This Is The Anxiety Symptoms Physical Case Study You'll Never Forget
Are Anxiety Symptoms Physical?
Most people know that worry and fear are signs of anxiety. The physical symptoms of anxiety are more alarming and may even be a sign of heart attacks.
If your concerns and physical symptoms interfere with daily life you should seek help before they get any worse. Your doctor may conduct tests to rule out medical causes for your symptoms.
Pain or Pressure in the Chest
The symptoms of anxiety can include chest pain, which can be initially frightening. Many people worry that they're having a heart attack when they feel chest pressure. However, it's more likely that the symptoms are caused by anxiety than anything else more serious.
When a person experiences anxiety, their brain and body release an immediate stress response. This can be a physical response like sweating, nausea, and a shortness of breathe. It could also be accompanied by tight muscles, tingling hands and feet. This is known as the fight-or-flight response, and it's designed to aid those in a risky situation.
The pain in the chest due to anxiety can feel like an intense or stabbing sensation that is centered in the chest. The pain is usually followed by a feeling of heavyness or pressure. It typically subsides within a matter of minutes. People who have anxiety can also feel this pain in their arms, shoulders or jaws.
A heartbeat that is rapid can be another typical indication. It may feel as if the heart is racing or skipping beats. This is a sign of the heart working harder to bring more oxygen into the bloodstream.
If you are experiencing chest discomfort or other signs of anxiety, it's important to consult your doctor. 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 manage the symptoms.
Numbness or Tingling of the Legs and Arms
The feeling of being numb in your arms or legs can be an uncomfortable anxiety symptom. It may be a feeling that comes and goes or is experienced on a regular basis. It is frequently associated with other symptoms of anxiety like sweating, headaches, or shortness in breath. It could be an isolated indication of excessive or chronic anxiety.
Tingling in the feet or hands could be an indication that you are feeling anxious. These sensations could be a result of the fight-or-flight response. When you are frightened, the body prepares for action by increasing blood flow to muscles and other organs, and reducing it in areas that aren't vital in an emergency situation. This redirected flow could cause numbness of the extremities.
While it's important to understand that not every tingling and feeling of numbness is due to anxiety, it's equally important to realize that the symptom can be caused by other medical conditions like nerve damage, diabetes or an infection. The best way to determine if there is an underlying problem is to make an appointment with your healthcare provider.
When you are able to manage your anxiety and worry, your anxiety will reduce, and this can reduce numbness caused by anxiety in the extremities. Try relaxation techniques, self-care strategies, or talk to a trusted person about your concerns. If you are still struggling with anxiety look into joining an anxiety support group. Many people find that having a person to talk to helps ease the pressure. There are a variety of anxiety coping strategies on the internet, including yoga and meditation. Alternatively, you can ask your GP for advice or suggest counselling services.
Fainting or weakness
A person suffering from anxiety might be prone to fainting or weakness due to a lack of blood flow to the muscles and brain. This can be a terrifying experience, as it can appear as if something is going on. Inform your doctor if feel weak or faint so they can determine if there is a underlying health issue. This includes monitoring your blood pressure and heart rate, as well as thyroid and other medical conditions that could be causing the symptoms.
If you suspect you suffer from anxiety, you should talk to your doctor about the signs and how they affect your life. Your doctor can help you determine what's causing anxiety and offer solutions. They'll begin by conducting a physical exam and will also inquire about your health history and any medications you're taking (including over-the-counter, herbal remedies and recreational drugs).
Certain people develop anxiety disorders as a result of an event that was traumatizing or stressful in their life. Others have a genetic predisposition to develop them, and some use certain medications that could trigger an anxiety disorder. It isn't known what causes anxiety disorders but the brain could release stress hormones in response to anxiety or stress. These hormones can have long-term health effects.
People suffering from anxiety often cut off from family and friends and avoid certain activities or places and spend hours seeking comfort to ease their anxieties. This can result in social isolation and depression. Mental health treatment can assist people to stop anxious behaviors as well as to accept bodily sensations and deal with worrying thoughts. Certain types of therapy, like cognitive-behavioral therapy, are especially beneficial for those suffering from health anxiety.
Braced or Tense Muscles
For the majority of people, anxiety-related muscle tension is a brief feeling that goes away once the stressful experience has ended. For certain, however, anxiety-related muscle tension is persistent, lasting for weeks or even days. This can cause stiffness and aches in the backs, shoulders and chests, faces, necks, stomachs, and other parts of the body.
Stress triggers a variety of physical reactions to prepare your body for fight or flight. This includes an increase in blood circulation to muscles, which means they can react quickly, and also muscle tension. This is a normal response that allows you to escape danger and handle emergencies. If your body is always on alert, which is often the case with chronic anxiety, this can result in long-term health issues.
Hyperstimulation is one of the most frequently cited causes. It occurs when your body's survival instinct gets triggered repeatedly. This can lead to your body getting stuck in the fight or flight response, which causes you to have anxiety-induced symptoms such as a rapid heartbeat, tension in your muscles, dizziness or anxiety.
Encouragement and support can help someone who is experiencing these symptoms frequently stop the cycle. You can also distract your friend by inviting him to look through an album of photos or wash his clothes. This will help to take his mind off of his anxiety. Encourage them to speak with an expert in mental health or a doctor for an assessment. This could include a medical exam or lab tests to rule out any other health concerns.
Dry Mouth
If you are feeling anxious, your body's fight-or-flight stress response is activated. This releases a rush of adrenaline and other hormones into your bloodstream, increasing your pulse rate and breathing, ensuring that you get more oxygen to get to your brain. These effects can prepare you for an emergency however, they can also leave you feeling uneasy and tired.
It is possible that you have dry mouth when are stressed. The dry mouth could appear to be dehydrated however this is typically not the case. Dry mouth is a result of heightened arousal in your nervous system, which could also cause an increase in the production of acid in your stomach.
When you are anxious you may find yourself breathing through your nose, rather than through your mouth. This can result in excessive swallowing that dry out the throat. This can be a side-effect of a variety of anxiety medications, like antidepressants.
Try chewing sugar-free gum or drinking water to boost salivation If you suffer from 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 medication, you may want to try relaxation techniques or therapy to manage your anxiety. You should seek treatment immediately if you begin to notice signs of anxiety, in order to prevent the condition from getting worse. Iampsychiatry can find a therapist on BetterHelp that has more than 20,000 licensed therapists who provide affordable and efficient online therapy. Begin your online evaluation for free to find the right therapist. This article originally appeared on Anxiety UK.