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Physical Symptoms of Anxiety Disorder Although everyone experiences anxiety at times When anxiety becomes a problem, it can cause physical symptoms as well as emotional ones. This can include a feeling of tension in the muscles, restlessness and stomach issues. A psychiatrist, psychologist or therapist will use screening tools to determine if you have anxiety disorders. They will also ask you about your medical history, and perform tests to rule out other health conditions that may cause similar symptoms. 1. Headaches Most people feel anxious occasionally. An anxiety disorder is when these symptoms are continuous or more frequent. Anxiety can also interfere with your everyday life or cause you to avoid social situations.1 The most frequent physical sign of anxiety are headaches. They can range from an average tension headache2 to a full-blown migraine for some people. This is because a lot of people tighten their muscles as part of their fight-or-flight response and securing those muscles in a rigid position for long periods of time can lead to pain.3 Another physical sign of anxiety is dizziness or lightheadedness. This could be due to rapid heart rate, hyperventilating or an amalgamation of both. It could also be a sign that you have an underlying medical condition such as heart disease. Consult your physician to determine. You may also feel weak, particularly in your legs or arms. This could be a sign of stress. This is because your nervous system releases adrenaline and cortisol which help you react to a danger by accelerating the heartbeat and preparing your body for a potential attack. Over time, these hormones can have a negative effect on your health, making you feel weak, shakey or dizzy. You may experience worse symptoms if your stressed and are having trouble sleeping. Try to take a break before bed and stick to a regular routine so that you can sleep better. Exercise can also be helpful. Brisk aerobic activity can release brain chemicals that cut stress and boost your mood. It can help you fall asleep easier. Talk to your doctor if you are still struggling to sleep. 2. Stomach issues Anxiety can cause your body to tighten up and chronic anxiety may lead to persistent pain. You might experience stomach discomfort, muscle pain or diarrhea. The digestive system of your body can be affected by the constant release of stress hormones, which can cause constipation, bloating or irritable bowel syndrome. People suffering from panic disorders are at greater risk of stomach problems. Panic attacks are sudden sensations of fear or imminent doom that happen in specific circumstances or without explanation, according to the American Psychiatric Association. You might feel as if you're experiencing an attack of the heart or that you're not breathing, and you may experience chest pain and a rapid heartbeat. Long-term anxiety can increase your risk of developing other health issues. The hormones that trigger the symptoms of anxiety assist us in responding to danger and if you're constantly in high alert throughout the day, your immune system can be affected. This can make you more susceptible to the common cold, as well as other diseases. Your doctor can diagnose anxiety disorders by conducting a a physical exam and interviewing you about your symptoms. Before diagnosing anxiety, they'll rule out other causes, such as heart disease and thyroid problems. A mental health professional will be able to provide assistance and assist in managing your symptoms. They can assist you in learning relaxation techniques and help you work through any negative or traumatic experiences that may have caused your anxiety. They can also aid you in finding the appropriate treatment for you. Ask your doctor for a referral or look up online directories of therapists to find an anxiety specialist. 3. Muscle tension Although most people are aware that a heart racing and hands that are jittery are indicators of anxiety, many people do not know that muscle tension is a physical indication of anxiety disorders such as generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) as well as social anxiety disorder (SAD) panic disorder, or certain phobias. If someone is suffering from these symptoms on a regular basis, they can lose their range of motion and suffer from chronic discomfort in their back, neck and shoulders. Tense muscles are a typical manifestation of anxiety disorder since the body's fight-or flight response triggers a cascade of bodily reactions that trigger us to physically react to perceived threats. These responses are a natural part of our survival instincts, however, they can lead to long-term problems if they are repeated or occur over a prolonged period of time. When a real threat occurs the adrenal glands crank out hormones that increase the rate at which your heart beats, so that it can pump more blood to the massive muscles in your legs and arms in case you need to flee or fight the danger. The increased heart rates also increase the rate of your lungs filling up with oxygen. This combination of increased stress and hyperventilation can cause you to feel dizzy or lightheaded. When you have an anxiety disorder, however your body isn't able to return to its normal state of relaxation between stress reactions. You feel anxious throughout the day due to your anxiety disorder, which is why you keep your sympathetic nervous system in high alert. According to the American Psychological Association, this could lead to chronic muscle tension and lasting pain. It can also affect the digestive system causing stomachaches, constipation, diarrhea or irritable-bowel syndrome. 4. Dizziness You might be shaky or unbalanced when you are stressed. The reason for this has to do with the nervous system response to anxiety. Your body tenses up when you think of something that scares or worries you, and then it relaxes once the threat passes. If, however, your anxiety is chronic and you experience these symptoms regularly, you may be diagnosed with an anxiety disorder. When you're worried frequently it can be difficult to focus or sleep enough. It also wreaks havoc on your body and may cause you to gain weight, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Anxiety also has a big influence on the menstrual cycle. According to the American Psychological Association, anxiety can cause you to skip your menstrual cycle or experience irregular menstrual cycles by altering hormones that trigger menstrual ovulation. You may be more prone to anxiety if you have high blood pressure or heart problems. It's important to control these medical conditions to reduce your risk. If you have these conditions, make sure to inform your therapist. Other factors that increase your risk for anxiety are traumatic events such as being involved in a car accident or having surgery. Anxiety can be caused by a chronic illness, like asthma or diabetes or a chronic medical illness. The good news is that there are treatments which can alleviate anxiety disorders. Psychotherapy or talk therapy such as cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) can help. CBT teaches you how to change negative thoughts and behaviors that trigger anxiety into positive ones. You can also learn relaxation techniques like meditation and deep breathing. You can also take supplements to calm your mind and body. 5. Sweating Anxiety is a broad term for a variety of frightening feelings that could make your heart race and your stomach turn a bit upset, and your muscles tight. Most of the time, these feelings aren't enough to cause anxiety disorder—but when they're chronic and become out of control. You may also experience sweating, chills and other physical symptoms which make you seek medical help. Sweating is a typical physical manifestation of anxiety disorders according to the National Institute of Mental Health. When your body's “fight-or-flight” response kicks in it increases the rate of blood circulation to prepare you for the fight. This increased heart rate may make you feel dizzy or out of breath. 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. Dyspnea is a feeling that you are unable to breathe. This is a sign your anxiety has become too intense to manage. Your healthcare provider will assess your anxiety for a disorder in light of your symptoms and how they impact your daily routine. You'll be asked about your past experiences and current concerns. They might also conduct tests to determine if you have any other health problems that could be contributing to your symptoms, including bloodwork and imaging scanners. In certain instances they may recommend medication to help ease your symptoms, such as powerful antiperspirants made of aluminium, nerve blocker drugs, or botulinum toxin type A (Botox) injections in the sweat glands. Alternative treatments include cognitive behavior therapy, psychotherapy, and relaxation techniques like yoga or meditation.