Question:
Symptoms of anxiety? I’m sure my symptoms have a physical cause. How can THAT be caused by anxiety?!
Answer:
If tests reveal no physical ailment to cause the symptoms you are experiencing, and doctors tell you that these signs are caused by anxiety, this does not mean that there is no physical cause.
Your symptoms do have a physical cause.
In the body, anxiety is a physical reaction that has very real physical effects.
Anxiety symptoms are very real, and do have physical origins.
One of the functions of our sympathetic nervous system is to keep us alive if there is danger that we must fight off or escape from. You have probably heard of the “fight-or-flight” response – this is exactly the response that the sympathetic nervous system brings on.Any time the sympathetic nervous system is activated, we experience feelings of anxiety (and get symptoms of panic and anxiety). Imagine the way you feel right before competing in a sporting event: heart racing, maybe you’re a bit shaky, you feel excited. Excitement is one form of anxiety.
If we can physically run from danger, run a race, compete in a sport, etc, the body performs optimally because of the sympathetic nervous system.
Although anxiety can cause all of these symptoms, remember that these symptoms can have other causes, too. Make sure to see a medical professional for a complete checkup if you do experience these symptoms to rule out medical causes before assuming that anxiety is the cause.
For more details about the fight-or-flight response, see this page
Click here to read more about symptoms of anxiety.
Click here to read about the causes of anxiety.
For fast, effective relief of anxiety, check out When Panic Attacks: The New, Drug-Free Anxiety Therapy That Can Change Your Life at Amazon.
Symptoms of Anxiety and the Reasons We Experience Them
Here are some anxiety symptoms and the reasons we experience them:
| Anxiety Symptom | Cause |
|---|---|
| Numbness in the extremities | hyperventilation, diversion of blood flow |
| Memory problems | survival mode, dissociation |
| Concentration problems | survival mode, dissociation |
| Racing heart | stress hormones |
| Chest pain | racing heart, tight muscles, rapid breathing, fear, muscle fatigue |
| Black spots in vision | hyperventilation, increased blood pressure |
| Blurred vision | hyperventilation, increased blood pressure, dilated pupils |
| Emotional detachment | survival mode, dissociation |
| Trembling, shaking | tensed muscles, muscle fatigue from tension |
| Sweating | cooling the body in preparation for exertion |
| Blushing | increased blood pressure, fear |
| Tight chest | hyperventilation, muscle tension |
| Pounding head | increased blood pressure |
| Headache | increased blood pressure, muscle tension, clenched jaw |
| Neck pain | muscle tension |
| Back pain. | muscle tension |
| Muscle cramping | muscle tension, muscle fatigue |
| Face pain | muscle tension, clenched jaw |
| Numbness in the extremities | hyperventilation, diversion of blood flow |
| Stomach pain | shut down digestion |
| Nausea | shut down digestion, stress hormones |
| Dry mouth | shut down digestion |
| Diarrhea | stress hormones, irritation of digestive tract |
| Problems with blood sugar | Decreased insulin production |
| Cholesterol problems | Changes in metabolism |
| Metabolic problems | Changes in metabolism |
| Other pain | tensed muscles, stress hormones, digestion changes |
| Other illness. | immune system suppression |
