Understand Yourself Better With These Signs And Symptoms Of Anxiety

Anxiety can largely influence our physical as well as our mental health and wellbeing. While most of us are often not able to understand the effects of anxiety or how it manifests itself as a part of our daily lifestyles, there are certain feelings and behaviours which are associated with the same that might trigger us from time to time. 
Although there are a number of feelings that are associated with anxiety and interfere with our everyday lives, the proportion of these feelings is what creates the difference. Feeling anxious is something that comes naturally to us before certain important events and situations, and at times it can even be a healthy coping mechanism since most people tend to feel anxious at certain points in their lives. 
However, if there are extreme anxiety symptoms which persist over time, then it becomes an indicator of concern. Here’s for you to understand yourself better and analyse your behaviour while trying to assess if there are any signs that you have anxiety.

What is anxiety disorder?

Anxiety disorders refer to a group of mental health conditions that are fueled by feelings of fear or dread and other similar symptoms. Certain fears may even be beneficial for us as they help us notice situations which may hamper our well-being while also helping us channel our attention better. However, if these feelings and behaviours go beyond regular nervousness, then the condition might be referred to as an anxiety disorder. 

There are different types of anxiety disorders, and in most cases, the condition is curable with effective medications and psychotherapy.

Individuals with anxiety tend to feel worried, afraid or nervous very frequently, and these feelings can, at times, be extremely difficult to manage. Since anxiety takes a rapid toll on our mental health, anxiety also causes certain physical symptoms, which in turn affect our overall health. Anxiety makes us feel unwell. Our hands tend to get sweaty, our legs begin to shake ,and even the heart rate speeds up. With significant stressors and events or objects that cause triggers, interfering with our daily lives in some way or the other, anxiety manifests itself in a number of physical symptoms.

Here are some of the ways in which anxiety tends to affect our body

Rapid breathing

An extremely common and among the very first symptoms of stress and anxiety is that individuals experiencing the same might start to breathe fast or more rapidly. This happens because when we feel scared or anxious, we do not tend to get enough air to breathe. Extreme anxiety symptoms can also lead to asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and other such conditions. 
You may practice deep breathing techniques as a way towards handling anxiety and associated breathing problems.

Breathe Easy: The Best Anxiety Deep Breathing Techniques Revealed

Tense muscles

The tensing of muscles is a common symptom that is associated with anxiety. Due to the feelings of fear and dread, our body tends to protect itself and as a result of this, when we are experiencing anxiousness, our muscles tense up all at once. Although they also do relax when the stress passes and we regain normality, due to this symptom of stress and anxiety, individuals tend to have tight shoulders and neck, as well as migraines.
Relaxation techniques and practising yoga can be an effective way to deal with anxiety.

Rapid heartbeat

With a number of objects or events that we might come across from time to time which might trigger us and in turn induce anxiousness, a common symptom pertaining to the same is that of experiencing rapid breathing. A rapid heartbeat generally feels as if your heart is beating unevenly, which is also known as heart palpitation. This symptom of anxiety also triggers your stress hormones and may, overtime, lead to issues of high blood pressure, heart disease, high cholesterol and so on.

Sleep problems

Sleep problems are a common issue which is a part of extreme anxiety symptoms. Anxiety fuels poor sleep conditions as it leads one to constantly overthink about daily tasks and problems. An easy way to deal with anxiety and sleep problems is to try and break your tasks into to-do lists. Setting up proper sleep habits by deciding on a time to go to bed and wake up can also be an effective way towards handling anxiety-related sleep problems.

Digestive problems

Our gut health is largely affected by issues of anxiety. Digestive issues and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), along with stomach ulcers are common symptoms of stress and anxiety. Individuals also tend to feel the constant urge to vomit, stomach pain or extreme nausea while suffering from chronic anxiety.

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Problems in sexual health

A way in which anxiety often affects our body is by having an impact on our sexual health and wellbeing. Higher levels of anxiety and stress often makes a person feel disinterested in sex, while also affecting the secretion of sexual hormones such as testosterone in men. In case of women, a common reproductive health problem associated with anxiety is that of uneven or missed menses.

Living in constant fear or dread and worrying too much may be signs of anxiety, which can lead to serious complications if left untreated. If you are someone who feels that they might be suffering from anxiety and stress disorders, it is extremely necessary to seek professional help. The right treatment will not only improve the quality of your life but also works towards the betterment of your interpersonal relationships and improve productivity levels. 

While these signs are important to notice, anxiety is very much an issue that deserves medical care and cannot merely be self-diagnosed.. Seeing any or all of these signs can hint towards anxiety but for a proper diagnosis, please seek an opinion from a mental health practitioner.