Are Anxiety Symptoms Physical?
Most people are aware that anxiety is characterized by worry and fear. The physical symptoms of anxiety are more alarming and may even be a sign of heart attacks.
Get help if you are experiencing physical symptoms and worries are interfering with your daily routine. Your doctor will likely conduct tests to determine if there is a medical reason for your symptoms.
Pain or Pressure in the Chest
Pain in the chest can be a sign of anxiety and it can be a frightening experience when it first happens. Some people are afraid of having a heart attack when they feel pressure in their chest. However, it’s more likely that the symptoms are caused by anxiety than anything else more serious.
When a person feels anxiety in their body, the brain and body immediately send out an immediate stress response. This can be a physical response that can include sweating, nausea, and a breathing shortness. It could also be accompanied by tense muscles and tingling hands and feet. This is the fight or flight response and is designed to help anyone in a potentially dangerous situation.
The chest pain caused by anxiety symptoms sleep can be felt as an intense or stabbing sensation that is located in the chest. It’s usually accompanied by a feeling of heaviness or crushing pressure and it usually stops within minutes. Anxiety can cause discomfort in the shoulders, arms or jaw.
A rapid heartbeat can be another common indication. It may feel like the heart is racing or sputtering beats. This is a sign of the heart working harder to get more oxygen into the bloodstream.
It’s important to see a doctor if you have chest pain or any other anxiety symptoms. They can identify the cause and rule out a heart issue like coronary artery disease. If the doctor determines that anxiety is the reason the issue, he can prescribe medication or psychotherapy to treat the symptoms.
Numbness or Tingling in the Arms or Legs
It can be very unnerving to experience numbness in your legs or arms. It can happen and disappear, or it might be a normal feeling that occurs on a day-to-day basis. Numbness is often associated with other symptoms of anxiety such as headaches, sweating or breath shortness. It could be an isolated manifestation or a sign of excessive or chronic anxiety.
Tingling sensations in the hands and feet can also be a sign of stress. These symptoms could be a result of a fight or flight reaction. When you are frightened your body prepares itself for actions by increasing blood flow to muscles and other organs and decreasing it in areas that aren’t vital in the event of a fight or flight. This redirected flow of blood can cause numbness in the extremities.
While it’s important to realize that not all tingling or numbness is caused by anxiety, it’s equally important to recognize that the symptoms could be caused by other medical issues, such as nerve damage, diabetes, or an infection. The best way to rule out an underlying issue is to schedule an appointment with your physician.
You can decrease anxiety by reducing the amount of worry you have. This will help eliminate the numbness caused by anxiety. Try relaxation strategies, self-care techniques, or talk to a trusted person about your concerns. If you’re still experiencing anxiety you might consider joining a support group for anxiety. Many people find that talking to people can help them deal with their anxiety. There are many anxiety coping techniques online including yoga and meditation. You can also consult your GP to provide you with advice or refer you to counselling services.
Weakness or Fainting
Anxiety can cause people to feel weak or weak due to a decrease in blood flow to their brain and muscles. This can be a terrifying experience, since it could appear as if something is wrong with you. Tell your doctor if you feel weak or faint, so they can determine whether there’s a root health issue. This includes checking your blood pressure and heart rate, thyroid, and other medical conditions that could be causing the symptoms.
If you suspect you suffer from anxiety, you should consult your physician about the symptoms and how they impact your life. Your doctor will help you identify what’s causing anxiety and offer solutions. They’ll begin by conducting a physical exam and they’ll ask about your medical history as well as any medications you’re taking (including herbal remedies, over-the-counter medications and recreational drugs).
There are people who develop anxiety disorders due to trauma or stress in their lives. Some people have a genetic predisposition to develop anxiety disorders while others take medications that cause them. It’s not known what causes anxiety disorders however, the brain can release stress hormones in response to anxiety or stress. These hormones can have long-term health effects.
People who suffer from anxiety tend to withdraw from family and friends avoid certain activities and places and are constantly trying to find comfort. This can lead social depression and isolation. Treatment for mental health can help people stop anxious behaviors and accept body sensations, as well as manage worrying thoughts. Certain kinds of therapy, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy are particularly beneficial for people suffering from anxiety related to health.
Muscles tightened or braced
For the majority of people, muscle tension from anxiety is a temporary experience that disappears once the stressful situation passes. For some, however, anxiety-induced muscle tightness is chronic that lasts for weeks or even days. This can cause stiffness and pains in the backs, shoulders and chests, as well as necks, faces and stomachs as well as other body parts.
Stress triggers a series of physical reactions to prepare your body to fight or flee. This can include an increase in blood flow to muscles to allow them to respond quickly, as well as tension in the muscles. This is generally a good thing, as it allows you to stay away from danger or manage an emergency situation. However, if your body is on high alert at all times, as it can be with chronic anxiety, these symptoms could be long-term issues.
One of the most frequently cited reasons for this is hyperstimulation, which happens when your body’s natural survival instinct is activated often. This can cause your body to become stuck in the fight-or flight response, which can trigger anxiety-related symptoms like a rapid pulse, dizziness or jitteriness.
If you know someone who regularly suffers from these symptoms Try to help them break out of the cycle by offering encouragement and support. You could distract them by asking them to do something like take a look at the photos in a book or wash the dishes and this will often take their focus off of the anxiety. Another option is to convince them to visit a doctor or a mental health professional for evaluation. This could include a medical examination or laboratory tests to determine if there are any other health issues.
Dry Mouth
If you are feeling anxious your body’s fight or flight stress response kicks into action. This triggers a surge of adrenaline and other hormones, to be released into your bloodstream. This also increases the rate of your pulse and breathing to ensure that more oxygen can reach your brain. These effects prepare you for an emergency However, they can make you feel uncomfortable and drained.
You may also experience a dry mouth if you’re anxious. The dry mouth could appear to be dehydrated but that is generally not the case. Dry mouth is the result of heightened arousal in your nervous system, which can also cause an increase in the production of acid in your stomach.
Additionally when you’re stressed you may breathe through your mouth instead of your nose. This can result in excessive swallowing which dries the throat. This can be a side-effect of many anxiety medications like antidepressants.
Try chewing sugarless gum or drinking water to increase salivation if you suffer from a dry mouth. If you take medication that causes dry mouth, speak to your doctor about switching to a different medication.
If you experience dry mouth that does not disappear when you take medications, try relaxing techniques or therapy to help manage your anxiety ear symptoms. It is crucial to seek treatment for anxiety symptoms as soon as they appear, so that you do not let the problem get worse. Find a therapist on BetterHelp that has more than 20,000 licensed therapists who provide an affordable and convenient online therapy. Start your free online assessment to be placed with a therapist that is suitable for you. This article originally appeared on Anxiety UK.