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Physical Symptoms of Anxiety Disorder Everyone experiences anxiety at times, when anxiety becomes a problem, it can cause physical symptoms, as well as emotional ones. They can be characterized by a feeling of anxiety, muscle tension, and stomach problems. A psychologist, psychiatrist, or therapist uses screening tools to determine if you suffer from anxiety disorders. They will also ask you about your medical history, and perform tests to rule out any other medical conditions that could cause similar symptoms. 1. Headaches Many people feel anxious from time some point. An anxiety disorder occurs when these feelings become persistent or more frequent. Anxiety can also affect your everyday life or cause you to avoid social situations.1 Headaches are a typical physical symptom of anxiety. They can range from an average tension headache2 to a complete migraine in a few people. This is because a lot of people tense their bodies in response to the fight or flight response and securing those muscles for prolonged periods of time can lead to pain.3 Lightheadedness or dizziness are another physical symptom of anxiety. This can be due to an increased heart rate, hyperventilating, or the combination of both. It could be a sign you have an underlying medical condition such as heart disease. Consult your doctor to determine. You might also feel weak in your legs or arms this could be another indication of anxiety. This is because the nervous system releases adrenaline and cortisol which allow you to respond to threats by increasing your heart rate and prepare your body for an attack. Over time, however, those hormones can have the opposite impact on your health and can make you feel shaky and weak or dizzy. If you're having difficulty getting enough rest due to anxiety, it can make your symptoms worse. Try to relax before bed and follow an established routine to get more rest. Exercise can also be beneficial. A vigorous aerobic workout can release brain chemicals that cut stress and improve your mood, and it can aid in falling asleep more easily. If you're still having difficulty sleeping, speak to your doctor about options for treatment. 2. Stomach issues The body tenses up when you are anxious, and if you suffer from chronic anxiety, it could result in persistent pain. There may be stomach pain, muscle aches or diarrhea. Stress hormones can also impact your gastrointestinal system, causing constipation or irritablebowel syndrome. People suffering from panic disorders are at a higher chance of developing stomach problems. Panic attacks are sudden, intense feelings of fear or imminent doom that happen in specific circumstances or for no reason, according to the American Psychiatric Association. It could feel like you're having a heart attack or that you're unable to breathe. You may also experience chest pains and a rapid pulse. Long-term anxiety can increase the risk of developing other health issues. The hormones that trigger anxiety symptoms help us to respond to a danger and if we're on alert our immune system may be affected. This can increase your risk of contracting the common cold, as well as other ailments. Your doctor can diagnose anxiety disorder s through a physical examination and an interview regarding 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 assistance and support to manage your symptoms. They can help you learn relaxation techniques and assist you to overcome any underlying trauma or negative experience that may have caused your anxiety. They can also assist you to determine the best treatment option that is suitable for you. Ask your doctor for a referral or check online therapist directories to find a therapist who is an expert 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 realize that muscle tension can be an indication of anxiety disorders , such as generalized anxiety disorder social anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and certain fears. If a person is experiencing these symptoms frequently they may lose their mobility and experience persistent discomfort in their neck, back and shoulders. Tense muscles are a sign of anxiety disorders due to the body's fight or flight response triggers a range of bodily reactions that trigger us to physically react when we sense danger. In moderate levels of anxiety, we trigger these reactions as part of our natural survival instinct, but they can cause long-term muscle issues when they happen frequently or over a long period of time. When there is a real danger the adrenal glands crank out hormones that speed up the speed at which your heart beats to ensure it can pump more blood to the big muscles in your arms and legs in case you need to escape or fight the danger. Those increased heart rates also increase the speed at which your lungs fill with oxygen. The combination of stress and hyperventilation can cause you feel dizzy or lightheaded. If you suffer from an anxiety condition your body isn't able to return to its normal resting state between stress-related responses. You are constantly anxious all the while due to the anxiety disorder, and you keep your sympathetic nervous system on high alert. According to the American Psychological Association, this can lead to chronic muscle tensing and long-term pain. It can also affect your digestive system, which can cause stomach pain constipation, diarrhea, or irritable bowel syndrome. 4. Dizziness If you're a person who is anxious you may be shaky and unbalanced. The reason is to be due to the nervous system's response to anxiety. When you are worried or anxious your body tightens and then relaxes. If you experience these symptoms often and you feel your anxiety is chronic it could be that you suffer from an anxiety disorder. If you're constantly stressed frequently it can be difficult to focus or sleep enough. It also causes havoc to your body and may cause you to gain weight, as per the Cleveland Clinic. Anxiety can also have an influence on your menstrual cycles. That's because it can cause you to miss or experience irregular menstrual cycles due to the inability to release hormones that trigger ovulation, as per the American Psychological Association. You can be more susceptible to anxiety if you have high blood pressure or heart problems. It is important to manage these medical conditions to decrease your risk. Talk to your therapist if have any of these conditions. Other things that could increase the risk of anxiety are traumatic experiences like being in a car crash or having surgery. Anxiety can be caused by chronic illnesses, like asthma or diabetes, or a recurring medical health condition. There are treatment options for anxiety disorders. They include psychotherapy, or talk therapy, for instance 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. Additionally, there are supplements that you can take to calm your body and mind. 5. Sweating Anxiety is a term that refers to an array of emotions that can cause your heart to beat, your stomach to upset and your muscles to become tight. Most of the time, these feelings aren't enough to cause anxiety disorders, but if they're persistent and get out of hand. You might also experience sweating, chills or other physical symptoms which make you seek medical help. The habit of sweating is a common 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 of blood circulation to prepare you for the fight. 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 may also cause a feeling of not being able to breathe or breathe, which is known as dyspnea. It's an indication that your anxiety has become too severe to control. Your healthcare provider will determine if you have anxiety disorders by analyzing your symptoms and how they impact your daily life. You'll be asked about your previous experiences as well as current concerns. They may 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 might recommend medications to alleviate your symptoms, including strong antiperspirants made of aluminium, nerve blocker drugs or botulinum toxin type A (Botox) injections that target the sweat glands. Alternative treatments include cognitive behavior therapy, psychotherapy and techniques for relaxation such as yoga or meditation.