Physical Symptoms
If you suffer from an anxiety disorder, you may well be familiar with some of the common physical symptoms, which are explained in detail below.
Dizziness, Irritability
When we feel anxious, sometimes we can feel dizzy and irritable. We might snap at someone close to us because of this or simply become withdrawn. This can also lead to us believing that we are about to collapse or faint
Sweating
This is one symptom that can be quite embarrassing. Sweating might be appropriate if you are exercising (or running from a saber-toothed tiger!) but it is no laughing matter if you get sweaty just from going out the front door.
Chest Pains
Often described as a weight, increased pressure, or discomfort in the chest. When faced with unexpected chest pain, it is normal for people to fear the worst because chest pain can easily lead someone to believe that they are about to suffer a heart attack. Chest pain can however, have many causes unrelated to the heart. Sometimes the chest pain can be caused by a panic attack or anxiety disorder.
Muscle Tension
This is another symptom consistent with the 'flight or fight' mechanism. When we are preparing for a dangerous situation, our muscles tense up ready for action. If this is happening too frequently, it can lead to persistent pain in our large skeletal muscles and general fatigue.
Quickened Breathing
As we prepare to take flight (or fight!) our breathing will quicken in order to supply more oxygen to the muscles. This can lead to other symptoms such as a dry mouth and a difficulty in swallowing. It also leads to a perpetuation of increased heart rate and dizziness symptoms.
Increased Heart Rate
As we breath more quickly and our body prepares for action our heart rate increases, which can cause us to feel shaky and disorientated
Nausea and Diarrhoea
The digestive system slows down and blood is diverted away from the stomach. This, accompanied by the relaxation of the muscles around the anus, can cause diarrhoea.
It is normal to suffer from some of these physical symptoms at one time or another and under the right circumstances, some of them can be good for us. i.e. increased heart rate during exercise. It is a cause for concern, however, if you suffer from these symptoms at inappropriate times and may indicate an underlying anxiety disorder. If this is the case, you should consider meeting with you doctor to establish the correct diagnosis.
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