Physical Symptoms of Anxiety
The fight-or-flight response is created to assist us in escaping or confronting danger, but chronic anxiety can keep our bodies alert and create physical
symptoms of high functioning anxiety. This could include:
Get regular check-ups. Untreated anxiety can cause heart problems and other medical conditions. Talk to your doctor about ways to manage these symptoms, such as cutting down on caffeine intake and staying clear of alcohol and street drugs that are recreational.
Muscles that are tight
Muscle tension is a typical symptom of anxiety. It can cause stiffness or pain in your neck, back shoulders, chest, and back, as well as in your feet, hands, or stomach. Anxiety can also affect your breathing and posture.
The muscle tension that is associated with anxiety tends to be short-lived, and it usually fades after the trigger incident or event has passed. For some people however, the muscle tension may be persistent and cause long-term issues.
The tight muscles are an indication of anxiety. The fight or flight response causes your body to prepare by supplying more oxygen to the muscles. This increases their strength to escape physical threats. The increase in blood flow is why your heart beats faster and also the reason you breathe faster when you're feeling anxious.
In the event of an anxiety attack, increased blood flow and rapid breathing can temporarily increase your immune system's ability to help you fight off a perceived stress or threat. But when you experience anxiety frequently, this heightened alertness can become a normal part of your life, resulting in chronic, persistent symptoms such as muscle tightness and breathlessness.
A lot of the physical symptoms of
death anxiety symptoms, such as fatigue and aching muscles and joints, are the result of your body releasing an abundance of chemicals and hormones into your system to prepare to fight or flee from an alleged threat. This continuous state of high alertness can make you feel exhausted, as though you always have a headache or are in a state of constant stomachache.
Changes in your heart rate
Anxiety can make your heart beat faster, which can cause chest discomfort and a shortness of breath. Stress causes adrenal glands, such as adrenaline or cortisol to release hormones that increase blood pressure and heart rate. This is a useful response in emergency situations that require you to pump more blood to your large muscles so that you can flee or combat an attack. It could be harmful if you do it continuously every day, as it increases the risk of heart disease.
You might also notice that your stomach is more upset when you're feeling anxious. The body's fight or flight response could keep you on edge, and can affect digestion. This can result in
symptoms of breath holding anxiety like constipation, abdominal discomfort, or irritablebowel syndrome. People with anxiety might also experience sleep problems or have difficulty sleeping because they're constantly on edge. The constant surge of stress hormones can degrade the immune system which makes it more susceptible to contract the common cold or other diseases.
If you are experiencing these physical symptoms of anxiety, it's a great idea to speak to your doctor. They can check whether there are any medical issues that may cause similar symptoms. For example thyroid issues. It is a good idea however, to talk to a mental health expert who can teach you
How To Reduce Anxiety Symptoms to manage your anxiety and stop the physical symptoms. They might suggest therapies such as psychodynamic or cognitive behavioral therapy psychotherapy that will help you replace negative thoughts with healthy ones. It's also a good idea to stay away from taking your pulse, since it can increase the feeling of anxiety.
Tingling in your feet and hands
A feeling of tingling in your feet or hands can be an indication of anxiety. Tingling in your hands or feet is also known as paresthesia and it is a symptom of the body's stress response which is activated by anxiety. In the event of a panic attack or other intense feelings of anxiety your body is trying to shield yourself from danger or harm by releasing hormones like adrenaline and cortisol. These hormones trigger a range of physical reactions, such as changes in your blood circulation.
As part of the fight or response to flight your body directs blood flow away from the peripheral areas and towards the major muscle groups that might require assistance with a potential physical action. This can leave hands and feet with reduced blood flow, which may result in a tingling sensation. The tingling will probably be more evident during times of anxiety or stress and will likely fade when the tension subsides.
Consult your physician if your discomfort persists. They can help you manage anxiety, and reduce the tingling of your hands and feet.
Although tingling in your feet or hands can be an indication of a serious medical condition It is usually caused by anxiety. To reduce these sensations you should exercise regularly to help improve blood flow, or practice relaxation techniques. It is important to get enough rest, as anxiety can impact your sleeping habits. In addition restricting your consumption of alcohol and caffeine can also help. Contact an FastMed Urgent Care to speak with a doctor about your symptoms if you notice a sudden feeling of numbness or tingling in your feet or hands.
Dry mouth
If you're feeling anxious your body could begin to change the way it produces saliva. This is referred to as dry mouth, and could be a sign you are suffering from anxiety. It is a possible side-effect of certain medications like antidepressants and antipsychotics.
If you experience dry mouth, it's essential to consult with a physician. They can rule out any medical issues that could be causing it. If your doctor has determined that you have anxiety, they may suggest treatment options.
Anxiety can cause dry mouth due to the stress hormones adrenaline and cortisol which are released when you are stressed or anxious. These hormones can boost the rate of your heart and breathing to help you fight or run away from danger. However, they could cause digestive issues and other physical symptoms.
You might also notice dry mouth if you are under stress or taking medication that reduces saliva production. SSRIs (which are typically prescribed to alleviate anxiety) can cause dryness in the mouth. These drugs are effective by blocking the actions of acetylcholine. It is a neurotransmitter involved in voluntary muscle movements as well as bodily functions such as digestion, salivation and urination.
If you experience dry mouth and experience anxiety, you should drink plenty of fluids and practice relaxation techniques. If your anxiety is severe an expert in mental health may recommend other treatment options like cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) and protection from exposure to harmful substances and complementary health practices such as meditation and yoga.
Shortness of Breath
If you're feeling exhausted when you exercise, or at other times during the day, this feeling could indicate that you're experiencing anxiety. This symptom is linked to all types of anxiety disorders, such as generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety, and panic disorders. Most often, anxiety causes tension in muscles that can lead to the feeling of being out of breath, particularly in the shoulders and back region. These tensions can result in a cycle that can exacerbate physical symptoms.
The reason that anxiety can cause this and other physical responses is related to the body's fight-orflight response. This is a necessary response to respond to threats but if it is triggered long-term due to chronic
travel anxiety symptoms, it could cause negative effects.
When you feel anxiety and stress, your body is unable to tell that you're not in danger, or that this isn't really the main reason behind your anxiety. This can lead to the perception that you're constantly in danger, even if you're not. This is why it's crucial to work with an expert in mental health.
If you're stressed your body releases a number of stress hormones. These hormones stimulate your body to react as if you're in danger, which can be accompanied by feelings of a shortness or a sluggish breath. This is a normal response, but it may be difficult to differentiate from other illnesses or conditions that could trigger this symptom. For example heart disease, blood clot in the lung or pneumonia could all trigger this. It is important to speak with your doctor or health care professional to run tests to determine if you have an underlying condition which could be the cause of this feeling.