What are the physical symptoms of anxiety?

What is anxiety?

It is a feeling of fear and discomfort, which we often feel, and it appears as excessive thinking about things that have not happened yet or what might happen. Anxiety may be accompanied by a feeling of stress, which is the body's reaction to any harmful situation, whether the harm is real or is only an internal perception. When you feel threatened, your body produces a chemical reaction to be able to confront this threat and avoid harm. This process is known as "fight-or-flight," either escaping from danger or facing it. Both options put the body in a response mode to deal with danger.

Types of Anxiety

1| Generalized anxiety disorder

It is excessive anxiety in the absence of any logical reason for anxiety, and it is considered a disorder when the feeling of anxiety prevents a person from being able to carry out the tasks of his daily life.

2| Post-traumatic stress disorder

It is a disorder that occurs after a person is exposed to a traumatic experience, such as war, natural disaster, or exposure to violence. The person afflicted with this disorder suffers from attacks of sudden anxiety and other symptoms that may appear immediately after the shock or after some time has passed.

3| Obsessive-compulsive disorder

We talked about this disorder in detail in this article, which is a type of anxiety that may hinder daily activities.

4| Phobias

A phobia is an intense fear that prompts the affected person to avoid the causes of this fear in any way. The fierce fear is of various things, such as fear of confined spaces or heights.

5| Panic disorder

It is the recurrence of sudden panic attacks due to severe anxiety and intense fear. This disorder appears in rapid breathing, heart palpitations, and chest pain.

Physical symptoms of anxiety

• Headache
• Vertigo
• Difficulty concentrating
• General fatigue
• Depression
• Acceleration of heartbeat
• shortness of breath
• pain in chest
• high blood pressure
• Possibility of heart disease
• Abdominal pain
• nausea
• vomiting
• Severe diarrhea
• Lack of appetite
• Excessive weight loss
• asthma
• Pulmonary fibrosis: Due to frequent shortness of breath and rapid heartbeat
• Suffering from immune diseases such as thyroid disorders, rheumatism, multiple sclerosis, and general weakness of the immune system that causes recurring infections.

Treatment

If you suffer from severe anxiety that causes you physical symptoms, you should take the following steps:

1| See a doctor

You must see a mental health professional to get a diagnosis for your condition. The doctor may prescribe some medications that help you get rid of feelings of anxiety, and he may advise you to see a psychologist to receive counseling sessions and cognitive-behavioral therapy sessions. To be able to control anxiety.

2| Exercise regularly

Exercise helps improve mood and effectively reduce stress and anxiety. It also increases the body's immunity and improves its resistance to diseases. Practicing aerobic and resistance exercises also increases the body's ability to deal with all kinds of stress and anxiety.

3| Follow a healthy diet

It is essential to eat healthy, natural foods free of processed substances, reduce amounts of sugar and harmful fats, and avoid overeating, which may occur in some people due to feelings of anxiety and stress, fight the loss of appetite, which may also occur with increased anxiety.

4| Reduce caffeine

Caffeine contributes to increased anxiety and stress and increases heart palpitations. Therefore, reducing daily amounts of caffeine and limiting yourself to one cup of coffee or tea during the day is essential. Avoid consuming energy drinks rich in caffeine.

5| Practice relaxation

There are several ways to help relax, including journaling, practicing deep breathing exercises, practicing yoga, or any light exercise such as walking or swimming, stretching exercises, or getting a massage with natural oils that help relax, such as lavender oil.

6| Resorting to family and friends

Many studies have shown the influential role played by an individual's social network in improving mental health. So communicate with your friends, and talk to your sisters about what makes you anxious and stressed. Do social activities with people you feel comfortable with.

7| Facing fears

Dedicate 15 minutes a day to focus on your problems and fears, deal with them rationally and realistically without emotions, and then pledge not to think again about these fears that cause you anxiety and stress for the day. Repeat this every day, and you will not need to worry after a while. That everything can be dealt with, and every problem has a solution.