Physical Symptoms of Anxiety
Your Body Isn't Making This Up
The symptoms are real, even if the danger isn't
You've been to A&E. Had blood tests. ECGs. Scans. Everything comes back "normal" but you still feel terrible. Dizzy. Nauseous. Chest pain. Exhausted. "It's just anxiety," they say, as if that makes the physical pain disappear.
You're not imagining these symptoms. You're not being dramatic. Your body is having a real, physical response to perceived danger. The problem? Your alarm system is misfiring, creating symptoms of danger when you're actually safe
Understanding your symptoms is the first step to stopping them
Anxiety triggers over 100 physical symptoms through your nervous system, hormones, and muscles. When you understand what's happening and why, the symptoms lose their power to terrify you.
Your body's anxiety response affects:
Cardiovascular system - Racing heart, chest pain, palpitations
Respiratory system - Shortness of breath, hyperventilation
Digestive system - Nausea, diarrhea, stomach pain
Nervous system - Dizziness, tingling, numbness
Muscular system - Tension, trembling, weakness
Energy systems - Fatigue, exhaustion, tired but wired
THE MOST COMMON PHYSICAL SYMPTOMS
Dizziness & Balance Issues
Room spinning sensations
Feeling unsteady or off-balance
Fear of fainting
Visual disturbances [Learn more about anxiety dizziness]
Chest Symptoms
Tightness like a band around chest
Sharp pains
Can't get a deep breath
Heart palpitations [Learn more about chest tightness]
Digestive Issues
Morning nausea
Can't eat when anxious
Stomach churning
IBS symptoms [Learn more about anxiety nausea]
Exhaustion & Fatigue
Tired but can't rest
Energy crashes
Morning exhaustion
Chronic fatigue
THE SYMPTOM CYCLE
How anxiety creates physical symptoms:
Trigger - Stress, worry, or even subconscious anxiety
Alarm - Amygdala signals danger
Chemical cascade - Adrenaline and cortisol flood your system
Physical changes - Body prepares for fight or flight
Symptoms appear - Dizziness, nausea, chest pain, etc.
Fear of symptoms - "What's wrong with me?"
More anxiety - Fear creates more symptoms
Cycle continues - Symptoms maintain themselves
how i can help
Physical symptom protocol
Immediate Relief:
Symptom-specific techniques
Grounding exercises
Breathing normalization
Muscle tension release
Nervous system regulation
Long-term Resolution:
Identify your symptom triggers
Break the fear-symptom cycle
Build body confidence
Reduce symptom monitoring
Prevent symptom return
WHEN TO SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION
Always get new symptoms checked, but these suggest anxiety:
Symptoms worse during stress
Multiple seemingly unrelated symptoms
Symptoms that move around the body
Relief when distracted
Normal medical tests
Symptoms matching your fears
Seek immediate medical help for:
Chest pain with arm/jaw pain
Sudden severe headache
Difficulty breathing with blue lips
Loss of consciousness
Sudden weakness on one side
PHYSICAL SYMPTOM THERAPY ADDRESSES
Understanding why symptoms happen
Immediate relief techniques
Breaking the symptom-fear cycle
Distinguishing anxiety from illness
Building trust in your body
Reducing symptom hypervigilance
Managing multiple symptoms
Preventing symptom escalation
Ready to get started?