14 Creative Ways To Spend The Remaining Anxiety Disorder Physical Symptoms Budget
Physical Symptoms of Anxiety Disorder
Everyone feels anxious at times however, when anxiety develops into a problem, it can cause physical as well as emotional symptoms. These include a sense of anxiety, muscle tension and stomach issues.
A psychiatrist, psychologist or therapist may use screening tools to determine whether you suffer from an anxiety disorder. They will also inquire about your medical history, and perform tests to rule out other health conditions that can cause similar symptoms.
1. Headaches
Many people feel anxious from time to time. But that's different from being diagnosed with an anxiety disorder, which is when the feelings are more frequent or do not go away. Anxiety can also affect your daily routine and make you avoid social situations.
A common physical symptom of anxiety is headaches. They can range from your normal tension headache2 up to a full-blown migraine for some people. Many people tighten their muscles in a fight or flight response, and holding them in a rigid position for a long time could cause pain.
Dizziness or lightheadedness is another physical sign of anxiety. This could be due to a fast heart rate, hyperventilating, or the combination of both. It could also be a sign that you have an illness that is serious, such as heart disease. Consult your physician to determine.
You may be feeling weak, especially in your legs or arms. This can be a sign of stress. This is because your nervous system releases cortisol and adrenaline which aids in responding to danger by accelerating the heartbeat and preparing the entire body for an attack. In time, these hormones can have a negative impact on your health, making you feel weak, shaky or dizzy.
You may experience worse symptoms if you're anxious and have difficulty sleeping. Relax before going to bed and follow the same routine. This will help you get more sleep. Exercise can be beneficial. Aerobic exercise can release brain chemicals that can reduce stress and boost your mood. It can aid in falling asleep more easily. Consult your physician in case you're having trouble sleeping.
2. Stomach problems
Anxiety can cause your body to become tense and chronic anxiety may cause pain that persists for a long time. You may experience stomach pain, muscle aches or diarrhea. Stress hormones can also impact the digestive system, leading to constipation or irritablebowel syndrome.
There are stomach issues that can be experienced when you suffer from any anxiety disorder, but people who suffer from panic disorders are more likely to have them. According to the American Psychiatric Association, panic attacks are sudden feelings or a fear of imminent death. They can happen in specific situations or without a reason. You might feel as if you're having an attack of the heart or that you can't breathe, and you might experience chest pain and a rapid heartbeat.
Chronic anxiety can increase the risk of developing other health issues. The hormones that trigger anxiety symptoms can help us react to dangers and if we're on alert our immune system may be affected. This can make you more vulnerable to catching the common cold as well as other illnesses.
Your doctor can diagnose anxiety disorders by doing an examination and talking to you about your symptoms. Before diagnosing anxiety, they'll determine if there are other causes like thyroid and heart diseases. A mental health professional will be able to offer you assistance and support in managing your symptoms. They can help you learn relaxation techniques and help you work through any underlying traumas or negative experiences which could have triggered anxiety. They can also aid you in finding the right treatment for you. Ask your doctor for a referral, or browse online therapist directories to locate a specialist in anxiety.
3. Muscle tension
Many people are aware that a twitchy pulse and a jittery hand are indicators of anxiety. However, they do not know that chronic muscle tension could be a sign of anxiety disorders such as generalized anxiety disorder or social anxiety disorder panic disorder, and specific fears. If a person is experiencing these symptoms frequently, they can lose their mobility and feel constant discomfort in their neck, back and shoulders.
Tense muscles are a typical sign of anxiety disorders because the body's fight or flight response triggers a cascade of reactions that trigger us to physically react to perceived threats. These responses are a natural part of our survival instincts, but they can cause long-term problems if they are repeated or over a prolonged period of time.
When there is a real danger your adrenal glands pump out hormones that accelerate how fast 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 the threat. Those increased heart rates also increase the speed at which your lungs fill with oxygen. The combination of increased stress and hyperventilation can make you feel dizzy or lightheaded.
If you have an anxiety disorder , your body is unable to return to its normal resting state between stress reactions. The anxiety disorder causes you to feel constantly anxious, so your sympathetic nervous system stays in high alert. According to the American Psychological Association, this can cause chronic muscle tension and lasting pain. It can also affect your digestive system causing stomachaches, constipation, diarrhea or irritable-bowel syndrome.
4. Dizziness
If you're a stressed-out person you may feel dizzy and off balance. The reason for this is to relate to the nervous system's response to anxiety. Your body tenses up when you think of something that worries or scares you, and then relaxes when the threat is gone. If, however, your anxiety is chronic and you experience these symptoms regularly you could be diagnosed with an anxiety disorder.
It can be difficult to sleep or concentrate when you are constantly stressed. It also causes havoc to your body, and could cause you to gain weight, as per the Cleveland Clinic. Anxiety can also have a major impact on your menstrual cycles. That's because it can cause you to skip or have irregular periods because it affects the release of hormones that trigger ovulation, as per the American Psychological Association.
You may be more prone to anxiety if you have high blood pressure or heart issues. It is essential to manage these medical conditions to decrease your risk. Inform your therapist if you are suffering from any of the following conditions.
Other factors that increase your risk of anxiety are traumatic events like being in a car accident or having surgery. Anxiety can be caused by a chronic illness such as diabetes or asthma or a chronic medical illness. The good news is that there are solutions which can alleviate anxiety issues. They include psychotherapy or talk therapy, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) which helps you turn negative thoughts and behaviors that trigger anxiety into positive ones. You can also learn to use relaxation techniques, like deep breathing or meditation. In addition, there are supplements you can take to calm your body and mind.
5. Sweating
Anxiety is a broad term for a range of daunting feelings that can cause your heart to beat, your stomach upset and your muscles tense. These emotions alone aren't enough to cause anxiety disorder however, when they become chronic, it can be a problem. You may also experience sweating, chills and other physical symptoms that prompt you to seek medical attention.
Sweating is a common physical symptom of anxiety disorders, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. When your body's fight-or flight response kicks in, it increases the rate that your blood circulates to prepare you for fight or escape. This increase in heart rate may make you feel faint or 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.
This imbalance can also cause the feeling of not being able to breathe, which is called dyspnea. This is a sign your anxiety has become too severe to handle.
Your healthcare provider will assess your anxiety disorders based on your reported symptoms and how they affect your daily activities. You'll be asked about your past experiences as well as your current concerns. They may also conduct tests to check for other health problems that could be the cause of your symptoms, like bloodwork and imaging scanners. In some cases they may prescribe medications to alleviate the symptoms. They can recommend strong antiperspirants that contain aluminium or other substances that block nerves, or Botox injections around sweat glands. Alternative treatments include cognitive behavior therapy, psychotherapy, and relaxation techniques such as meditation or yoga.