Physical psychosomatic symptoms of anxiety of Anxiety
The fight-or flight response is designed to help us escape or confront danger, but anxiety can keep our bodies on alert and create physical symptoms. These could include:
Get regular check-ups. Untreated anxiety can cause heart problems and other medical ailments. Consult your physician to find out ways to manage these symptoms. For example, you can reduce caffeine consumption and stay clear of drinking alcohol and recreational substances.
Muscles that are tight
Anxiety is often caused by muscle tension. It can cause pain or stiffness in your back, neck, chest, and shoulders as well as in your feet, hands, or stomach. The stress caused by anxiety can also affect your posture and breathing.
The muscle tension that is associated with anxiety tends to last only a short time and typically disappears once the triggering event or circumstance has passed. For some people however, the tension may be persistent and lead to long-term problems.
The tightness of your muscles could be an indicator of anxiety as the fight-or-flight stress response causes your body to prepare itself for danger by pumping more blood into muscles, which increases their strength and supplies them with more oxygen so they can fight or escape a physical danger. The increased flow of blood is the reason why your heart beats faster and why you breathe faster when you are anxious.
In the case of an occasional separation anxiety symptoms attack, the increased blood flow and rapid breathing can give your immune system a temporary boost that can help you get through a perceived threat or stressful situation. If you are constantly experiencing anxiety the increased alertness may become a part of your everyday life and cause persistent, chronic symptoms such as breathing difficulties and muscle tightness.
A lot of the physical symptoms of anxiety, including fatigue and achy muscles and joints are the result of your body's release a flood of hormones and chemicals into your system as it prepares to fight or flee from a perceived threat. The continuous state of alertness can make you feel exhausted and feel as if you suffer from a constant headache or stomachache.
Heart rate changes
Anxiety can make your heart beat faster, which can cause chest discomfort and a shortness of breath. This is because a person's stress response triggers adrenal glands to pump out hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline, which raise the heart rate and blood pressure. This is a helpful response in situations of real emergency in situations where you have to pump more blood to your large muscles so that you can flee or combat threats. It can be dangerous if you do it continuously every day, as it increases your risk of heart disease.
You might also notice that your stomach becomes more agitated when you're stressed. The body's fight or flight reaction can keep you alert and affect digestion. This can lead to covid symptoms anxiety like constipation, abdominal discomfort or irritablebowel syndrome. People with anxiety may also experience sleep issues or have a harder time sleeping due to being on edge all the time. The constant increase in stress hormones can degrade the immune system which makes it more susceptible to get the common cold or other illnesses.
Speak to your doctor If you are experiencing these physical symptoms. They can check if there are any medical conditions that could cause similar symptoms. For example thyroid issues. It's an excellent idea to locate a mental health professional who can help you discover methods to manage your anxiety so that physical symptoms stop occurring. They might recommend therapies like psychodynamic psychotherapy or cognitive behavioral therapy, which can help you replace negative thoughts with positive ones. It's also best to avoid taking your pulse, as checking it can trigger feelings of anxiety.
Tingling in the feet and hands
A sensation of tingling in your feet or hands can be an indication of anxiety. Tingling in your hands or feet is also referred to as paresthesia and is a sign of the body's stress response, that is caused by anxiety. In the event of a panic attack or other intense feelings, your body releases hormones like adrenaline or cortisol to shield yourself from perceived danger or harm. These hormones trigger a variety of physical responses, including changes in your blood circulation.
As part of the fight or flight response the body redirects blood flow away peripheral areas to the major muscle groups that could need help with potential physical actions. This can leave hands and feet with reduced blood flow, which can cause a tingling sensation. The tingling will probably be more apparent during times of stress or anxiety and will likely go away as tension eases.
If your tingling continues You should talk to your doctor. They can help you manage your anxiety, and relieve the tingling sensations in your feet and hands.
While tingling sensations in your feet or hands could be an indication of a serious medical issue, they are most often caused by stress. Exercise regularly to increase blood flow or practice relaxation techniques. It is crucial to get enough sleep as anxiety can impact your sleep habits. Limiting your caffeine and alcohol consumption can also help. Contact the FastMed Urgent Care to speak with a medical professional about your symptoms if there is the sensation of numbness or tingling in your feet or hands.
Dry mouth
If you're stressed, your body can start to change the way it produces saliva. This condition is known as dry mouth and could indicate that you have anxiety. It is a possible side-effect of certain medications like antidepressants and antipsychotics.
If you suffer from dry mouth, it's essential to consult with a physician. They can rule out medical conditions that could be the cause of the issue. If your doctor concludes that you have anxiety, they may suggest treatment options.
Anxiety can cause dry mouth as a result of the stress hormones adrenaline and cortisol which are released when you feel anxious or scared. These hormones can raise the rate of breathing and heart rate to help you run or fight against threats but they can also disrupt your digestion and cause other physical symptoms.
You might also notice dry mouth if under stress or taking medications that decrease saliva production. SSRIs (which are typically prescribed to alleviate anxiety) can cause dryness in the mouth. These medications are effective by blocking the actions of acetylcholine. It is a neurotransmitter in involuntary muscle movements and bodily functions, such as salivation, digestion, and urination.
If you experience dry mouth and experience anxiety, it is recommended to drink plenty of fluids and practice relaxation techniques. If your anxiety is serious, a mental health professional might suggest other treatment for anxiety symptoms options such as cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) and exposure response prevention, and other complementary health practices like yoga and meditation.
Breathing shortness
This sensation of a shortness in breath could be a sign of anxiety, whether it occurs when you exercise or elsewhere during the daytime. This symptom is associated with various types of anxiety disorders, such as generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety, and panic disorders. Anxiety can often cause tension in the muscles, leading to the feeling of being out-of-breath, especially in the shoulders or back region. These tensions can also result in the cycle of depression and anxiety that can anxiety cause physical symptoms further aggravate the physical symptoms.
The reason that anxiety may trigger this and other physical responses is related to the body's fight-orflight response. This reaction is essential to respond to threats but if it is triggered long-term by chronic anxiety, it may result in negative consequences.
When you feel anxious, the body can't distinguish that you're not in danger and there isn't a real reason to feel this way. This can cause you to feel like you are always in danger, even if you're not. That's why it's so crucial to work with mental health experts.
If you're stressed your body releases a number of stress hormones. These hormones cause your body to react like you are in danger. This could include feeling short of breath. This what is anxiety physical Symptoms a typical response, but it may be difficult to distinguish from other illnesses or conditions that could trigger this symptom. This can be caused by heart disease, a clot of blood in the lung, or pneumonia. It is important to speak with your physician or health professional so they can run tests to determine if you have an underlying problem that may be causing this feeling.(Image: https://www.iampsychiatry.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/iampsychiatry-logo-wide.png)
