The tension might also include restless fidgeting of tense legs orgrinding of the teeth.
These manifestations of muscle tension don’t subside in the absence of a threat.
Instead, they persist until specific relaxation or mindfulness skills are employed, ormedications that promote relaxationare taken.
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Digestive Problems
The gut also holds and expresses anxiety.
This can take the form of non-specific unsettling of the stomach, outright nausea, constipation, or diarrhea.
Digestive problems can have a particularly negative impact on day-to-day functioning.
This psychological experience can result, literally, in an aching head and dizziness.
Irritability
The edginess associated with anxiety can manifest behaviorally as irritability or physically as trembling and shaking.
The fidgeting or restlessness may be more obvious to observers than to the person experiencing it in some cases.
In the short term, this can take a toll on other aspects of physical and psychological well-being.
For people experiencing even mild sleep disruptions, anxiety treatment is likely to involve changes to the bedtime routine.
How Anxiety Affects Your Body
Anxiety brings about psychological and physical symptomsboth of which can be overwhelming.
Anticipating future threats, the body gears up for afight-or-flight moment.
The brain activates the heart, lungs, and muscles so you’ll be ready to engage or flee.
Anxiety disorders are characterized by persistent and intense physical symptoms.
Considering these reactions is especially important when diagnosing anxiety disorders.
In children, the presence of even one of these symptoms is sufficient for a diagnosis to be made.
Is It Anxiety or Something Else?
A doctor can evaluate your symptoms and rule out anyunderlying medical causes.
However, these medications can also be habit-forming, which is why they are often prescribed for short-term relief.
Other medications may also be prescribed including antidepressants and beta-blockers.
Psychotherapy
Different types of talk therapy can also be helpful for addressing symptoms of anxiety.
Anxiety disorders are quite common, but often go undiagnosed and untreated.
Talk to your doctor if you are experiencing symptoms since anxiety can worsen over time.
Early intervention can improve your daily functioning and mental well-being.
For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.
Getting regular physical exercise has also been shown to be effective in combatting anxiety.
In some cases, physical symptoms of anxiety can become so severe that a person experiences a panic attack.
This may be a sign that a person has an anxiety disorder.
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Anxiety & Depression Association of America.Facts & statistics.
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Kandola A, Stubbs B.Exercise and anxiety.Adv Exp Med Biol.
2020;1228:345-352. doi:10.1007/978-981-15-1792-1_23
American Psychiatric Association.Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th ed.
Washington, DC; 2013.
University of Utah Health.ER or not: Panic attacks.
