Anxiety Body Symptoms

Everybody experiences anxiety at some point, especially when faced by a fear or anxiety. However, constant anxiety can trigger a domino effect of physical symptoms.

When you're scared or stressed, your heart rate and respiration will increase. Blood and fuel flood the muscles in the event that you have to escape danger.

Tingling

The nervous system triggers an anxious response when you sense a threat. It releases hormones and chemicals such as adrenaline to improve blood circulation, boost oxygen, and help you respond more quickly and efficiently. That's the body's normal reaction to life-threatening situations and is designed to protect you (Chand, 2021). However, many of us feel anxious about things that do not necessarily pose a threat, or may even be beneficial. The constant increase in stress hormones, as well as other physical symptoms associated with anxiety, can be physically and mentally draining.

The most frequent indication of anxiety is a tingling throughout your body. You might feel it in your legs, arms and chest or feet. It can also move towards your head and cause headaches. It could also happen when you are sitting or lying in the same position for an extended duration. It could be caused by nutritional deficiency, nerve damage, or compression such as a compressed spine cord or a pinched nerve system.

The fact that you sweat can be an indication of anxiety. According to NIMH, your body pumps more water to the sweat glands when anxious or stressed. That can also cause you to feel cold in your feet and hands because the body pulls blood away from these areas to protect its major organs.

Anxiety is often accompanied by persistent feelings of fatigue and exhaustion. You may be experiencing anxiety due to an ongoing fight-or-flight response, or because you are having difficulties sleeping. A psychiatrist or a medical specialist can offer suggestions on how you can get better sleep, including adopting healthy habits and avoiding alcohol and caffeine at night.

Weakness

The body's fight-or flight response can kick in when you feel fear or anxiety. Your brain is signaling the sympathetic nervous system to release hormones like adrenaline. This increases your heart rate and enables blood to flow faster to your large muscles so that you can flee or fend off a threat. In time, however this constant state of mind can wear down your muscles and cause you to feel weak.

Muscles that are tight and painful can lead to headaches as well as aches and pains and other physical symptoms of health anxiety problems. If you're scared or anxious your body tenses and, if it occurs repeatedly this can result in tension headaches. Muscles in the neck and shoulder that are tight can also trigger migraines.

If you're experiencing stomach discomfort it could be an indication of anxiety too. Your digestive system is directly connected to your mood. People who suffer from anxiety are more likely to have digestive issues, such as constipation and stomachaches.

Weakness is also a symptom associated with anxiety, as it can affect the immune system and make you more vulnerable to infection. A prolonged period of high levels of stress hormones, like those experienced by people with anxiety, can affect the immune system's capacity to battle bacteria.

Dr. Barsky says that the first step to identifying and managing anxiety is to stop, assess your situation and then take action. If you can identify that your physical symptoms stem from a constant state of stress and worry, you can take steps in order to break the cycle. "Distract yourself," he suggests, saying that something as easy as watering your plants or making the jigsaw puzzle could help.

Lightheadedness

Anxiety can make you feel dizzy, unbalanced or as if the entire world is spinning. This can be a very troubling feeling and can also prevent you from being active, going out, or engaging in activities you enjoy. The anxiety-related dizziness is sometimes referred to as Vertigo however it could be a sign of a condition in the inner ear like Benign Peripheral Persistent Dizziness (BPPV).

Stress response, also known as "fight or run" in the body releases chemicals and hormones to prepare you for the possibility of danger. This can increase the heart rate and breathing as well as changing the amount of oxygen being pumped to the brain. This may cause a brief feeling of lightheadedness. That's why you might feel it before giving a speech or when you are in a busy room. If your anxiety is chronic and you are experiencing this without a clear reason, it could be a sign of an anxiety disorder.

The nausea that is caused by anxiety can last for the entire day or even for a longer period of time. It is also referred to as Chronic Subjective Dizziness or Persistent Perceptual-Postural Dizziness (PPPD). If you suffer from a medical condition that also causes this, you should see your doctor to get an accurate diagnosis.

If you're not experiencing any health issues but feel dizzy when anxious, you can try to calm yourself by taking deep breaths or by focusing your eyes on the same area. Many ballet dancers who suffer from this type of dizziness experience relief from this technique while performing. If this doesn't work you, you can always contact a friend or family member to discuss your anxiety and how they can support you. This can help ease your symptoms and prevent them from spiraling out-of-control.

Mouth dryness

If you're stressed, your breathing and heart rate are likely to change. As part of your fight or flight response your body releases stress hormones adrenaline and cortisol which raise the rate at which you breathe in order to increase the oxygen flow to your bloodstream. If your anxiety and overthinking symptoms is chronic and you are constantly releasing stress hormones can cause long-term health effects. It can affect your digestion in a manner that is physically harmful, such as stomach pains, bloating, and diarrhea.

In addition to altering your heart rate and blood pressure, stress hormones can also cause you to feel exhausted or short of breath. This is often the case in stressful situations, such as when you're preparing an important event, or during an anxiety attack. It can also happen if you are constantly anxious and for no apparent reason.

It's not uncommon for people with anxiety issues to experience digestive issues. According to the APA, people who experience these symptoms regularly should seek out a mental health professional.

The most important thing to keep in mind is anxiety can be very difficult on your body, and you're definitely not the only one. If you're worried about your feelings contact a GP or therapist. They can assess whether your feelings are linked to a specific issue or if you have an anxiety disorder symptoms-related condition. They can also provide you with details and suggestions on how to manage what anxiety symptoms. This could include suggesting certain therapies or medications, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). Keep active and take plenty of sleep. You can also practice exercises to relax such as guided imagery or deep breathing, to help ease the symptoms.

Tension

Anxiety can cause the body to feel tense and uncomfortable. It can be painful. The brain sends signals that signal other parts of the system to prepare for a fight-or flight scenario. This can lead to an increase in the size of stomach muscles, and the sensation of a stomach ache. This isn't something to ignore because it could lead to serious digestive issues like irritable bowels syndrome or ulcers on the stomach lining.

Heart palpitations are a common sign. They are characterized by rapid and irregular heartbeats. This happens when the stress hormones cortisol and adrenaline are released into the body. These hormones can raise the speed at which the heart beats and also increase the amount oxygen that is circulated throughout the body. The body doesn't have to be alert all the time. If it is, it'll become tired and weak.

Sweating, cold feet and hands, as well as light-headedness are also symptoms of Anxiety Chest Pain symptoms. They are caused by an increased blood flow to the major organs as well as the muscles. This is part of the fight or flight response, which prepares the body for a risky situation. It is triggered by real dangers or simply by thinking about them. The amygdala, an area of the brain that manages emotional responses, can react to fearful thoughts and cause these physical sensations.

Breathing quickly and shallowly can also exacerbate anxiety symptoms. This is referred to as hyperventilation, and can disrupt the balance of carbon dioxide and oxygen in the bloodstream according to the U.S. National Library of Medicine. This can lead to dizziness and tingling in the hands and feet.