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Physical Symptoms of Anxiety Disorder While everyone feels anxious at times When anxiety becomes an illness, it can trigger physical symptoms as well as emotional ones. This can include a feeling of restlessness, muscular tension, stomach issues and more. A psychiatrist, psychologist or therapist may use screening tools to determine if you have an anxiety disorder. They will also inquire about your medical history, and run tests to rule other medical conditions that could cause similar symptoms. 1. Headaches The majority of people experience anxiety at times. But that's different from being diagnosed with an anxiety disorder, which is when the symptoms are more frequent or do not disappear. Anxiety can affect your daily routine and cause you to avoid social situations. Headaches are a typical physical symptom that is associated with anxiety. They can range from the average tension headache2 to a complete migraine in a few people. Many people tighten their muscles in a fight or flight response, and holding them in a rigid position for a long time could cause pain. Another physical sign of anxiety is dizziness or lightheadedness. It can be caused by a fast heart rate, hyperventilating, or an amalgamation of both. It could be a sign you suffer from an illness that is serious, such as heart disease. Talk to your doctor to find out. You may also feel weak in the arms or legs this could be another indication of anxiety. This is because your nervous system releases adrenaline and cortisol which help you react to a danger by accelerating the heartbeat and preparing your entire body for a potential attack. Over time the hormones can have a negative impact on your health, causing you feel weak, shaky or dizzy. You may experience worse symptoms if you are stressed and having difficulty sleeping. Try to unwind before bed and adhere to an established routine so that you can sleep better. Exercise can be beneficial. Aerobic exercise can release brain chemicals that reduce stress and improve your mood, and it can aid in falling asleep more easily. If you still have trouble sleeping, talk to your doctor about possible treatment options. 2. Stomach problems The body tightens up in response to anxiety, and if you have chronic anxiety it can cause chronic discomfort. There may be muscle aches, stomach discomfort or diarrhea. Stress hormones can also impact your digestive system, leading to constipation or irritable bowel syndrome. People suffering from panic disorders are at an increased risk of having stomach issues. Panic attacks are sudden, intense feelings of fear or dread that occur in specific situations or for no reason according to the American Psychiatric Association. It could feel like you are having a heartattack or that you cannot breathe. You might also experience chest pains and an intense pulse. Chronic anxiety can increase your risk for other health issues as well. The hormones that trigger anxiety symptoms assist us in responding to danger and if you're constantly always on alert throughout the day, your immune system can be affected. This can make you more vulnerable to catching the common cold as well as other illnesses. Your doctor can diagnose anxiety disorders by conducting a an examination of your body and asking you about your symptoms. They will rule out other causes, like thyroid issues or heart disease prior to determining you have anxiety. A mental health professional will be able to offer you assistance and support in managing your symptoms. They can assist you in learning techniques for relaxation and work through any underlying negative or traumatic experiences that may have caused anxiety. They can also help you in locating the best treatment for you. Ask your doctor to refer you or look online for directories that feature an anxiety specialist. 3. Muscle tension While most people know that a racing heart and jittery hands are signs of anxiety, a lot of people don't realize that muscle tension is a physical indication of anxiety disorders such as generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), social anxiety disorder (SAD) panic disorder, or certain fears. When a person experiences these symptoms regularly they could begin to lose their range of motion and experience persistent pain in the back, neck and shoulders. Tense muscles are a common sign of anxiety disorders because the body's fight-or flight response triggers a chain of bodily reactions that result in us physically reacting to perceived threats. These responses are a natural part of our survival instincts however, they can cause long-term problems if they are repeated over a long time. If a serious threat is present the adrenal glands crank out hormones that speed up the rate at which your heart beats to ensure it can pump more blood to the large muscles in your arms and legs in the event that you need to escape or fight the danger. The increased heart rate can increase the rate that your lungs fill up with oxygen. The combination of increased stress and hyperventilation can make you feel dizzy or lightheaded. When you have an anxiety disorder, your body isn't able to return to its normal state of rest between stress-related responses. The anxiety disorder makes you feel constantly anxious and your sympathetic nervous system remains in high alert. According to the American Psychological Association, this can cause chronic muscle tension and long-term pain. It can also affect the digestive system causing stomachaches, diarrhea, constipation or irritable-bowel syndrome. 4. Dizziness You may feel dizzy or out of balance if you are anxious. This is because of the nervous system's response to anxiety. When you are anxious or worried, your body tenses and then it relaxes. If, however, your anxiety is recurring and you experience these symptoms regularly, you may be diagnosed with an anxiety disorder. If you're constantly stressed on a regular basis, it can be hard to concentrate or sleep enough. According to the Cleveland Clinic, it can also cause your body to suffer and you may gain weight. Anxiety also has a major effect on your menstrual cycle. This is because it can cause you to skip or have irregular menstrual flow due to the inability to release ovulation-inducing hormones, according to the American Psychological Association. High blood pressure or heart disease could make you more prone to anxiety, which is why it's crucial to get these medical issues under control to lower your risk. If you have these conditions, make sure to inform your therapist. Other factors that increase your risk for anxiety are traumatizing experiences such as being involved in a car crash or having surgery. Anxiety can be triggered by chronic illnesses, such as diabetes or asthma or a chronic medical illness. 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 relaxation techniques such as deep breathing and meditation. You can also take supplements to calm your mind and body. 5. Sweating Anxiety is a term that covers an array of emotions that can cause your heart to race, your stomach to upset and your muscles to tighten. Sometimes, these symptoms aren't enough to constitute anxiety disorder—but when they're chronic, they can get out of hand. There are also sweating, chills or other physical symptoms that require medical attention. According to the National Institute of Mental Health sweating is a typical physical manifestation of anxiety disorders. When panic anxiety disorder or flight response is activated, it increases the rate at which your blood circulates to prepare you for fight or escape. 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. This imbalance could also lead to the feeling of not being able to breathe, which is called dyspnea. This is a sign that your anxiety has become too severe to handle. Your healthcare provider will assess your anxiety for a disorder in light of your symptoms and how they affect your daily life. They'll begin by asking about your previous experiences and current concerns. They may also conduct tests to check for other health problems that could be causing your symptoms, such as bloodwork and imaging scanners. In certain instances, they might prescribe medications to alleviate the symptoms. These include strong antiperspirants that contain aluminium and other drugs that block nerves, or Botox injections in the sweat glands. Alternative treatments include psychotherapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, and relaxation techniques such as yoga or meditation.