaxation techniques and help you work through any underlying traumas or negative experiences that could have triggered your anxiety. They can also aid you in locating the best treatment for you. Ask your doctor to refer you, or look online for directories that feature an anxiety specialist. 3. Muscle tension Although most people are aware that a racing heart and hands that are jittery are indicators of anxiety, a lot of people don't realize that chronic tension in the muscles is a sign of anxiety disorders like generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), social anxiety disorder (SAD) panic disorder, or certain phobias. If someone is suffering from these symptoms on a regular basis, they can lose their mobility and suffer from chronic pain in their back, neck and shoulders. Tense muscles are a typical sign of anxiety disorders because the body's fight or flight response triggers a series of responses that result in us physically reacting to perceived threats. These reactions are a normal part of our survival instincts but they can cause problems in the long run if they are repeated or occur over a long time. When a real threat occurs the adrenal glands crank out hormones that speed up the speed at which your heart beats, so that it can pump more blood to the large muscles in your legs and arms in case you need to flee or fight threat. The increased heart rate can increase the rate at which your lungs fill up with oxygen. This combination of increased stress and hyperventilation could cause you to feel lightheaded or dizzy. If you have an anxiety disorder, your body is unable to return to its normal resting state between stress reactions. You are constantly anxious all the while because of your anxiety disorder , which is why you keep your sympathetic nervous system in high alert. This leads to the chronic tensing of your muscles and could eventually result in long-term pain, according the American Psychological Association. It can also affect the digestive system causing stomachaches, diarrhea, constipation or irritable-bowel syndrome. 4. Dizziness You may feel dizzy or out of balance in the event of anxiety. The reason is to do with the nervous system response to anxiety. Your body tenses up whenever you think about something that scares or worries you, and then it relaxes once the threat passes. If you experience these symptoms often and your anxiety is persistent you could be suffering from an anxiety disorder. It is difficult to fall asleep or concentrate when you're 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 cycle. That's because it can cause you to skip or have irregular menstrual flow due to the inability to release hormones that induce ovulation, according to the American Psychological Association. A high blood pressure or heart disease could make you more prone to anxiety, so it's important to get these medical issues under control to lower your risk. Tell your therapist if you have any of these conditions. A traumatic experience such as a car crash or surgery can increase your anxiety risk. disorders anxiety , such as asthma or chronic health issues, such as diabetes, can trigger anxiety. There are treatment options for anxiety disorders. Psychotherapy or talk therapy like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can aid. CBT teaches you how to change negative behavior patterns and thoughts that cause anxiety to positive ones. You can also learn relaxation techniques like meditation and deep breathing. You can also take supplements to calm your mind and body. 5. Sweating Anxiety is a broad term for a variety of frightening feelings that could cause your heart to beat, your stomach upset and your muscles tight. These feelings alone are not enough to cause anxiety disorder, but when they become chronic, it can become a problem. You may also experience chills, sweating and other physical symptoms that prompt you to seek medical treatment. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, sweating is a common physical sign of anxiety disorders. When your body's “fight-or-flight” response kicks in, it boosts your blood circulation rate to prepare you for combat. The increased heart rate may make you feel dizzy or 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 refers to a feeling that you can't breathe. This is a sign your anxiety has grown too severe to handle. Your healthcare provider will assess you for an anxiety disorder in light of your symptoms and how they impact your daily activities. You'll be asked about previous experiences as well as current concerns. They might also conduct tests to look for other health issues that may be causing them, like bloodwork and imaging scans. In some instances, they may recommend medications to relieve your symptoms. These include powerful antiperspirants containing aluminium or other substances that block nerves and Botox injections around sweat glands. Alternative treatments include psychotherapy, cognitive behavior therapy and relaxation techniques like yoga or meditation.