Don't Make This Silly Mistake With Your Anxiety Symptoms Physical
Are Anxiety Symptoms Physical?
The majority of people are aware that fear and anxiety are symptoms of anxiety. But the physical effects of anxiety are more alarming and could like those of a heart attack.
If your physical and mental symptoms interfere with daily life, seek help before they get worse. Your doctor will likely run tests to rule out a medical explanation for your symptoms.
Pressure or pain in the chest
Pain in the chest can be a sign of anxiety and it can be a frightening experience when it first occurs. Some people fear they are experiencing 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.
If someone experiences anxiety, their brain and body send out an immediate stress response. This is characterized by a physiological change and physical reactions, including nausea, sweating, shortness of breath, tight muscles, tingling sensations in the feet or hands and chest pain. This is known as the fight or flight response, and is designed to assist someone in a potentially dangerous situation.
The chest pain associated with anxiety can be described as a stabbing or sharp sensation in the center of the chest. It's typically associated with a feeling of heaviness or crushing pressure and the pain typically is gone within a few minutes. Anxiety can cause pain in the arms, shoulders or jaw.
A rapid heartbeat can be another frequent indication. It can appear as if the heart is racing or skipping beats. This is a sign the heart is working harder to bring oxygen into the bloodstream, and this may cause chest pain.
If you are experiencing chest discomfort or other signs of anxiety, it's important to consult an expert. They can pinpoint the root of the problem and rule out a heart issue like coronary artery disease. If the doctor concludes that anxiety is the reason the issue, he can prescribe medication or psychotherapy to alleviate the symptoms.
Numbness or Tingling in the Arms or Legs
It can be extremely unsettling to feel numbness in your legs or arms. It can happen and disappear, or it might be a regular feeling that is present on a daily basis. Numbness can be associated with other anxiety symptoms like sweating, headache, or a shortness of breath. It could be an isolated manifestation or a sign of chronic or excessive anxiety.
Tingling sensations in the hands and feet could also be a sign of anxiety. These sensations could be the result of a reaction to fight or flight. When you feel scared, the body prepares for actions by increasing blood flow to muscles and vital organs, and reducing it in areas that aren't crucial in a fight or flight situation. The redirected blood flow may cause numbness to the extremities.
It is crucial to recognize that not all tingling and Numbness are due to anxiety. The symptoms could be caused by other medical conditions, like nerve damage, diabetes or an infection. To rule out an underlying problem, you should make an appointment with a doctor.
If you can manage your stress, your anxiety will also decrease, which can eliminate anxiety-induced numbness in the extremities. Try relaxation techniques, self-care strategies, or speak to a trusted ally about your worries. Consider joining an anxiety support group if your worries persist. Many people find that having a person to talk to can ease the stress. There are various anxiety-fighting strategies on the internet, including yoga and meditation. Alternatively, you can consult your GP for advice or recommend counseling services.
Fainting or weakness
A person suffering from anxiety might experience weakness or fainting due to a lack of blood flow to the brain and muscles. This can be a scary experience, as it could make you feel like there's something wrong in your body. It is essential to inform your doctor about any weakness or fainting you have so that they can determine if there is an underlying health issue. This includes monitoring your blood pressure, heart rate, thyroid and other medical conditions which could be causing the symptoms.
If you think you're suffering from anxiety, you should discuss with your doctor the signs and how they impact your life. Your doctor can help you determine what's causing anxiety and offer options for treatment. They will begin with a physical exam and ask about your medical history, including any over-the-counter or herbal medication and recreational drugs and other medicines.
Certain people develop anxiety disorders due to an event that was traumatizing or stressful in their lives. Certain individuals are genetically inclined to develop anxiety disorders, while others are taking medications that trigger them. It's unclear what causes anxiety disorders but the brain could release stress hormones in response to a person's anxiety or stress. general anxiety symptoms can have long-term negative health effects.
People who suffer from anxiety tend to are unable to connect with family and friends, avoid certain places or activities and spend a lot of time seeking comfort to ease their anxieties. This can lead social depression and isolation. Treatment for mental health can help individuals stop worrying, accept body sensations and manage thoughts of worry. Certain kinds of therapy are particularly effective for health anxiety, including cognitive therapy for behavior.
Muscles are tense or braced
For the majority of people, anxiety-induced muscle tension is a brief sensation that fades after the stressful situation has passed. However, some people suffer from anxiety-induced muscle tension that lasts for weeks or even days. This can lead to discomfort, stiffness and aches in the shoulders, back neck, chest, face, or stomach, as well as other areas of the body.
Stress triggers a variety of physical reactions to prepare your body for flight or fight. This includes an increase in blood flow to the muscles, so they can react quickly, and also muscle tension. This is a normal response that helps you to escape danger and handle emergencies. But, if your body is on high alert all the time, as it can be with chronic anxiety, these symptoms can be long-term issues.
Hyperstimulation is one of the most frequently cited causes. This occurs when your body's survival instinct gets triggered repeatedly. This can result in your body being stuck in the fight or flight response, which causes you to experience anxiety-related symptoms like a heartbeat that is pounding, dizziness, tight muscles, or anxiety.
Support and encouragement can help someone who is experiencing these symptoms regularly stop the cycle. You can distract them by asking them to do something like go through an album of photos or clean the house in order to distract them from their anxiety. Encourage them to speak with an expert in mental health or physician for an evaluation. This could involve a medical examination or laboratory tests to eliminate any other health issues.
Dry Mouth
When you feel anxiety the body's fight-or-flight response kicks into action. This causes a surge in adrenaline and other hormones, to get into your bloodstream. It also increases the rate of your pulse and breathing to allow more oxygen to reach your brain. These effects prepare you for an emergency situation, but they can cause you to feel tired and uncomfortable.
You might also experience a dry mouth when you are stressed. The dry mouth may appear to be dehydrated, but this is usually not the situation. Dry mouth is caused by your nervous system's hyperarousal. This could cause your stomach to produce more acid.
When you're stressed, you will often breathe through your nose instead of through your mouth. This can result in excessive swallowing that dry out the throat. This can also be an effect of some anxiety medications, including antidepressants.
If you're suffering from dry mouth, try sipping water or chewing sugar-free gum to increase saliva production. Consult your doctor if taking a medication that causes dryness of the mouth.
If you have a dry mouth, and it isn't getting better with medication, try relaxation techniques or therapy. This will aid in managing your anxiety. It is important to seek treatment for anxiety-related symptoms as soon as they appear, so that you do not let the problem get worse. You can find an online therapist at BetterHelp that has more than 20,000 licensed therapists offering convenient and affordable online therapy. Start your online assessment and be placed with a therapist that is right for you. This article was originally published on Anxiety UK.