We all occasionally experience some level of anxiety, but it’s not always easy to tell when it’s gotten out of control. The majority of us are aware that anxiousness is accompanied by racing thoughts and jittery feelings, but there are a number of other surprising physical symptoms you may experience. They might be more subtle, but they still serve as a sign that your body is constantly under stress and worry.
Dion Metzger, M.D., a psychiatrist, says, “I always explain that anxiety is a feeling that can affect people from the head to the toe. versus email. “All of these physical symptoms have the same cause, which is that they are the body’s reaction to stress. The body reacts to a perceived threat by going into “stress mode,” as indicated by the signals the brain sends to the body. ”.
No matter whether you experience anxiety frequently or only in particular circumstances, being aware of these signs can help you determine how to manage it. Consider these 11 physical indications of anxiety if you sense something is wrong with your body or mind.
You’re exhausted.
Anxiety may be to blame if you’re always tired. Dr. Susan Edelman, a psychiatrist, explains via email that fatigue can be a sign of anxiety. It can be draining to experience anxiety, especially if you’re having trouble falling asleep. People might have trouble falling asleep, staying asleep, or having a restless night’s sleep. ”.
You’re Allergic.
Those red spots on your skin might not be caused by any irritation at all or even by the cosmetics you’ve been using. According to Calm Clinic, stress often causes reactions in your organs, and since your skin is your largest organ, it can undoubtedly be impacted.
Other skin sensitivities or flare-ups of eczema may result from this.
You keep making hurried trips to the restroom.
According to the Calm Clinic, a lot of anxious people have problems with how frequently they urinate. Your body enters a fight-or-flight response when you’re under stress or anxiety, amplifying the necessary bodily reactions in your heart, muscles, and lungs. Unfortunately, this renders your bladder control useless. Aside from that, tension puts pressure on your bladder and abdomen, which makes you urinate more frequently.
Concentration is impossible.
Another unexpected sign of anxiety, according to Edelman, is difficulty concentrating.
“It can be challenging to concentrate and may seem as though your mind is wandering when you’re worrying about your issues or physical symptoms. ”.
5.
You irritate easily.
If you notice that you’re snapping at coworkers or getting annoyed with your friends, you may be suffering from anxiety. According to Edelman, irritability is a different sign of anxiety. “You aren’t at your best and may act irritable around others when you’re stressed out and unwell. ”.
You’ve got tense muscles.
Anxiety can cause muscles to become stiff or tense. psychologist Dr. Iris Pachler writes in an email, “We can sometimes be so used to holding tension that we don’t even realize it.”. Progressive relaxation of the muscles can be used to spot this. One muscle group at a time—the jaw, neck, shoulders, belly, and back—is tightened and then released to achieve this. ”.
You Are Breathing Easily.
According to the Calm Clinic, dizziness and lightheadedness are additional symptoms of anxiety that can come along with shortness of breath. Working on breathing exercises, such as taking deeper, longer breaths, can be beneficial if you find that you start hyperventilating.
You feel dizzy.
You might feel physically sick when you are anxious. According to WebMD, when we experience intense emotions, our bodies can go into overdrive and cause immediate gastrointestinal distress, including stomachaches, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
9. Your fingertip tingles.
Your tingling fingers may be mistaken for a nerve problem or a cold, but they could actually be a sign of anxiety. According to the Calm Clinic, hyperventilation is the most frequent cause of tingling hands in anxious people, which can feel like anything from numbness to crawling hands.
Having chest pain.
When they experience sudden chest pain or discomfort, people occasionally mistake it for a heart attack, says psychiatrist Dr. Celia Trotta via email. It is simpler to recognize that a young adult’s sudden chest pain could be caused by anxiety if they have no other medical conditions. ”.
You’re Fuelled.
It’s simple to blame your diet for having too much gat, but anxiety may be the real problem. Not only does anxiety stress out your digestive system, but it can also make you breathe too quickly, which causes you to swallow more air. According to the Calm Clinic, this air then needs a place to go, so it is released as gas.
Don’t worry if your symptoms don’t fit the textbook description of anxiety because everyone experiences anxiety in different ways. Seeing a doctor can help you get the proper treatment if you feel like you’re suffering.