anxiety attack symptoms female Treatment Body Symptoms

Everyone feels anxious sometimes, especially when facing fears or worries. The constant stress can trigger a cascade of physical symptoms.

Stress or fear triggers the fight-or flight response, which triggers your breathing and heart rate to speed up. If you have to escape danger, fuel and blood will flood your muscles.

Tingling

If you sense danger your nervous system triggers a reaction of anxiety. It releases a flood of chemical and hormones, including adrenaline, which increases blood flow, boost oxygen and help you respond quickly and efficiently. That's the body's normal reaction to situations that could end your life, and it's designed to protect you (Chand 2021). However many of us are anxious about things that don't really pose a threat or could even be beneficial. The constant rise in stress hormones and other physical manifestations of anxiety can be mentally and physically draining.

Tingling throughout your body is among the most frequent indicators that you are anxious. You might feel it in your legs, feet, arms and chest, and the sensation can move up to the head, which can cause headaches. It may also occur when you sit, lie or stand in the same position for a prolonged period of time. It could be caused by nutritional deficiencies or nerve damage, or even compression, such as from a compressed spinal cord or pinched nerves.

Sweating is another indication of anxiety. According to NIMH the body pumps more water to sweat glands when you are anxious or on edge. This can cause you to feel cold in your hands and feet as the body is removing blood to protect its major organs.

Anxiety is often accompanied with constant feelings of fatigue and exhaustion. It can be because of the constant fight-or-flight stress response or if you're having difficulty sleeping. A doctor or mental healthcare professional can give you tips on how to get a better night's sleep by avoiding alcohol and caffeine at night and practicing good habits.

Weakness

In a moment of fear or anxiety the body's fight or flight response may kick in. That's when your brain signals the sympathetic nervous system to release hormones, such as adrenaline. This increases the heart rate and permits blood to flow more quickly to your muscles, ensuring you can flee or fend off an attack. In the long run however, this constant state of stress and worry can cause your body to feel weak, especially as it wears on your muscles.

Muscles that are tight can be painful and can cause a variety of physical ailments, including headaches, aches and discomforts. For instance, if you're stressed or nervous your body begins to tense and if this happens repeatedly, it can lead to tension headaches. Migraines can also be caused by tight neck and shoulder muscles.

If you have a tummy ache, it could be an indication of anxiety as well. The digestive system of your body is directly linked to your mood. People suffering from anxiety are more likely to have digestive issues, such as stomachaches and constipation.

Weakness is also a symptom of moderate anxiety symptoms, since it can affect the immune system and make you more susceptible to infections. A prolonged period of high levels of stress hormones, such as the ones experienced by people suffering from anxiety, can affect the immune system's ability to fight off germs.

The first step to identifying and managing anxiety symptoms is to stop and assess your situation, says Dr. Barsky. If you discern that your physical symptoms are a result of an unending state of stress and worry then you can make steps to break the cycle. "Distract yourself," says the expert and adds that things like watering plants or putting a jigsaw puzzle together can aid.

Lightheadedness

Anxiety can make you feel dizzy, off-balance or like the world is spinning. It can be a numbing feeling and can prevent you from being active or taking part in activities you are enjoying. Vertigo is a term used to describe dizziness caused by anxiety. It can also be a sign of an inner ear problem such as Benign Peripheral Constant Dizziness (BPPV).

Stress response, also known as "fight or run" in the body releases chemicals and hormones to prepare you for the possibility of danger. This can increase the heart rate and breathing, as well as changing the amount of oxygen that is being circulated to the brain. This may cause a temporary feeling of lightheadedness. That is why it may occur prior to giving a speech or are in the midst of a crowd. If your anxiety is chronic and you experience this feeling without a reason, then it could be a sign of an anxiety disorder.

The anxiety-induced dizziness can persist for the entire day or longer and is called Chronic Subjective Dizziness or Persistent Postural-Perceptual Dizziness (PPPD). Consult your physician for any medical problem that triggers this.

If you do not have any health issues however you feel dizzy when you are anxious, you can calm yourself to relax by focusing on an object or a single point, or by breathing deeply. This is how many ballet dancers get relief from the dizziness they experience while dancing. If this doesn't work it's always a good idea to call your family or a friend to talk to them about your anxiety and how they can assist you. This can help alleviate your symptoms and prevent them from spiraling out of control.

Mouth dryness

Whenever your anxiety is intense you're likely to experience changes in your heart rate and breathing. As part of your fight-or-flight response your body releases stress hormones cortisol and adrenaline which increase the rate at which you breathe in order to provide more oxygen to your bloodstream. If your anxiety is persistent, the constant release of stress-related hormones could have negative effects on your health. It can affect your digestion in a way that's physically harmful, such as stomach pains, bloating, and diarrhea.

In addition to changing your heart rate, these stress hormones can cause you to feel sluggish or out of breath. This is often the case when you're in an extremely stressful situation, for instance during an anxiety attack or when you're preparing for a big event. It can also happen if you are constantly anxious and for no reason.

These feelings can make you feel nauseated or sick to your stomach, and it's common for people with anxiety to experience digestive issues. According to the APA people who experience these symptoms regularly should seek out an expert in mental health.

The most important thing to keep in mind is that anxiety can be very difficult on your body, and you're certainly not alone. If you're worried about your feelings, talk to an GP or therapist. They can tell if your feelings are related to a particular challenge or the presence of anxiety as a condition. They can also provide information and advice on how to manage your anxiety symptoms even when not anxious. This might include recommending certain medications or therapies, such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT). Be active and get enough rest. Relaxation exercises like guided imagery and deep breathing can assist to alleviate symptoms.

Tension

extreme anxiety symptoms can make the body feel tense and uncomfortable. It may even cause pain. The brain sends signals that tell other parts of the system to prepare for a fight or flight scenario. This can result in a knot in the stomach muscles, and a feeling of stomach pain. This isn't something you should ignore as it can cause serious digestive problems like irritable bowel syndrome or ulcers in the stomach lining called ulcers.

Heart palpitations are another common sign. They are fast and irregular heartbeats. This occurs when the stress hormones cortisol and adrenaline are released into the body. These hormones can boost the speed that the heart beats and also increase the amount oxygen that circulates through the body. The body doesn't need to be constantly alert. If it is, it will eventually become weak and tired.

Anxiety can also cause sweating, cold legs and hands and lightheadedness. These are due to the increase in blood flow to the major organs as well as the muscles. This is a part of the fight or flee response, which prepares your body for a dangerous situation. It can be triggered by actual dangers or by simply thinking about them. The amygdala area, which is a part of the brain responsible for emotional responses, may also respond to fears and cause these physical sensations.

Rapid and shallow breathing can also cause anxiety. According to the U.S. National Library of Medicine it is referred to as hyperventilation. It disrupts the balance of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the bloodstream. This can cause dizziness and tingling of the hands and feet.