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Physical Symptoms of Anxiety Disorder Although everyone experiences anxiety at times If anxiety develops into an illness, it can trigger physical symptoms, as well as emotional ones. This can include a feeling of tension in the muscles, restlessness and stomach problems. A psychologist, psychiatrist, or therapist utilizes screening tools to determine whether you suffer from anxiety disorder. They will also ask about your medical history and run tests to rule other health conditions which may cause similar symptoms. 1. Headaches Many people have anxiety from time to some point. However, this is different from being diagnosed with an anxiety disorder, that is, when the feelings are more frequent or do not go away. Anxiety can also interfere with your everyday life or cause you to avoid social situations.1 A common physical symptom of anxiety are headaches. They can range from a tension headache2 to a full-blown migraine for some people. This is due to the fact that many people tense their bodies as part of the fight-or-flight response, and holding those muscles for prolonged periods of time can lead to pain.3 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 also be a sign that you suffer from a serious medical condition like heart disease. Talk to your doctor to determine. You might also feel weak, especially in your legs or arms. This can be a sign of stress. This is because the nervous system releases adrenaline and cortisol which allow you to respond to a threat by increasing your heart rate and prepare your body for a possible attack. In time these hormones could have a negative impact on your health, making you feel weak, shakey or dizzy. If you have trouble getting enough sleep because of anxiety, it could cause your symptoms to get worse. Relax before bed and adhere to the same routine. This will allow you to get more sleep. Exercise can also be helpful. A vigorous aerobic workout can release brain chemicals that reduce stress and boost your mood, and it can assist you in falling asleep faster. If you're still having difficulties sleeping, consult your doctor about possible treatment options. 2. Stomach issues The body tightens up in response to anxiety, and if you have chronic anxiety, it can cause chronic pain. You may experience muscle aches, stomach discomfort or diarrhea. Stress hormones can also impact your digestive system, causing constipation or irritable bowel syndrome. There are stomach issues that can be experienced with any type of anxiety disorder, however people with panic disorders are more likely to experience them. Panic attacks are sudden, intense feelings of fear or imminent doom that can occur in certain situations or for no reason, according to the American Psychiatric Association. You might feel as if you're experiencing a heart attack or that you are unable to breathe. You may also experience chest pains and an extremely rapid pulse. Long-term anxiety can increase your risk for other health issues, too. The fight-or-flight hormones that cause anxiety symptoms aid us in responding to threats however, if you're on high alert throughout the day your immune system could be affected. This could make you more susceptible to catching the common cold as well as other illnesses. Your doctor can diagnose anxiety disorders through an examination of your body and an interview regarding your symptoms. They can rule out other causes, such as thyroid or heart problems, before diagnosing you with anxiety. A mental health professional can also offer support and help you manage your symptoms. They can teach you relaxation techniques and help you overcome any underlying trauma or negative experiences that might have led to your anxiety. They can also help you in finding the appropriate treatment for you. Ask your doctor for a referral or browse online therapist directories to find a therapist who is an expert in anxiety. 3. Muscle tension While the majority of people know that a racing heart and jittery hands are signs of anxiety, many people do not know that muscle tension is a physical indication of anxiety disorders such as generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) or social anxiety disorder (SAD) or panic disorder, or specific phobias. If someone is suffering from these symptoms regularly they could lose their range and experience persistent pain in their neck, back and shoulders. Tense muscles can be a sign of anxiety disorders because the body's fight or flight response triggers a range of reactions which cause us to physically react when we feel threatened. These responses are a natural part of our survival instincts however, they can cause problems in the long run if they are repeated over a long period of time. If a serious threat is present, your adrenal glands churn out hormones that speed up the speed at which your heart beats to ensure it can pump more blood to the massive muscles in your arms and legs in case you need to flee or fight the threat. The increased heart rate can boost how quickly your lungs are filled with oxygen. The combination of increased tension and hyperventilation could make you feel lightheaded or dizzy. If you suffer from an anxiety disorder, however, your body can't return to its normal state of rest between stress responses. Your anxiety disorder makes you be constantly anxious, so 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 long-term pain. It can also affect your digestive system, which may cause stomachaches constipation, diarrhea, or irritable bowel syndrome. 4. Dizziness You may feel dizzy or off-balance in the event of anxiety. The reason for this is to be due to the nervous system's response to anxiety. The body gets tense when you think of something that scares or worries you, but then relaxes after the threat has passed. If you experience these symptoms frequently and your anxiety is chronic it could be that you suffer from an anxiety disorder. When you're worried frequently, it can be hard to focus or sleep enough. It also causes havoc to your body and can cause you to gain weight, as per the Cleveland Clinic. Anxiety can also have an influence on your menstrual cycles. According to the American Psychological Association, anxiety can cause you to skip your menstrual cycle or have irregular cycles due to altering hormones that cause ovulation. A high blood pressure or heart disease could make you more susceptible to anxiety, which is why it's crucial to get these medical issues under control to decrease your risk. Talk to your therapist if have any of these conditions. Experiences that are traumatizing, like a car crash or surgery can increase your anxiety risk. A chronic medical condition such as asthma or chronic health issues, such as diabetes, can also trigger anxiety. There are treatments for anxiety disorders. They include psychotherapy, or talk therapy, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which teaches you to turn negative anxiety-inducing thoughts and behaviors into positive ones. You can also learn how to use relaxation techniques, like deep breathing or meditation. You can also take supplements to calm your body and mind. 5. Sweating Anxiety is a term that refers to a wide range of feelings that can cause your heart rate to rise and your stomach to become upset and your muscles to become tight. Most of the time, these feelings aren't enough to constitute anxiety disorder s, but if they're persistent and get out of hand. You may be experiencing chills, sweating and other physical symptoms that cause 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 speed of blood circulation to prepare you for battle. This increase in heart rate can cause you to feel dizzy and breathless. 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 is a feeling that you can't breathe. It's an indication that your anxiety is getting too severe to control. Your doctor will evaluate you for an anxiety disorder in light of your symptoms and how they affect your daily life. You'll be asked about your past experiences as well as your current concerns. They may also perform tests to identify other health problems that could be the cause of your symptoms, such as bloodwork and imaging scanners. In some cases, they might recommend medications to ease your symptoms, such as powerful antiperspirants that contain aluminium, nerve-blocking drugs or botulinum toxin type A (Botox) injections around the sweat glands. Alternative treatments include psychotherapy, cognitive therapy, and relaxation techniques such as yoga or meditation.