What Is Anxiety Disorder Physical Symptoms? History Of Anxiety Disorder Physical Symptoms

Physical Symptoms of anxiety disorders examples Disorder

Everyone feels anxious at times, but when anxiety becomes a condition it can cause physical as well as emotional symptoms. They can be characterized by a feeling of agitation, muscle tension, and stomach problems.

A psychologist, psychiatrist or therapist will use screening tools to determine whether you suffer from an anxiety disorder. They will also ask you about your medical history and conduct tests to rule out other health conditions that can cause similar symptoms.

1. Headaches

Most people feel anxious occasionally. An anxiety disorder is when these feelings are constant or frequent. Anxiety can also impact your daily routine and cause you to avoid social situations.

One of the most common physical symptoms of anxiety is headaches. They can range from a tension headache2 up to a complete migraine in some individuals. This is because a lot of people tense their bodies in response to the fight or flight response and holding their muscles in a rigid position for long periods of time can cause pain.3

Another symptom of anxiety is lightheadedness or dizziness. It can be caused by an increased heart rate, hyperventilating or a combination of both. It could also be a sign of a serious medical condition like heart disease, which is why it's crucial to have your heart checked out by your doctor.

You may also feel weak in the legs or arms this could be another sign of anxiety disorders wikipedia. This is because your nervous system releases cortisol and adrenaline which aids in responding to a danger by accelerating the heartbeat and preparing your entire body for an attack. As time passes the hormones can have a negative impact on your health, making you feel weak, shakey or dizzy.

You may experience worse symptoms if you are anxious and have difficulty sleeping. Try to relax before bed and follow an established routine so that you can rest better. Exercise can be beneficial. Exercise can also aid. If you still have difficulty sleeping, speak to your doctor about possible treatment options.

2. Stomach problems

The body is tense in response to anxiety and if you suffer from chronic anxiety it can cause chronic discomfort. Your muscles might ache and your stomach may feel off or you can get diarrhea. Stress hormones can affect your gastrointestinal system, causing constipation or irritablebowel syndrome.

People suffering from panic disorders are at an increased risk of having stomach issues. Panic attacks are sudden feelings of terror or impending doom that happen in specific circumstances or for no reason according to the American Psychiatric Association. You may feel as if you're experiencing a heart attack or that you cannot breathe. You might also experience chest pains and an extremely rapid pulse.

Long-term anxiety disorders causes can increase the risk of developing other health issues. The hormones responsible for fighting or flight that cause anxiety symptoms assist us in responding to a threat, but if you're always on alert all the time your immune system could suffer. This could increase your risk of contracting the common cold, and other illnesses.

Your doctor can diagnose anxiety disorders through an examination of your body and a conversation regarding your symptoms. They can 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 depression and anxiety disorder help you manage your symptoms. They can assist you in learning relaxation techniques and help you work through any underlying traumas or negative experiences that might have contributed to anxiety. They can also help you find a treatment option that is right for you. Ask your doctor for a referral, or look up online directories of therapists to find a therapist who is an expert in anxiety.

3. Muscle tension

While most people know that a heart racing and hands that feel jittery are signs of anxiety, a lot of people don't know that muscle tension can be a physical indication of anxiety disorders such as generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) as well as social anxiety disorder (SAD) panic disorder, or specific phobias. If someone is experiencing these symptoms on a regular basis they may lose their range of motion and feel constant discomfort in their back, neck and shoulders.

Tense muscles can be an indication of anxiety disorders as the body's fight or flight response triggers a series of responses that cause us to physically react when we sense danger. A moderate level of anxiety triggers these reactions as part of our survival instincts however, they can also lead to long-term muscle problems when they happen frequently or over a prolonged period of time.

If a real risk is present your adrenal glands release hormones that speed up the rate of your heartbeat, so that more blood can be delivered to your muscles that are large in your legs or arms in the event that you have to escape or fight. The increased heart rates also increase the speed of your lungs filling up with oxygen. This combination of heightened tension and hyperventilation could make you feel dizzy or lightheaded.

When you have an anxiety disorder, however your body isn't able to its normal state of rest between stress-related responses. The anxiety disorder makes you feel constantly anxious and your sympathetic nervous system stays at a high level of alert. This causes the constant tension of your muscles, which could eventually result in long-term pain, according to the American Psychological Association. It can also affect your digestive system causing stomachaches, diarrhea, constipation or irritable-bowel syndrome.

4. Dizziness

If you're a person who is anxious you might be shaky and unbalanced. The reason for this is to do with the nervous system response to anxiety. If you are stressed or anxious your body begins to tense and then relaxes. If you are experiencing these symptoms frequently and your anxiety is chronic, you may have an anxiety disorder.

When you're worried frequently it can be difficult to focus or get enough sleep. It also wreaks havoc on your body and can cause you to gain weight, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Anxiety also has a big impact on your menstrual cycle. It's because it could cause you to miss or have irregular periods due to the inability to release hormones that induce ovulation, 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 lower your risk. If you suffer from these conditions, be sure to tell your therapist.

A traumatic experience like a car accident or surgery can also increase the risk of anxiety. A recurring medical condition like asthma or an ongoing health issue like diabetes can cause anxiety. The good news is that there are solutions that can help with anxiety issues. Psychotherapy or talk therapy such as cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) can be helpful. CBT teaches you how to transform negative thoughts and behaviors that cause anxiety into positive ones. You can also learn how to use relaxation techniques such as deep breathing or meditation. You can also take supplements to calm your mind and body.

5. Sweating

Anxiety is a term that covers a wide range of feelings that can cause your heart to race and your stomach to ache and your muscles to tighten. Oftentimes, these feelings aren't enough to cause anxiety disorder--but when they're chronic they can get out of hand. You may also experience sweating, chills or other physical symptoms that prompt you to seek medical assistance.

The habit of sweating is a common sign of anxiety disorders, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. When your body's "fight-or-flight" response kicks in it boosts your blood circulation rate to prepare you for the fight. This increase in heart rate can cause you to feel exhausted and dizzy. 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 that your anxiety has grown too severe to manage.

Your healthcare provider will determine if you suffer from an anxiety disorder by looking at your symptoms and how they impact your daily life. You'll be asked about previous experiences as well as your current concerns. They may also run tests to identify other health issues that could be causing them, such as bloodwork and imaging scans. In some instances, they might recommend medications to help ease your symptoms, including strong antiperspirants containing aluminium, nerve-blocking medications or botulinum toxins type A (Botox) injections around the sweat glands. Alternative treatments include cognitive behavior therapy, psychotherapy, and techniques for relaxation such as meditation or yoga.