Physical Symptoms of Anxiety and Stress

The physical symptoms of anxiety and stress vary from person to person. When you feel threatened in some way (physically, mentally, or emotionally), your bodies go on the alert.

The Fight or Flight Response

We may not live in caves anymore, but we still have some natural responses that date back to the time when humans were a lot less civilized. Being stressed in some way means that your body immediately prepares to either stand and fight or get out of the situation as quickly as possible. This is known as the "fight or flight" response.

While this was a great survival technique when our ancestors came face to face with a saber-toothed tiger, it doesn't always help us in the modern-day world. In a situation where we are truly in danger, this massive rush of adrenaline is a good thing, but most of the time we are not facing challenges that are life threatening. Our minds and bodies are not able to tell the difference, and we experience the same physical symptoms of anxiety and stress anyway.

Physical Symptoms of Anxiety and Stress: The List

When your body is under stress, you may experience any or all of the following:

• Increased heart beat
• Rapid breathing
• Dry mouth
• Sweating
• Nausea
• Diarrhea
• Headaches
• Chest pains
• Shaking
• Tingling sensations in the body
• Heart palpitations
• A sensation of "butterflies" in the stomach

If you are subject to a high amount of anxiety and stress over a prolonged period of time, you may experience these types of symptoms:

• Depression
• Irritability
• Changes in sex drive
• Changes in appetite
• Difficulty sleeping
• Lack of motivation
• Back pain

You may also find that you are susceptible to colds and other illnesses when you are under a lot of stress or feeling anxious.

Causes of Anxiety

Everyone feels anxious or stressed out at times; it's just part of living in the modern world. You may be feeling uneasy due to something other than the normal ups and downs of everyday life. Certain prescription medications as well as drugs used for recreational purposes can produce physical symptoms of anxiety and stress. These symptoms can manifest either during use or after you have stopped taking them.

The following types of medications and substances have been linked to symptoms of anxiety:

• Thyroid medications
• Diet pills
• ADHD medications
• Decongestants
• Cocaine
• Tricyclic antidepressants

Dealing with the Physical Symptoms of Anxiety and Stress

If you are feeling anxious, there are some things you can do to help to manage them. It won't be possible to completely eliminate all causes of stress from your life, but there are some things you can to do make coping easier.

The first thing you will want to do is to isolate the cause of your symptoms. If there are certain people or situations that cause you to feel stressed, you may be able to take steps to avoid them as much as possible. Another good strategy is to find someone to talk to about your troubles; if talking to a close friend or family member doesn't make you feel better, you may want to consider seeing a therapist.

Here are some other suggestions to help you cope:

• Eat a balanced diet that includes all four food groups.
• Make sure you get enough sleep.
• Include regular physical activity in your routine.
• If you drink alcohol, do so in moderation.
• Be aware of how much caffeine you are ingesting; too much can make you feel jittery.
• Using nicotine or recreational drugs won't help to bring your stress levels down; avoid them.
• Make a point of spending time with family and friends.
• Find a hobby or an activity that you can include in your schedule on a regular basis.

If you are concerned about the physical symptoms of anxiety and stress that you are experiencing, do consult with your doctor. He or she can determine whether medication or a referral to another healthcare provider is appropriate for your situation.

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