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Anxiety disorders are one of the most common mental health disorders, with one in five people reported to experience a form of anxiety each week.
While common, when left untreated, the psychological ramifications of anxiety significantly impair an individual’s quality of life.
Unbeknown to many, when anxiety is present in an individual’s life, many physical symptoms will gradually arise. These symptoms indicate that anxiety is taking its toll on an individual’s general health and well-being. They also ascertain that anxiety treatment is necessary.
The 10 Physical Symptoms Of Anxiety
If you have reason to believe that anxiety is hindering the quality of your life, we have outlined 10 physical symptoms of anxiety that you are likely to experience below.
1. Chest Pains
One of the most common physical symptoms associated with anxiety, at least 50% of individuals struggling with anxiety state that they experience chest pains.
Sadly, due to being associated with life-threatening conditions such as heart attacks, chest pains resulting from anxiety see many individuals seek emergency medical care.
2. Shortness of Breath
As anxiety is triggered and the fight or flight response takes over, many people experience shortness of breath. Paired with an anxiety or a panic attack, shortness of breath can be incredibly scary to encounter.
However, shortness of breath is a widespread physical symptom of anxiety that often alleviates as anxiety diminishes.
3. Increased Heart Rate
Research shows that 80% of people that suffer from anxiety experience an increased heart rate.
A sign that the body and brain have been thrown into a state of panic, worry and fear, an increased heart rate may cause you to experience sensations such as a pounding heart.
4. Heart Palpitations
In addition to experiencing chest pains and an increased heart rate, heart palpitations are frequently encountered when anxiety impairs an individual’s life.
Just as chest pains and an increased heart rate cause many to worry, heart palpitations do too.
If you encounter heart palpitations due to anxiety, you might feel as though your heart has skipped a beat. This is called an ectopic heartbeat.
5. Headaches
Whether you suffer from a generalised anxiety disorder or a panic disorder, you will likely have, at some point, found yourself suffering from headaches.
Although headaches associated with anxiety often mimic the feelings encountered as a result of everyday headaches and migraines, anxiety can cause tension headaches to arise.
Tension headaches relating to anxiety may cause you to feel like an elastic band has been wrapped around your head. Your head may also feel incredibly heavy, and you may experience pressure in a specific part of your head.
6. Fatigue
When anxiety arises, it is entirely common for you to experience fatigue. This is because, in some instances, anxiety will cause you to experience a rush in adrenaline. As a result, when your anxiety eases, you will feel more tired than usual.
In other instances, anxiety may leave you feeling somewhat restless. With racing thoughts and worries swirling your mind, you may also find it difficult to switch off and sleep at night. As a result, you will feel exhausted in the days to come.
While many of the other physical symptoms of anxiety reduce entirely in a short period, fatigue is known to be a long-lasting physical symptom of anxiety.
Sadly, when left untreated, anxiety can eventually lead to chronic fatigue.
7. Stomach Pain and Digestive System Problems
Stomach pain and digestive system problems, such as an upset stomach, are also physical symptoms that come hand-in-hand with anxiety. According to the NHS, this is because anxiety and worrying can hinder the overall balance of the digestive system.
Extremely unpleasant, stomach pain and digestive problems will likely leave you feeling somewhat uncomfortable for a short period. However, just as the other symptoms of anxiety will alleviate naturally, stomach pain and digestive system problems will too.
8. Muscle Aches and Pains
As anxiety washes over you, it is entirely normal for you to experience muscle aches and pains. This is because anxiety and panic disorders can cause muscles to become tense and stiff.
Unlike the other physical symptoms of anxiety, relaxation techniques and medications are often required to ease muscle aches and pains that arise from anxiety.
9. Numbness and Tingling
During an episode of heightened anxiety, the heart’s response can cause many other physical symptoms to arise.
For example, as your heart rate increases and your blood rushes to various parts of your body, you may well experience numbness and tingling.
Often encountered in the hands, feet and face, numbness and tingling sensations relating to anxiety will reduce naturally.
However, as these sensations are often associated with strokes, you may find yourself increasingly worried if you encounter numbness and tingling.
Although this is entirely normal, if you experience numbness and tingling when your anxiety arises, please rest assured knowing this is a common physical symptom of anxiety.
10. Dizziness
As panic attacks, heightened anxiety and persistently worrying leads to shortness of breath, many individuals state that they often feel dizzy as a result of their anxiety.
Please remember that anxiety affects individuals differently. If you suffer from anxiety, you may only experience a few of the physical symptoms noted above.
Contact Us Today To Secure Anxiety Treatment Today
As we can see from the above, anxiety impacts the body in many different ways. With this in mind, you must seek professional support if you find yourself struggling with anxiety.
If, upon reviewing the 10 physical symptoms of anxiety noted above, you think that an anxiety disorder is controlling or hindering your life, we would encourage you to contact us to secure anxiety treatment.
At Rehab Clinics Group, we have recovery centres located across the United Kingdom and Spain that can assist you as you look to overcome your anxiety disorder.
To find out how we can support you as you look to get the better of your anxiety, please call us on 0800 470 0382.
