Anxiety in some form is something we all feel once in a while; there will always be certain triggers or events that make us feel anxious and uneasy. Usually, this feeling only lasts for a short space of time, and then we feel better and get back to normal. However, if you are suffering from anxiety in the medical sense, this feeling may well last a lot longer and be a lot worse for you. If this is the case and you are suffering from a form of anxiety disorder, medical advice will always be required. Here are some of the signs to look out for.
Problems Sleeping
One of the biggest problems that comes with any type of anxiety disorder is the lack of sleep associated with it. It might be a problem getting to sleep, or you might find that you can get to sleep easily, but staying asleep through the night is the problem. Of course, we all have sleepless nights because we are worried about something, but with an anxiety disorder, this is a constant problem, not a rare event, and you will be unable to sleep even if there is nothing specific to worry about.
Lying awake at night is terrible for your health because your body cannot heal itself as it would normally do when you sleep. You can develop heart disease, high blood pressure, type II diabetes, put on weight, and lack of sleep is even linked to some cancers. If you can’t sleep, speaking to experts can help, as can aromatherapy or massage. Anything to relax you into sleep is good.
Digestive Issues
Your stomach and digestive system can be very easily disrupted, and anxiety is one of the many things that will do this. Although anxiety is a mental issue, the mind and body are always going to be linked, so it’s no surprise that digestive problems come from anxiety too.
Some of the problems linked to anxiety include:
Generalized stomach aches
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
Diarrhea
Gas
Constipation
Bloating
Your digestive tract is very sensitive and will react negatively to any changes in your life. An anxiety disorder means a prolonged problem, so, therefore, a prolonged stomach complaint. It might even be such an issue that you need to ask is IBS a disability due to your work or other aspects of your life.
Excessive Worrying
It may seem obvious to mention that an anxiety disorder will result in excessive worrying, but it needs to be said; some people may feel that their worrying is entirely normal and not realize that there is another problem underneath.
Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is something that many anxiety sufferers have to deal with. It means that you will be concerned over the smallest of things, causing them to become significant issues in your mind. This is a long-term problem that can interfere with your everyday life, causing sleep issues as mentioned above as well as energy drops, emotional distress, and even weight gain or loss. A diagnosis can usually be made after six months, so don’t hesitate to seek medical advice if and when you need it.