Everyone suffers from anxiety from time to time, but chronic anxiety can impact quality of life. Although perhaps most commonly associated with behavioral changes, anxiety can also have serious impacts on physical health. In the short term, anxiety speeds up breathing and heart rate and concentrates blood flow to the brain where you need it. These physical reactions prepare you for stressful situations. As per the partial hospitalization program Ohio, they will help the patient to get recover and get well soon.
However, you may experience dizziness and nausea if it is too intense. Excessive or constant anxiety can have a negative impact on your physical and mental health. Anxiety disorders can occur at any stage of life but usually begin between early adolescence and young adulthood. Women suffer from anxiety disorders more often than men. Stressful life experiences can also increase the risk of anxiety disorders, with a partial hospitalization program Ohio you can be all right. Symptoms may appear immediately or years later. Serious illnesses or substance use disorders can also cause anxiety disorders.
Many Ways Stress and Anxiety Affect the Body
Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD):
GAD is diagnosed when extreme fear of things lasts for six months or more. If your case is mild, you can carry out your regular daily activities. More serious cases can have a major impact on your life.
Social anxiety disorder:
Social anxiety disorder involves a crippling fear of social situations and being judged or belittled by others. This severe social phobia can make a person feel embarrassed and alone. About 15.1% of adults in the United States suffer from social anxiety disorder at some point. More than a third of people with social anxiety disorder wait a decade or more before seeking help.
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Post-traumatic stress disorder occurs after witnessing or experiencing something traumatic. Symptoms may appear immediately or be delayed for years. Common causes include war, natural disasters, or physical attacks. PTSD episodes can be triggered without warning.
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD):
OCD sufferers may feel burdened by the urge to perform certain rituals (compulsively) over and over again or experience intrusive and unwanted thoughts, which can become distressing obsessions. Common compulsions include the habit of washing hands, counting, or checking things. Common obsessions include concern for cleanliness, aggressive impulses, and a need for symmetry.
Phobia:
These phobias include fear of confined spaces (claustrophobia), fear of heights (acrophobia), and many others. You may feel a strong urge to avoid the object or situation you fear.
Panic disorder:
This causes panic attacks, and spontaneous feelings of fear, terror, or impending doom. This attack can occur at any time. You may also suffer from other types of anxiety disorders besides panic disorder.
Central nerve system:
In the long term anxiety and panic attacks will cause the brain to release stress hormones on a completely regular basis. It will help to increase the frequency of symptoms like headaches, dizziness, and depression too. When the person feels stressed tehn brain floods the nervous system with hormones and chemicals to help him. Adrenaline and cortisol are two examples. Long-term exposure to stress hormones, while beneficial for dealing with occasional stress, can be more harmful to your physical health in the long run. For example, long-term exposure to cortisol can cause weight gain.
Cardiovascular system:
Anxiety disorders can cause heart palpitations, palpitations, and chest pain. You may also be at higher risk of high blood pressure and heart disease. If you already suffer from heart disease, anxiety disorders can increase your risk of coronary heart disease.
Excretory and digestive systems:
Anxiety also affects the excretory and digestive systems. You may experience stomach aches, nausea, diarrhea, and other digestive problems. Loss of appetite may also occur. There may be a link between anxiety disorders and the development of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) following intestinal infections. Irritable bowel syndrome can cause vomiting, diarrhea, or constipation.
Immune system:
Anxiety can trigger the “flight or fight” stress response, which releases many chemicals and hormones like adrenaline into your system. In the short term, this increases your heart rate and breathing so your brain can receive more oxygen. This prepares you to respond appropriately to difficult situations. Your immune system can even be strengthened in a short time.
With occasional stress, your body returns to normal function when the stress passes. However, when you suffer from chronic stress, your body never receives signals to return to normal functioning. This can weaken your immune system and make you more susceptible to viral infections and common illnesses.