Everyone experiences anxiety at some point in their lives, but chronic anxiety can reduce your quality of life. While most people associate anxiety with behavioral changes, it can also have serious physical consequences. Continue reading to learn more about anxiety’s major physical consequences, or look into how improving sleep can improve your mental and physical health.

The effects of anxiety on the body

Anxiety is a natural part of life. You may have been nervous before speaking in front of a group or during a job interview, for example.

In the short term, anxiety increases your breathing and heart rate, concentrating blood flow to your brain, which you require. This physical response is preparing you for a stressful situation.

You may feel lightheaded and nauseous if it becomes too intense. Excessive or persistent anxiety can have a negative impact on your physical and mental well-being.

Anxiety disorders can strike at any age, but they are most common in people in their forties and fifties. Women are more likely than men to suffer from anxiety disorders, according to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH).

Anxiety disorders are more likely to develop as a result of stressful life events. Symptoms may manifest immediately or years later. An anxiety disorder can develop as a result of a serious medical condition or a drug or alcohol addiction.

Anxiety disorders can take many different forms. These are the details:

Anxiety disorder with generalized anxiety symptoms (GAD)

GAD is characterized by excessive anxiety for no apparent reason. GAD affects approximately 6.8 million adults in the United States each year, according to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA).

GAD is diagnosed when extreme worry about a variety of things lasts six months or longer. If you have a mild case, you should be able to go about your daily routine as usual. Severe cases may have a profound effect on your life.

Anxiety associated with social situations

A crippling fear of being judged or humiliated in social situations characterizes this disorder. This severe form of social anxiety can make you feel ashamed and alone.

According to the ADAA, social anxiety disorder affects about 15 million adults in the United States. The average age at which symptoms appear is around 13 years old. More than a third of people with social anxiety disorder wait a decade or more before seeking help.

PTSD stands for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

PTSD can develop after witnessing or experiencing something traumatic. Symptoms can appear suddenly or gradually over time. Common causes include war, natural disasters, and physical attacks. PTSD attacks can strike without warning and at any time.

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)

People with OCD may feel compelled to repeat certain rituals (compulsions) over and over, or they may experience intrusive and distressing thoughts (obsessions).

Hand-washing compulsions are common, as are counting compulsions and checking compulsions. Obsessions with cleanliness, aggressive tendencies, and symmetry are all common obsessions.

Phobias

They include claustrophobia (fear of confined spaces), acrophobia (fear of heights), and a variety of other fears. It’s possible that you’ll feel compelled to avoid the feared object or situation.

Anxiety problems

This can cause panic attacks, anxiety, terror, or a sense of impending doom. Physical symptoms include heart palpitations, chest pain, and shortness of breath.

These attacks may occur at any time. You could have another type of anxiety disorder in addition to panic disorder.

Nervous system (CNS)

Long-term anxiety and panic attacks can cause your brain to release stress hormones on a regular basis. Headaches, dizziness, and depression may become more common as a result of this.

Your brain sends hormones and chemicals to your nervous system when you’re anxious or stressed to help you respond to a threat. Stress hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol are two examples.

While stress hormones can help you cope with high-stress situations on occasion, long-term exposure can be harmful to your physical health. Cortisol exposure over time, for example, can cause weight gain.

The circulatory system

Anxiety disorders are characterized by a rapid heart rate, palpitations, and chest pain. You might also be more susceptible to high blood pressure or heart disease. If you already have heart disease, anxiety disorders may increase your risk of coronary events.

The excretory and digestive systems

Your digestive and excretory systems are affected by anxiety. It’s possible to experience stomachaches, nausea, diarrhea, and other digestive issues. It’s possible that you won’t feel hungry.

There may be a link between anxiety disorders and the development of irritable bowel syndrome after a bowel infection (IBS). IBS symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, and constipation.

System of defense

Anxiety triggers your fight-or-flight stress response, which floods your system with chemicals and hormones, including adrenaline.

In the short term, this increases your pulse and breathing rate, allowing your brain to receive more oxygen. In a stressful situation, this will help you react appropriately. For a short time, your immune system might even get a boost. Your body returns to normal functioning when you are under occasional stress.

Your body will never receive the signal to return to normal functioning if you are anxious and stressed on a regular basis or for an extended period of time. Your immune system may deteriorate as a result, making you more vulnerable to viral infections and illnesses. Furthermore, if you suffer from anxiety, your regular vaccines may not be as effective.

The pulmonary system

Anxiety manifests itself in rapid, shallow breathing. If you have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), you may be more likely to be hospitalized due to anxiety-related complications. Anxiety can make asthma symptoms worse.

Other possible outcomes

Other anxiety disorder signs and symptoms include:

• headaches from muscle tension
• insomnia
• depression
• social isolation