Anxiety can cause a variety of physical and mental symptoms. Seek
advice of your health care professional if these symptoms are affecting your daily life. Here are a few of
most common anxiety symptoms.Chest Pain Chest pains are a frightening symptom of anxiety, and one that should not be taken lightly. If you are at all unsure about
cause of your chest pains, seek medical attention immediately. However, it is sometimes possible to tell
difference between
chest pains associated with anxiety and those of a heart attack. The chest pain of a heart attack is a knifelike pain that usually does not start in
chest. It may be possible to diminish
chest pain from anxiety with deep breathing exercises or a massage.
Neck, Face, and Shoulder Pain Muscle tension and contraction can cause intense pain in
neck and shoulder area. This pain can often be relieved by relaxation exercises or massage.
Difficulty Swallowing Sometimes, anxiety causes
muscles in
throat to contract making it feel as though you cannot breathe or swallow. It is important to remember that this is merely a reaction to anxiety and not a symptom that will cause you any real harm. It may feel unpleasant, but if you can calm down and practice taking slow breaths through your nose, this symptom will soon dissipate.
Indigestion and Digestive Disorders With
release of adrenaline that accompanies anxiety,
blood races through
system and is diverted away from certain areas of
body, such as
digestive tract. This slows
digestion and causes
muscles around
stomach to tense up. This can cause indigestion, heartburn and diarrhea or constipation.
Sweating Sweating is your body's way of reducing an increase in body temperature. When adrenaline is released into
system,
heart begins beating faster and
body heats up (similar to exercising.) This symptom will soon pass as
anxiety subsides and
body's other physical responses return to normal.
Dry Mouth Dry mouth often goes along with
other physical symptoms that are caused by anxiety. This symptom can be alleviated by taking a drink of purified water.
Shaking Shaking is a normal reaction to fear or a decrease in body temperature. When
muscles are tense, they may spasmodically contract and cause friction between
muscles and other body tissues.
Shortness of Breath Anxiety can often make you feel as though you simply cannot get enough oxygen to your lungs. Your chest may feel tight and unable to expand to accommodate
air your body needs. It may even feel as though you are being smothered. Try to relax and remember that this is only a sensation caused by anxiety, you are actually getting plenty of air to your lungs. Sit down and concentrate on taking slow, deep, and regular breaths.