When thinking of an anxiety disorder, most people think of the common symptoms — racing heartbeat, overthinking, shortness of breath, etc. However, the symptoms of anxiety are not limited to the ones that make you anxious mentally. Physical symptoms of anxiety are real, too. In fact, they often hide under the radar, and people continue suffering from anxiety disorders for years without ever realizing the signs.
Anxiety is a very complex mental disorder, and its symptoms exist on a broad spectrum. It is important to know and understand the unusual anxiety symptoms to identify them in yourself or the people around you. On that note, let us dive deeper into five unusual anxiety symptoms to probably didn’t know about to broaden your knowledge of the disorder.
The Most Unusual Anxiety Symptoms
1. Hot flashes and chills.
We commonly associate hot flashes and chills with physical illnesses like colds or flu. However, that isn’t always the scenario. According to Mayo Clinic, panic attacks arising from anxiety can cause hot flashes and chills, similar to what you experience while having a fever. As per the University of Michigan, not just during a panic attack, a person with generalized anxiety disorder can experience symptoms of sweating and chills too.
2. Phantom ringing.
Tinnitus, or the constant ringing in the ears, is one of the lesser-known unusual anxiety symptoms. As per anxietycentre.com, if you hear continuous ringing, swishing, and buzzing sounds in your ear, they might be a sign of anxiety.
Read more: 7 Anti-Anxiety Foods You Must Try
3. Hives and skin rashes
Psyhcodermatology is a science that is associated with the connection between your mind and skin. Research in the field by Postepy Dermatol Alergol found a link between anxiety disorders and skin problems like hives or skin rashes. The study suggests that people with anxiety are often stuck in a cycle where symptoms of anxiety worsen, itching, and vice-versa.
4. Jaw Pain
Waking up with a feeling of pain in the jaw or toothache might also be a sign of anxiety. As per a study by Demirhan Dıraçoǧlu, there is a connection between people diagnosed with anxiety and temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ). TMJ includes:
- joint clicking,
- facial soreness, and
- jaw pain.
Anxiety can also cause the concerned individual to grind their teeth or clench their jaw. The condition is commonly known as bruxism.
5. Stomach Butterflies
Another one of the unusual anxiety symptoms includes digestion or gastrointestinal issues, commonly known as stomach butterflies. As per John Hopkins, there is a direct connection between your brain and your gut. Just as the thought of eating can make your mouth water, similarly, an upset intestine can send similar signals to your brain and trigger mood changes.
Read more: Relaxation-Induced Anxiety – When Relaxing Stresses You Out.
Conclusion:
While there are several common recognizable symptoms of anxiety, there are some unusual and lesser-known ones too. It can be pretty frustrating to deal with these symptoms, especially when they don’t clearly understand what is happening to them. In such times, proper and timely professional help is the need of the hour. A healthcare provider can help you understand and analyze your situation and chalk-out effective strategies for recovery.
Getting professional help has become easier with the advent of online therapy platforms. To learn about the most affordable and convenient online therapy platforms, click here.
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