Around 8.2 million people in the UK are grappling with both emotional and physical symptoms of anxiety. It’s a far more common experience than you might realise, anxiety is something all of us encounter at some point in our lives.
Anxiety is a complex response, both emotional and physiological, triggered by threats or stress. It often manifests through various physical symptoms. Feeling anxious is typical, especially in high-stress situations like job interviews, breakups, or relocating.
However, when anxiety persists for extended periods or the symptoms become severe, it can lead to mental and physical health issues that disrupt daily life.
Those living with anxiety often find themselves overwhelmed by their thoughts and emotions, which can manifest into the physical symptoms of anxiety. These effects extend beyond the realm of the mind.
Recognising and understanding your symptoms is vital for effectively managing and addressing your anxiety.
1. Breathlessness
People dealing with anxiety might encounter difficulties in breathing, experiencing a sensation of insufficient air intake or rapid breathing, commonly known as breathlessness. This shortness of breath usually results from hyperventilation, where breathing becomes fast and shallow.
Hyperventilation disrupts the balance of carbon dioxide and oxygen in the body, leading to sensations of dizziness, breathlessness, and lightheadedness. While hyperventilation itself is relatively uncommon, it is often triggered by emotions like fear, panic, stress, and phobias.
2. Rapid heartbeat and palpitations
Anxiety often leads to an elevated heart rate and heart palpitations, which can be described as a pounding sensation in the chest. When anxiety sets in, the body releases hormones like adrenaline, causing the heart to beat faster.
Palpitations occur when a person experiences a rapid heart rate and becomes acutely aware of their heartbeat. This can be distressing and may feel like the heart is fluttering, beating too quickly, or even skipping beats. While heart palpitations can be frightening, they typically last only a few seconds.
3. Chest tightening
Chest tightening is a common physical symptom of anxiety. It can make people feel as though there’s pressure, constriction, or weight on their chest.
This sensation can be alarming because many people associate chest tightness with serious medical conditions like a heart attack. However, in cases of anxiety, chest tightening and pain typically result from muscle tension and stress rather than a heart-related issue.
4. Stomach problems
Many people with anxiety experience significant effects on their stomach and digestive system. This can lead to various gastrointestinal symptoms, including:
- Nausea: Anxiety can make you feel queasy or sick to your stomach.
- Stomach Pain: Anxiety may cause abdominal discomfort, cramping, or pain.
- Diarrhea or Constipation: Changes in bowel habits are common with anxiety.
- Indigestion: Anxiety can disrupt normal digestion, leading to symptoms like acid reflux or bloating.
- Loss of Appetite or Overeating: Anxiety can affect your eating habits, causing you to eat too little or overindulge.
These gastrointestinal symptoms are often related to the body’s “fight or flight” response to stress, which can alter digestion and blood flow to the stomach and intestines.
5. Muscle and body aches
Feelings of worry, nervousness, and anxiety can manifest as physical symptoms in the form of muscle tension in the body. This tension often results in muscle stiffness, aching, and pain. It’s particularly common for this tension to affect areas like the jaw, neck, shoulders, and upper back, leading to discomfort and tension headaches. Chronic muscle tension is frequently linked to anxiety and can have a considerable impact on a person’s overall well-being.
6. Fatigue and poor sleep
Elevated anxiety levels can disrupt a person’s regular sleep patterns, making it difficult to fall asleep, stay asleep, or even cause them to sleep excessively. Sleep disturbances can result in exhaustion and chronic fatigue, leaving people feeling drained. Fatigue is known to exacerbate anxiety and contribute to poor mental health, creating an unhealthy cycle that can intensify the physical symptoms of anxiety.
7. Sweating
Excessive sweating, particularly in areas like the palms, armpits, and face, is another common symptom of anxiety. Although relatively harmless, it can make people feel embarrassed and uneasy. Sweating is one of the body’s responses to stress, as it helps regulate core temperature.
8. Shaking or trembling
Anxiety can often lead to involuntary shaking or trembling, usually in the legs and hands. This symptom is a result of increased muscle tension and the activation of the sympathetic nervous system, commonly known as the fight or flight response. The intensity of the shaking can vary from subtle tremors to uncontrollable shaking during moments of heightened anxiety.
9. Sensitivity to sensory stimuli
Anxiety can heighten a person’s sensitivity to various sensory stimuli like noise, bright lights, or touch. This increased sensitivity can lead to discomfort, irritation, and feeling overwhelmed by what would normally be considered typical sensory experiences. People with high anxiety levels may also become easily startled or more jumpy than usual.
10. Appetite changes
Anxiety can lead to significant changes in appetite and eating habits. Some people may lose their appetite, resulting in sudden weight loss, while others may turn to food for comfort, leading to unwanted weight gain. These changes in appetite and weight can contribute to additional emotional distress and body image issues.
11. A weakened immune system
It’s not surprising to learn that anxiety can harm the immune system, making people more susceptible to illness and infection. The high levels of stress and fatigue associated with anxiety can disrupt immune function, making people more likely to catch viruses and bacterial infections. Consequently, those with anxiety may experience regular colds, the flu, and other infections due to a weakened immune system.
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