How Does Anxiety Affect The Body

In my blog post about What Is Anxiety, I shared the different types of anxiety. Before looking at how does anxiety affects the body, make sure you first understand the difference between stress and anxiety.

How Does Anxiety Affect The Body

Below is a list of differnt aspect of how anxitey can affect the body. This is not a list of what is going on inside your brain just a list of symptoms that you can experience when you are feeling anxious. When you anxious your body is going into fight or flight mode. Your sympathetic nervous system release hormones like cortisol. These hormones also cause physical reactions such as:

  • Difficulty swallowing
  • Dizziness
  • Dry mouth
  • Fast heartbeat
  • Fatigue
  • Headaches
  • Inability to concentrate
  • Irritability
  • Muscle aches
  • Muscle tension
  • Nausea
  • Nervous energy
  • Rapid breathing
  • Shortness of breath
  • Sweating
  • Trembling and twitching

Fight or Flight

Anxiety can trigger your fight or flight response which increases your pulse and breathing pushing more oxygen to your brain. Your immune system may even get a brief boost. If you find yourself anxious often your body never returns to normal functioning. This, in turn, can weaken your immune system.

Respiratory Response & Immune System Response

According to Harvard Medical School, studies have shown an increased rate of anxiety and panic attacks in people with chronic respiratory disease (COPD). COPD patients with anxiety tend to be hospitalized more often. Long term anxiety can lead to general feelings of being in poor health. Even vaccines might be less effective.

Excretory & Digestive Systems

Harvard Medical School, has found there may be a connection between anxiety disorders and the development of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) after a bowel infection. IBS can cause vomiting, diarrhea, or constipation.

How Does Anxiety Affect The Body In Other Ways

Other symptoms that can develop from long term, untreated anxiety can include:

  • Loss of appetite
  • Lack of interest in sex
  • Muscle tension
  • Headaches
  • Insomnia

Gaining Control Over Anxiety

From medicaiton, to talk therapy there are lots of differnt ways you can overcome your anxiety issues. First, you must understand what triggers your anxiety then you must find activities to lower your anxiety. This includes both in the moment and long term ways to manage your anxiety. You can learn more about 15 quick ways to lower your anxiety here.

One of the best ways to start to overcome your anxiety is to seek out therapy. If you live in the Las Vegas area and are ready to make a change give us a call today. Or CLICK HERE to Schedule a Session.

How does anxiety affect you? Leave a comment below, sharing your story.

Tyler Rich LMFT
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