Why You Should Focus On Improving Anxiety Disorder Physical Symptoms Physical Symptoms of Anxiety Disorder

Although everyone experiences anxiety from time to time, when anxiety becomes a disorder it can cause physical symptoms, as well as emotional ones. They can be characterized by a feeling of restlessness, muscular tension and stomach issues.

A psychiatrist, psychologist or therapist will use screening tools to determine if you have an anxiety disorder. 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

Most people experience anxiety from time to times. An anxiety disorder occurs when these feelings become persistent or more frequent. Anxiety can affect your everyday life or cause you to avoid social situations.1

The most frequent physical sign of anxiety are headaches. They can range from your normal tension headache2 up to a full-blown migraine in some people. Many people tighten their muscles in a fight or flight response, and holding them in a rigid position for a long period of time can cause pain.

Another physical sign of anxiety is dizziness or lightheadedness. This could be due to a fast heart rate, hyperventilating, or the combination of both. It could be a sign you have an underlying medical condition such as heart disease. Talk to your doctor to determine.

You might be feeling weak, especially in your arms or legs. This could be a sign of stress. This is because the nervous system releases adrenaline and cortisol, which help you respond to threats by speeding up your heartbeat and preparing your body for a potential attack. In time, however, those hormones can have the opposite effect on your health and can make you feel shaky or weak. You may also feel dizzy, weak, or weak.

If you're having difficulty getting enough sleep because of anxiety, it could make your symptoms worse. Relax before bed and stick to the same routine. This will allow you to get more rest. Exercise can be beneficial. Exercise can also aid. If you are still having difficulties sleeping, consult your doctor about options for treatment.

2. Stomach problems

The body is tense in response to anxiety, and if you suffer from chronic anxiety, it could cause constant pain. You might experience stomach pain, muscle aches or diarrhea. Your digestive system may be affected by the constant release of stress hormones and this could lead to constipation, bloating, or IBS.

You can experience stomach issues with any type of anxiety disorder, but those who suffer from panic disorders are more likely to suffer from them. Panic attacks are sudden sensations of terror or impending doom that occur in specific situations or for no reason according to the American Psychiatric Association. You might feel as if you are having a heartattack or that you're unable to breathe. You may also experience chest pains and an extremely rapid pulse.

Chronic anxiety can also increase your risk of other health problems. The hormones that trigger anxiety symptoms assist us in responding to threats, but if you're on high alert throughout the day your immune system could be affected. This could make you more prone to getting the common cold and other diseases.

Your doctor can diagnose anxiety disorders by conducting physical examination and a conversation about your symptoms. Before diagnosing anxiety, they'll determine if there are other causes such as thyroid and heart diseases. A mental health professional can provide support and assistance to manage your symptoms. They can teach you relaxation techniques and help you deal with any trauma or negative experiences that may have caused anxiety. They can also help you identify a treatment plan that is suitable for you. Ask your doctor for a referral, or check online therapist directories to find an anxiety specialist.

3. Muscle tension

Many people are aware that a twitchy pulse and a hand that is jittery are indications of anxiety. However, they do not know that chronic muscle tension can be an indication of anxiety disorders such as generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and specific phobias. If someone is experiencing these symptoms on a regular basis they may lose their range of motion and suffer from chronic pain in their back, neck and shoulders.

Tense muscles are a common manifestation of anxiety disorder since the body's fight or flight response triggers a cascade of responses that cause us to physically react to perceived threats. These responses are a natural part of our survival instincts, however, they can cause long-term issues if they're repeated over a prolonged period of time.

When a real danger is present, your adrenal glands produce hormones that boost the speed of your heartbeat so that more blood can be pumped to the muscles of your legs or arms in the event that you have to flee or fight. The 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 lightheaded or dizzy.


If you suffer from an anxiety condition your body isn't able to return to its normal state between stress reactions. Your anxiety disorder causes you to feel anxious all the time and your sympathetic nervous system remains at a high level of 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

If you're a person who is anxious you might be shaky and unbalanced. This is because of the nervous system's response to anxiety. When you are anxious or anxious, your body tenses and then relaxes. If you are experiencing these symptoms often and your anxiety is persistent you could be suffering from an anxiety disorder.

It can be difficult to fall asleep or concentrate when you're constantly worried. It also affects your body, and could cause you to gain weight, as per the Cleveland Clinic. Anxiety also has a major influence on the menstrual cycle. According to the American Psychological Association, anxiety can cause you skip periods or have irregular cycles by affecting hormones that induce menstrual ovulation.

High blood pressure or heart disease may increase your risk of anxiety, so it's important to get these medical problems under control to lower your risk. If you have these conditions, be sure to inform your therapist.

Traumatic experiences like a car accident or surgery can also increase your risk of anxiety. A recurring medical condition like asthma or a chronic health issue like diabetes can also cause anxiety. There are solutions for anxiety disorders . They include psychotherapy or talk therapy, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) that teaches you to turn negative anxiety-inducing thoughts and behaviors into positive ones. You can also learn to practice relaxation techniques, such as meditation or deep breathing. You can supplement your diet with supplements to relax your body and mind.

5. Sweating

Anxiety is a term used to describe for a variety of daunting feelings that can cause your heart to beat and your stomach ache, as well as your muscles tense. Oftentimes, these feelings don't constitute an anxiety disorder--but when they're chronic and become out of control. You may be experiencing chills, sweating and other physical symptoms that cause 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. 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.

This imbalance can cause an uneasy feeling that you are not able to breathe and is known as dyspnea. It's a sign that your anxiety is becoming too intense to manage.

Your healthcare provider will determine if you have anxiety disorders by analyzing your symptoms and how they affect your daily routine. They'll begin by asking you about your previous experiences and current concerns. They may also conduct tests to determine if there are any other health issues that may be causing the symptoms, such as bloodwork and imaging scans. In certain instances, they might recommend medications to ease your symptoms, including strong antiperspirants containing aluminium, nerve-blocking drugs, or botulinum toxin type A (Botox) injections around the sweat glands. Alternative treatments include cognitive behavioral therapy, psychotherapy and techniques for relaxation such as meditation or yoga.