For individuals who struggle with anxiety disorders, accomplishing daily responsibilities can oftentimes seem daunting. In addition to facing the mental challenges associated with chronic anxiety, many people also report feeling physical symptoms that negatively impact their ability to focus or remain present.
Anxiety sometimes causes physical symptoms because it can trick your body into triggering its stress response mode, otherwise known as the “fight or flight” response. These symptoms include, but aren’t limited to:
- Panic attacks
- Nausea
- Lightheadedness
- Migraines
- Excessive sweating
Physical symptoms associated with anxiety can oftentimes compound the general malaise an affected individual may experience, resulting in an overall condition that feels crippling.
If you frequently experience the common physical symptoms of anxiety, it’s important to remind yourself that in many cases, it’s likely just your mind that’s creating the symptoms. However, the guidance of a medical professional should always be relied on first, and if you’re unsure what’s causing your discomfort (if it’s anxiety-related or something else), it’s important to seek care immediately. Here are a few of the common symptoms that can present when anxiety manifests physically in the body.
Panic attacks
A racing heartbeat, shakiness, tightened throat muscles, and paranoia are all the usual signs of a panic attack. However, while in the midst of a nervous breakdown, it can be difficult to discern these symptoms from those indicative of something much more serious (like a heart attack or cardiac arrest). Individuals who deal with intermittent panic attacks may feel as if they are about to die each time they experience one, as the symptoms can seem highly convincing in the moment. This sudden rush of fear can multiply the uncomfortable physical symptoms already being experienced, creating a vicious cycle that’s hard to break.
Due to the mimicking of life-threatening conditions, it’s always important to consult your doctor if you have concerns about how you’ve been feeling, or seek emergency care if your chest pains are accompanied by shortness of breath, neck pain, or jaw discomfort. However, if your doctor reassures you that you’re physically fine and that your symptoms are strictly due to anxiety or panic attacks, they may prescribe you medication or recommend therapy to help you.
Nausea, indigestion, or heartburn
Anxiety can cause a number of problems in the digestive system if left untreated. As the brain is in charge of regulating every system in your body, and with the digestive system being one of the largest and most complex of them all, it’s easy to see how an anxious mind can lead to digestive issues.
Several of these common problems from anxiety include increased stomach acid production, which may result in acid reflux or chronic gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Depending on the individual, anxiety can also greatly affect their appetite, leaving them feeling either constantly hungry or satiated regardless of how much they’ve had to eat recently. Appetite is regulated by signals carried from the stomach to the brain and vice versa via the vagus nerve. These signals can also be affected by chronic anxiety or stress, resulting in chronic feelings of bloatedness or queasiness (making it difficult to eat).
However, it’s important to remember the positive effects that a nutritious diet can have on your mental health and still ensure you’re ingesting enough nutrients, even if anxiety seems to be affecting your digestion. Consult a physician to come up with a healthy diet that fits within your overall anxiety treatment plan.
Lightheadedness or headache
Extreme anxiety is also known to commonly cause head symptoms like a sensation of vertigo, dizziness, or even migraines. People under moderate to severe chronic stress may experience brain fog or feel overwhelmed, which can worsen their anxiety. These feelings can severely impact productivity, comfort in social settings, and even make an individual feel like they’re about to faint. It’s thought that lightheadedness from anxiety is caused by changes in breathing patterns where shorter and fewer deep breaths result in less CO2 in your bloodstream.
Increased blood pressure in your head from stress may also cause headaches. Without treatment for anxiety, you may find it difficult to remain in a good headspace and be completely free of discomfort.
Sweating
As a natural response to keep the body cooled down, sweating helps to regulate body temperature and prevent overheating. Anxiety causes excessive sweating by activating your alerted state, as your nervous system works to cool the body down in advance of a perceived threat (regardless of if that threat is real or imaginary).
General nervousness felt throughout the whole body is another physical sign associated with anxiety-induced sweating. Whether experienced during a panic attack, at night while trying to sleep, or before starting the day, sweating and overall jitteriness are two additional classic symptoms that many individuals with an anxiety disorder endure.
How Can I Get Help With My Anxiety?
During anxious situations, taking mindful steps to calm yourself and relax your brain can work to improve your physical symptoms. Some of these practices include taking deep breaths and focusing on slowing down, closing your eyes and laying down momentarily, meditating, or dwelling on calming thoughts. Small sips of water can also help relax your mind and body whenever you’re feeling anxious.
While some anxiety from time to time is a normal part of the human condition, it’s important to always stay in tune with your mind and realize when you’re dealing with it more than you should be. If you find that chronic physical symptoms of anxiety or stress are regularly interfering with your day-to-day life, it’s wise to seek professional guidance.
At Alvarado Parkway Institute, we offer counseling and personalized treatment for anxiety and a wide variety of mental health conditions. By addressing the root causes of your anxiety-induced discomfort, you can help alleviate both the mental and physical symptoms and get on the road to an enhanced quality of life. Contact us today to learn more about our mental health services.
