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Physical Symptoms of Anxiety Disorder While everyone feels anxious at times When anxiety becomes a disorder it can cause physical symptoms, as well as emotional ones. These include a sense of anxiety, muscle tension, and stomach problems. A psychologist, psychiatrist or therapist will use screening tools to determine whether you have an anxiety disorder. They will also ask you about your medical history, and perform tests to rule out any other health conditions that can cause similar symptoms. 1. Headaches Most people feel anxious occasionally. But that's different from being diagnosed with an anxiety disorder, which is when the symptoms are more frequent or don't go away. Anxiety can affect your daily routine or cause you to avoid social situations.1 One of the most common physical symptoms of anxiety is headaches. They can range from the average tension headache2 to a full-blown migraine for some people. This is due to the fact that many people tighten their muscles in response to the fight or flight response and holding their muscles for prolonged periods of time can lead to pain.3 Dizziness or lightheadedness is another physical symptom of anxiety. This could be caused by a rapid heart rate, hyperventilating, or an amalgamation of the two. It could also be an indication of a major medical problem such as heart disease, which is why it's important to get examined by your physician. You may also feel weak in the arms or legs this could be another sign of anxiety. This is because your nervous system releases adrenaline and cortisol, which helps you respond to danger by accelerating the heartbeat and preparing your body for an attack. In time, however, those hormones may have a negative effect on your health, and can make you feel shaky, weak, or dizzy. If you're having difficulty getting enough sleep due to anxiety, it could make your symptoms worse. Try to take a break before bed and stick to an established routine to get more rest. Exercise can also be beneficial. Exercise can also help. If you're still having difficulty sleeping, speak to your doctor about options for treatment. 2. Stomach problems Anxiety can cause your body to become tense and long-term anxiety can lead to persistent pain. You may experience muscle aches, stomach discomfort or diarrhea. Your digestive system may be affected by the constant release of stress hormones, which can cause constipation, bloating and IBS. People suffering from panic disorders are at an increased chance of developing stomach problems. According to the American Psychiatric Association, panic attacks are sudden feelings or terror of impending danger. They can happen in specific situations or without any reason. You may feel as if you're having a heart attack or that you are unable to breathe. You may also experience chest pains and an intense pulse. Long-term anxiety can also increase your chances of developing other health problems. The hormones that cause anxiety symptoms can help us respond to a danger and if we're alert, our immune system can be affected. This could increase your risk of contracting the common cold, as well as other illnesses. Your doctor can diagnose anxiety disorders by conducting an examination of your body and a discussion regarding your symptoms. They can rule out any other causes, such as thyroid issues or heart disease, before diagnosing you with anxiety. A mental health professional can also provide assistance and support to manage your symptoms. They can help you learn relaxation techniques and help you work through any underlying negative or traumatic experiences that could have triggered anxiety. They can also help you in finding the appropriate treatment for you. Ask your doctor for a referral, or look up online directories of therapists to find a therapist who is an expert in anxiety. 3. Muscle tension Many people are aware that a fast pulse and a jittery hand are indicators of anxiety. However, they do not realize that chronic muscle tension could be a sign of anxiety disorders, such as generalized anxiety disorder or social anxiety disorder panic disorder, and certain phobias. If a person is experiencing these symptoms on a regular basis they could lose their range and feel constant pain in their neck, back and shoulders. Tense muscles are a common symptom of anxiety disorder because the body's fight or flight response triggers a series of responses that trigger us to physically react to perceived threats. In moderate levels of anxiety, we trigger these responses as part of our survival instincts however, they can cause long-term problems with muscles when they happen frequently or over a long period of time. When a real danger is present the adrenal glands produce hormones that increase the speed of your heartbeat, so that more blood is pumped to the muscles of your legs or arms in the event you need to run away or fight. Those increased heart rates also increase the speed at which your lungs fill with oxygen. The combination of stress and hyperventilation could cause you to feel dizzy or lightheaded. If you have an anxiety condition, your body is unable to return to its normal state between stress reactions. You feel stressed all the time due to your anxiety disorder, so you keep your sympathetic nervous system in high alert. This causes the constant tensing of your muscles and could eventually result in chronic pain, according to the American Psychological Association. It can also affect your digestive system, causing stomachaches, constipation, diarrhea, or irritable bowel syndrome. 4. Dizziness You may feel dizzy or off-balance if you are anxious. The reason for this is to relate to the nervous system's response to anxiety. Your body tenses up when you think of something that worries or scares you, and then relaxes once the threat passes. If, however, your anxiety is persistent 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 get enough sleep. According to the Cleveland Clinic, it can also cause your body to suffer and you could gain weight. Anxiety also has a big effect on your menstrual cycle. That's because it can cause you to skip or have irregular periods due to the inability to release ovulation-inducing hormones, according to the American Psychological Association. Having high blood pressure or heart disease can make you more susceptible to anxiety, and it's essential to get these medical issues under control to decrease your risk. Talk to your therapist if suffer from any of these ailments. Other factors that increase the risk of anxiety are traumatizing experiences, such as being in a car accident or having surgery. Anxiety can be caused by a chronic illness, like asthma or diabetes or a recurring medical condition. The good news is that there are solutions which can alleviate anxiety disorders. Psychotherapy or talk therapy such as cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) can be helpful. CBT teaches you how to change negative behavior patterns and thoughts that cause anxiety to positive ones. You can also learn to use relaxation techniques such as deep breathing or meditation. Additionally there are supplements you can take to help calm your body and mind. 5. Sweating Anxiety is a broad term for a range of frightening feelings that could make your heart race, your stomach upset and your muscles tight. These symptoms alone aren't enough to cause anxiety disorder, but when they become chronic, they can cause problems. You may be experiencing chills, sweating and other physical symptoms that prompt you to seek medical attention. The habit of sweating is a common manifestation of anxiety disorders according to the National Institute of Mental Health. When your body's “fight-or-flight” response kicks in it increases your blood circulation rate to prepare you for the fight. The increased heart rate could cause you to feel faint or dizzy. 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 can also cause the feeling of not being able to breathe or breathe, which is known as dyspnea. It's an indication that your anxiety is becoming too overwhelming to manage. Your doctor will determine if you have an anxiety disorder by looking at your symptoms and how they impact your daily life. You'll be asked about your past experiences as well as your current concerns. They may also conduct tests to determine if there are any other health issues that could be causing them, like bloodwork and imaging scans. In some cases they may suggest medications to ease your symptoms. These include powerful antiperspirants that contain aluminium, drugs that block nerves, or Botox injections around sweat glands. Alternative treatments include cognitive behavior therapy, psychotherapy and relaxation techniques like yoga or meditation.