Symptoms of Stress and Anxiety and How They Appear Physically
Saturday, October 24th, 2009All of us will feel stress and worry at some point in our lives. Any time we’re anxious about something it’s a form of anxiety. New situations or experiences often result in feelings of nervousness or anxiety under normal circumstances. But moderate anxiety is one thing. For some people, the symptoms of anxiety and stress are so severe, they have to get medical help.
It can take several doctor visits or hospital stays before people are finally told that panic attacks are the problem.
Knowing what some of the many physical symptoms that are possible with anxiety attacks is important so you can come to recognize them for what they are and take steps to stop them from escalating.
A few of the very known physical symptoms of anxiety and stress are:
- Heart palpitation
- Excessive sweating
- Dizziness
- Chest pains
- Tightness in the chest
- Shortness of breath
- Stomach pains
- Tremors
- Migraine
- Frequent urination or diarrhea
- Muscle tension
Our bodies generally adapt to new or difficult experiences with anxiety. Anxiety can be beneficial at times, because it can keep us focused and alert. People diagnosed with anxiety disorder experience a level of anxiety that is continuous and severe, such that it prevents them from functioning normally or enjoying life.
Anxiety is natural, but it can be a problem if it persists or becomes overwhelming. Stress and anxiety attacks can produce symptoms that can differ from person to person. Though a great deal of these symptoms are emotional, like lack of concentration, dread and doom feelings, or restlessness, physical symptoms are also present. The latter might be very serious and lead to more stress and anxiety if not treated. Types of anxiety disorders are labeled as the following: obsessive-compulsive (OCD), GAD (generalized anxiety disorder), social phobia, morbid fear, panic attacks and PTSD (post-tramatic stress disorder).
The physical symptoms of stress and anxiety are easy to mistake for some other physical health problem. It’s not uncommon for hospitals to admit patients for treatment of a heart attack or similar condition only to determine that they are experiencing a severe anxiety attack. Some of the signs that point to other serious health problems could also be symptoms of anxiety.
There are many physical symtoms of anxiety and stress; these symptoms are often thought to be caused by other health problems. Please ensure that the doctor has ruled out any other health problem. This is important before you get treatment for your particular physical symptoms of anxiety or stress. Once your doctor can make sure your symptoms are not caused by something else, he can start treating your anxiety. There are a number of treatments used, which may include breathing controls, drugs, thought therapy, and counseling. Changes like eating right, getting proper rest, changing lifestyle habits, and using correct breathing techniques can decrease or eradicate physical symptoms of anxiety and stress.
The answers to common questions about panic disorder — like what are the signs and symptoms of a panic attack, what are the physical symptoms of an anxiety attack and how do I use the zung self rating scale for anxiety — can be found by visiting this website.