Everybody experiences anxiety occasionally. It is the body’s natural response to fear and can be beneficial in healthy doses. However, for those who suffer from chronic anxiety, it can leave a negative mark on the body, mind, and spirit. It is estimated that 41 million adults cope with an anxiety disorder each year. And, in the past two years, these numbers are likely to increase.
When someone is experiencing anxiety, they may feel light-headed, nervous, or feel an increase in heart rate. People can experience anxiety for a variety of reasons; being nervous for a job interview, a meeting, or a test in school. Once the event or situation is over, their lives go back to normal.
For someone who copes with chronic anxiety, the symptoms are anything but temporary. In fact, chronic anxiety is not only exhausting on the mind but can have damaging effects on the body as well. Leaving anxiety untreated can not only dramatically affect all areas of your life but can affect your health.
Here is just some of the tolls that anxiety can have on different parts of the body.
Nervous System
When your body is experiencing stress, it produces a hormone called cortisol. Cortisol is called the stress hormone and is aptly named. The adrenal gland produces cortisol. When our bodies are under a lot of stress, it produces cortisol. When our anxiety levels are normal, our cortisol production is reduced.
So what? Well, having too much of something isn’t always a good thing and is especially true here. Elevated levels of cortisol can cause rapid weight gain, high blood pressure, and even osteoporosis. When the body produces too much cortisol, it presents itself through mood swings, skin changes, and even muscle weakness. Too much cortisol in the body will also just lead to more anxiety-related issues that can become uncontrollable.
Another hormone our bodies produce is adrenaline. Adrenaline can be a fantastic thing. It increases our energy levels, helping us to get things done. But, too much adrenaline can also be a bad thing. When your body produces too much adrenaline, it will eventually begin to weaken the immune system. And as the body becomes weaker, it will be less properly able to handle anxiety.
Cardiovascular System
Someone who experiences anxiety knows what it feels like. To have a racing heart, palpitations, and even chest pain. While these are common symptoms of anxiety, the extra pressure and stress on your heart can lead to some very serious heart conditions. It also puts you at risk for high blood pressure and heart diseases. And, this doesn’t even factor in other factors such as weight, height, or family history.
Digestive System
It’s not uncommon for people to experience digestive issues along with their anxiety. Many people will experience stomach aches, nausea, or diarrhea. It is also not uncommon for loss of appetite to occur either. With the digestive system so out of whack, people with chronic anxiety are also more likely to experience fluctuations with their weight as the body struggles to keep up.
Respiratory System
A classic symptom of anxiety is the affect it has on breathing. Anxiety will cause breathing to become shallow and more rapid. Akin to hyperventilating, this will put added pressure on your lungs to force your body to function properly.
Other Major Symptoms
There are many other symptoms of anxiety that take a massive toll on the body. From constant headaches, insomnia, muscle weakness, and depression,
Life With Anxiety Is Not Easy
Coping with the affects of anxiety is hard on everyone. It can feel like an uphill battle, for the fight of your life, to try and gain some control over anxiety. Even though it is hard, it is really important to make sure that your anxiety levels stay under control. If not, it can lead to damaging, long-term effects on your body which can decrease your quality and quantity of life.
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If you are experiencing any of these symptoms frequently, please don’t wait to reach out for help. We know how scary it is to admit that you need support, but in the long-run, taking control over the anxiety now will help you.
