At some point in our lives, we've all dealt with anxiety. Perhaps you can recall a time when you were preparing for a big presentation or a test for which you didn't prepare and experienced the "butterflies." Anxiety is perfectly acceptable in isolated situations, but it becomes a problem when it becomes more common and overwhelming. While we can usually detect the more obvious indications, there are a slew of others that go overlooked.
When we talk about anxiety, we usually mean Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD), but it can also relate to phobias, panic attacks, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It is the outcome of the fight or flight reaction in the face of danger. However, this system can become overactive and activate even when there is little or no risk, disrupting function and quality of life. The following are some of the more common signs and symptoms:
- Nervousness
- Insomnia
- Overthinking
- Hyperventilation
Gut Issues
Anxiety is linked to a variety of stomach issues. Excess gas, bloating, and indigestion are all common symptoms. People with specific gastrointestinal diseases, such as irritable bowel syndrome, may notice that their symptoms worsen when they are anxious. Eating a healthy diet, avoiding coffee, and managing stress are all excellent methods to alleviate these issues.
When you eat too much, notice how your mood actually changes for the worse. But when you eat healthy, you feel really good about yourself too. Therefore if you are already struggling with anxiety, having a healthy diet prevents a further strain to your mood.
Being Forgetful
You may find it difficult to concentrate on other things if you are always overthinking and worrying. This can make it difficult to remember things and arrange your ideas. You can lose track of where certain objects are, what chores you're required to complete, or when you're supposed to meet people. This can be ascribed to anxiety, but it can also be attributed to sleep deprivation caused by anxious symptoms.
During anxiety periods, your mind is constantly thinking about events, scenarios and keeps you away from the present moment. You are basically running on auto pilot most of the time, unaware or not paying much attention to the things that you are actually doing. that makes you become extra forgetful.
Aches and Pains That Aren't Quite Right
Anxiety is accompanied by a slew of physical and psychological symptoms. When you're feeling really worried, you could find that you're experiencing unusual uncomfortable sensations that you can't explain. The fight or flight response causes muscle tension, which causes this.
These are psychosomatic symptoms that the mind and body affect each other in a endless pattern. These pains can eventually manifest into actual health issues after prolonged time although initially it's all in the mind.
Basically the stress from the thoughts are manifested into certain sensations. Anxiety is about worrying what is going to happen in the future. The uncertainty renders you in a state of preparation for danger, even though there is no real danger like war or actual physical harm.
Rashes and Other Skin Disorders
Anxiety can cause strange itching, hives, and other sorts of rashes. This is due to an increase in cortisol and adrenaline, which makes your body more prone to acquiring these problems, according to a 2019 Enlightened Solutions article. However, if a rash gets worse or lasts for a long time, it's crucial to get medical attention because it could be an indication of something serious.
Such illnesses can therefore be reversed, especially when it is triggered by periods of high stress and when the stressors are removed, you start feeling better. On the other hand, having skin disorders can cause further health anxiety, compounding to the problems.
Lethargy
Anxiety is exhausting; being on high alert and worried all of the time is exhausting, especially when anxiety makes sleeping difficult. Anxiety makes it easy to become exhausted, which can lead to problems in other aspects of life. You may have less energy to do the things you used to like, but you may find it difficult to rest.
When you strain your body to prepare for the future threats, you are going to burn yourself out without accomplishing anything. When you believe that a threat is imminent and true, do you start to worry and become anxious.
Final words
Ask yourself, what is it that you are fearful of? Other than being driven from a place of fear, could you come from a place of love, self-love? Does being anxious help you in anyway?