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Anxiety is a normal feeling that everyone experiences at one point or another. It often involves worries about an event that’s about to happen or a potential scenario that could happen in the future. Often, these anxious feelings subside quickly. Sometimes, though, anxiety may linger and seem like more of a generalized, chronic condition. In either case, anxiety can manifest physically.
How Can Anxiety Manifest Physically?
Whether anxiety is an acute response to a sudden loud bang or a chronic mental health issue, it can be accompanied by certain physical symptoms. That’s because the same autonomic nervous system that governs bodily functions like breathing and heart rate also initiates the fight-or-flight response in the face of a perceived threat.
Of course, there’s some unpleasantness that comes with feeling threatened. Anxiety can cause breathing difficulties, chest pain, headaches, nausea, nervousness, heart palpitations and other physical symptoms. People with anxiety disorders or those living in environments with constant conflict or danger might experience symptoms daily and constantly feel on edge.
What Are the Warning Signs of Anxiety?
Specific warning signs of anxiety can include fear or panic, trouble sleeping, obsessive thoughts, flashbacks to traumatic events, difficulty relaxing and nightmares. Anxiety can also cause a sense of dread. People may refrain from completing simple tasks because they become overwhelmed at the thought of trying or are afraid of making mistakes. Some individuals isolate themselves socially because they fear being around others.
What Are the Most Common Physical Symptoms of Anxiety?
- Heart beats rapidly. Anxiety can raise stress hormones such as cortisol and increase your heart rate. Some people also experience heart palpitations when they’re anxious.
- Breathing rate increases. Rapid breathing often coincides with an increased heart rate. People report feeling as if they’re unable to take in sufficient air.
- Fight-or-flight response initiates. While most people aren’t facing the same threats as their ancestors, when the brain perceives a certain amount of danger, the body automatically releases various hormones and increases blood flow to help protect itself.
- Muscles tense. During periods of heightened anxiety, some people’s muscles tense up involuntarily as a way for the body to protect itself from potential harm. Individuals who experience frequent muscle tension may later have headaches.
- Blood sugar rises. When the fight-or-flight response activates, the body ensures it has enough energy by unlocking stored glucose. People who experience this frequently for prolonged periods have increasing risks of developing diseases such as diabetes.
- Can’t fall asleep. Overthinking and worrying at bedtime make it difficult to fall asleep. Because poor sleep can lead to increased anxiety, a vicious cycle may form.
- Overcoming infections takes longer. Negative thoughts can reduce the immune system’s effectiveness. People experiencing high levels of anxiety for long periods of time take longer to recover from illnesses such as colds and the flu.
- Nausea becomes routine. Anxiety can make some people so nauseous they throw up. Over time, frequent anxiety-related nausea at this level could result in the development of stomach ulcers and worsen symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome.
- Bowel problems appear. Doctors believe some people become constipated when they’re anxious because of how anxiety impacts muscle response. Additionally, because anxiety can alter the body’s nutrient intake, other people experience diarrhea when they’re anxious.
- Body weight increases. While they seem to reduce anxiety symptoms in the short term, high-fat diets can lead to dopamine dysregulation, resulting in more anxiety symptoms later. When people repeatedly choose these high-calorie foods to ease their anxiety, weight gain often follows.
- Sexual problems may develop. Cortisol released during the fight-or-flight response can decrease libido. Elevated stress levels can also negatively impact women’s menstruation cycles.
What Are Three Effects of Anxiety?
Anxiety can manifest physically with many effects, as illustrated by the many physical symptoms alone.
Gastrointestinal
Anxiety can cause people to feel physically sick. Anxiety-related gastrointestinal distress can include constipation, diarrhea, indigestion and nausea. Some people experience headaches, hyperventilation, panic attacks and trembling.
The physical symptoms of anxiety can be debilitating enough to cause individuals with anxiety to isolate themselves because they feel embarrassed about what others will think. Individuals experiencing these problems may seek help from a primary care provider, assuming they have a medical condition. However, when anxiety is behind the symptoms, a health care provider who doesn’t specialize in mental health may be unable to diagnose the problem.
Cognitive
People who suffer from anxiety may experience difficulty thinking and performing cognitive tasks. Fears and perceived threats can dominate thoughts to the extent that an individual finds it difficult to concentrate on other tasks. The physical symptoms of anxiety, such as rapid heartbeat, shallow breathing and sweating, can also impair cognitive performance.
Test anxiety is one example of how anxiety can interfere with cognitive functioning. Students who become nervous about future exams may not be able to prepare as well as their less-anxious peers due to constant worrying, which prevents them from filling their knowledge deficits. Test anxiety can affect individuals of all ages. For example, an adult may forgo applying for a promotion that requires a certification or competency test because they’re afraid of failing.
Chronic stress and anxiety may lead to memory loss. Although research is ongoing, some experts suggest both short-term and long-term anxiety can impact memory. Anxiety and stress compete with other cognitive activities for the brain’s resources, affecting the brain’s capacity to collect and store memories. Excessive fear and anxiety during childhood and early adulthood may predict cognitive decline in later years.
Behavioral
People suffering from anxiety can experience effects that impact their well-being and limit their ability to enjoy a healthy and fulfilling life. Individuals with anxiety can become fatigued by constant worry and vigilance. The inability to get adequate sleep can lead to exhaustion and irritability. Anxiety also causes behaviors such as avoiding eye contact and withdrawing from social situations.
Can Anxiety Cause Weird Body Sensations?
Anxiety can lead to some unexpected body sensations. Individuals with anxiety can have heart palpitations or rapid heartbeat. Some people experience burning sensations that resemble sunburn. The lips, skin and tongue may also feel as if they are burning. Some people have facial numbness with anxiety or a tingling feeling in the arms, hands and legs. Other people may experience ringing in their ears or tinnitus. People experiencing anxiety-related tinnitus may hear buzzing, chirping, swooshing or whizzing sounds.
What Can Mimic Anxiety Symptoms?
No one should make assumptions if they believe they’re having weird physical symptoms of anxiety. Chronic headaches could suggest other problems, such as high blood pressure. Indigestion and diarrhea could be symptoms of serious digestive disorders. Chest pains and irregular heartbeat might signal issues that could lead to a heart attack. Numbness and tingling are also symptoms of neurological disorders and could be a sign of stroke, depending on the area of the body. Ear ringing may be a sign of inner ear issues.
When an individual experiences symptoms that mimic anxiety, it’s best to see a healthcare provider to rule out physical illnesses and seek treatment if necessary.
Get Help for Anxiety
No one should suffer from anxiety alone. Unfortunately, only 36.9% of people with anxiety disorders receive treatment. Anxiety robs people of joy and keeps them from reaching their potential. It can get in the way of building and maintaining positive relationships. Anxiety may lead to drug and alcohol use when an individual doesn’t know where to turn, but there’s help for people struggling with anxiety. Treatments like therapy and medication have helped many people learn how to effectively manage and even overcome their anxiety — they can help you, too.
You don’t have to live with anxiety. Contact FHE Health today to speak with one of our experienced counselors so you can restore your mental health and enjoy the life you deserve.
