10 Wrong Answers To Common Anxiety Disorder Physical Symptoms Questions Do You Know The Right Ones?
Physical Symptoms of Anxiety Disorder Although everyone experiences anxiety from time to time When anxiety becomes an illness, it can trigger physical symptoms as well as emotional ones. They can be characterized by a feeling of restlessness, muscular tension, and stomach problems. A psychiatrist, psychologist or therapist uses screening tools to determine whether you suffer from anxiety disorders. They will also ask you about your medical history and run tests to rule out any other health conditions that can cause similar symptoms. 1. Headaches Many people feel anxious occasionally. An anxiety disorder occurs when these symptoms are constant or frequent. 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 your normal tension headache2 up to a complete migraine in a few people. Many people tighten their muscles as part of a fight-or-flight response, and retaining them in a rigid position for a long period of time could cause pain. Another physical symptom of anxiety is lightheadedness or dizziness. This could be caused by an increased heart rate, hyperventilating or a combination. It could be a sign you are suffering from an illness that is serious, such as heart disease. Consult your doctor to find out. You may be feeling weak, especially in your arms or legs. This can be a sign of anxiety. This is because the nervous system releases adrenaline and cortisol which aid in responding to a threat by increasing your heart rate and preparing your body for a potential attack. In time, however, those hormones can have the opposite impact on your health and may cause you to feel weak, shaky and weak or dizzy. If you're having difficulty getting enough rest due to anxiety, it can make your symptoms worse. Relax before disorders anxiety and adhere to your routine. This will help you get more rest. Exercise can also be beneficial. A vigorous aerobic workout can release brain chemicals that reduce stress and boost your mood. It can help you fall asleep easier. Talk to your doctor in case you're having trouble sleeping. 2. Stomach issues Anxiety can cause the body to tense up and chronic anxiety may cause pain that persists for a long time. You might experience stomach pain, muscle aches or diarrhea. Your gastrointestinal system can also be affected by the constant release of stress hormones, and this can lead to constipation, bloating and IBS. You can experience stomach issues with any type of anxiety disorder, however people who suffer from panic disorders are more likely to experience them. According to the American Psychiatric Association, panic attacks are sudden feelings or a fear of imminent death. They can occur in specific circumstances or without any reason. It could feel like you're having an attack on your heart or you're unable to breathe, or you might experience chest pain or a rapid heartbeat. Chronic anxiety can increase your risk of developing other health issues. The hormones responsible for fighting or flight that cause the symptoms of anxiety aid us in responding to a threat however, if you're on high alert all the time, your immune system can suffer. This could make you more prone to the common cold, as well as other ailments. Your doctor is able to diagnose anxiety disorders with a physical examination and a discussion regarding your symptoms. Before diagnosing anxiety, they'll determine if there are other causes such as thyroid or heart problems. A mental health professional can provide support and assistance to manage your symptoms. They can assist you in learning relaxation techniques and help you work through any underlying negative or traumatic experiences that could have triggered your anxiety. They can also assist you to identify a treatment plan that is right for you. Ask your doctor to refer you to one or look online for directories that feature an anxiety specialist. 3. Muscle tension Many people are aware that a racing pulse and a hand that is jittery are indications of anxiety. But, they don't know that chronic muscle tension could be an indication of anxiety disorders like generalized anxiety disorder social anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and even specific phobias. When a person is experiencing these symptoms on a regular basis, they may begin to lose their range of motion and experience persistent pain in the neck, back, and shoulders. Tense muscles can be a sign of anxiety disorders because the body's fight or flight response triggers a range of reactions which cause us to physically react when we sense danger. These reactions are a normal part of our survival instincts, however, they can cause long-term issues if they're repeated or over a long time. When there is a real danger the adrenal glands crank out hormones that accelerate how fast your heart beats so that it can pump more blood to the massive muscles in your legs and arms in the event that you need to flee or fight danger. The increased heart rates also increase the rate at which your lungs fill up with oxygen. The combination of stress and hyperventilation can make you feel lightheaded or dizzy. If you suffer from an anxiety-related condition your body isn't able to return to its normal state between stress responses. You are constantly stressed all the time due to the anxiety disorder, and you keep your sympathetic nervous system in high alert. According to the American Psychological Association, this could lead to chronic muscle tension and lasting pain. It can also affect your digestive system causing stomachaches, diarrhea, constipation or irritable-bowel syndrome. 4. Dizziness You may feel dizzy or out of balance if you are anxious. The reason for this has to be 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 recurring and you are experiencing these symptoms often you could be diagnosed with an anxiety disorder. When you're worried frequently it can be difficult to concentrate or sleep enough. It also affects your body, and could cause you to gain weight, per the Cleveland Clinic. Anxiety can also have a major impact on your menstrual cycle. According to the American Psychological Association, anxiety can cause you to miss your periods or experience irregular menstrual cycles by affecting hormones that induce the ovulation. High blood pressure or heart disease could make you more prone to anxiety, which is why it's crucial to get these medical issues under control to lower your risk. If you have these conditions, make sure to tell your therapist. Other things that can increase the risk of anxiety are traumatic events, such as being in a car accident 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 solutions that can ease anxiety issues. Psychotherapy or talk therapy such as cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) can help. CBT teaches you how to change negative behavior patterns and thoughts that cause anxiety into positive ones. You can also learn relaxation techniques like meditation and deep breathing. You can supplement your diet with supplements to relax your mind and body. 5. Sweating Anxiety is a term that refers to many different feelings that can cause your heart to race and your stomach to ache and your muscles to become tight. Oftentimes, these feelings don't constitute an anxiety disorder, but when they're ongoing they can become out of control. You might also experience chills, sweating and other physical symptoms which require medical attention. Sweating is a typical physical sign of anxiety disorders, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. When your body's “fight-or-flight” response kicks in it boosts the rate of blood circulation to prepare you for battle. The increased heart rate can 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. Dyspnea is a feeling that you are unable to breathe. It's an indication that your anxiety has become too severe to control. Your doctor will test you for an anxiety disorder by looking at your symptoms and how they interfere with your daily activities. You'll be asked about previous experiences as well as your current concerns. They might also conduct tests to look for other health issues that may be causing the symptoms, such as imaging scans and blood tests. In some cases they may suggest medications to alleviate your symptoms, such as powerful antiperspirants that contain aluminium, nerve-blocking drugs, or botulinum toxin type A (Botox) injections that target the sweat glands. Alternative treatments include psychotherapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, and relaxation techniques such as yoga or meditation.