Physical Symptoms of Anxiety Disorder

Although everyone experiences anxiety at times When anxiety becomes a disorder it can cause physical symptoms, as well as emotional ones. These include a feeling of restlessness, muscle tension and stomach problems.

A psychiatrist, psychologist or therapist will use screening tools to determine whether you suffer from anxiety disorders. They will also inquire about your medical history and run tests to rule other medical conditions that could cause similar symptoms.

1. Headaches

Many people feel anxious occasionally. But it's not the same as having an anxiety and panic disorder disorder, which is when the feelings are more frequent or do not go away. Anxiety can affect your daily routine or cause you to avoid social situations.1

Headaches are a typical physical symptom that is associated with anxiety. They can range from a tension headache2 all the way to a full-blown migraine in some people. This is due to the fact that many people tense their bodies 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

Dizziness or lightheadedness is another physical symptom of anxiety. This can be due to a rapid heart rate, hyperventilating, or a combination. It could be a sign you suffer from an illness that is serious, such as heart disease. Talk to 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 cortisol and adrenaline, which help you respond to a threat by increasing your heart rate and prepare your body for a possible attack. Over time the hormones can have a negative effect on your health, making you feel weak, shakey or dizzy.

There are times when you may experience more symptoms if you are anxious and have difficulty sleeping. Try to unwind before bed and adhere to your routine so that you can sleep better. Exercise can be beneficial. Brisk aerobic activity can release brain chemicals that cut stress and improve your mood. It can help you fall asleep easier. If you're still having trouble sleeping, talk to your doctor about options for treatment.

2. Stomach problems

The body tightens up in response to anxiety, and if you have chronic anxiety it can result in persistent pain. There may be stomach pain, muscle aches or diarrhea. Stress hormones can also impact your digestive system, leading to constipation or irritablebowel syndrome.

People who suffer from panic disorders are at a higher risk of having stomach issues. Panic attacks are sudden, intense feelings of fear or imminent doom that occur in specific situations or without explanation according to the American Psychiatric Association. You might feel as if you're experiencing an attack on your heart or you're unable to breathe, or you might experience chest pain or a rapid heartbeat.

Long-term anxiety can increase your risk of developing other health issues. The hormones that trigger anxiety symptoms assist us in responding to threats and iicit these responses as part of our survival instincts however, they can lead to long-term muscle problems when they happen frequently or over a prolonged period of time.

If a risk is present the adrenal glands produce 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 you have to escape or fight. These increased heart rates also increase the rate of your lungs filling with oxygen. The combination of stress and hyperventilation can make you feel lightheaded or dizzy.

If you have an anxiety condition your body is unable to return to its normal state between stress reactions. You feel anxious throughout the day because of the anxiety disorder, and you keep your sympathetic nervous system on alert. This leads to the continuous 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 constipation, diarrhea or irritable-bowel syndrome.

4. Dizziness

If you're a stressed-out person you might feel dizzy and off balance. The reason for this is to relate to the nervous system's response to anxiety. The body gets tense when you think about something that worries or scares you, but then relaxes when the threat is gone. If you are experiencing these symptoms often and your anxiety is persistent it could be that you suffer from an anxiety disorder.

It can be difficult to sleep or focus when you are constantly worried. According to the Cleveland Clinic, it can also cause your body to suffer and you may gain weight. Anxiety also has a big impact on your menstrual cycle. That's because it can cause you to skip or have irregular periods by affecting the release of ovulation-inducing hormones, according to the American Psychological Association.

Having high blood pressure or heart disease may increase your risk of anxiety, so it's important to get these medical issues under control to lower your risk. If you're suffering from any of these conditions, make sure to inform your therapist.

Experiences that are traumatizing, like a car accident or surgery can increase the risk of anxiety. Anxiety can be caused by chronic illnesses, such as diabetes or asthma, or a recurring medical condition. There are solutions for anxiety disorders. They include psychotherapy, also known as talk therapy, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which helps you turn negative thoughts and behaviors that trigger generalised anxiety disorder into positive ones. You can also learn to use relaxation techniques, like meditation or deep breathing. You can also take supplements to calm your mind and body.

dsm 5 anxiety disorders. Sweating

Anxiety is a term that encompasses a wide range of feelings that can cause your heart to race and your stomach to become upset and your muscles to tighten. These feelings alone are not enough to cause anxiety disorder but when they become chronic, it can cause problems. You may also experience sweating, chills and other physical symptoms that prompt you to seek medical help.

According to the National Institute of Mental Health The National Institute of Mental Health, sweating is a frequent physical manifestation 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 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.

This imbalance could cause the feeling of not being breathing or breathe, which is known as dyspnea. This is a sign that your anxiety has become too intense to handle.

Your healthcare provider will determine if you suffer from anxiety disorders by analyzing 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 conduct tests to look for other health issues that could be causing them, like bloodwork and imaging scans. In some cases they may suggest medications to alleviate your symptoms, such as strong antiperspirants made of aluminium, nerve blocker drugs, or botulinum toxin type A (Botox) injections around the sweat glands. Alternative treatments include cognitive behavioral therapy, psychotherapy, and relaxation techniques such as meditation or yoga.