It’s estimated that about 6.8 million adults are diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder each year. (1) So it is safe to say, anxiety is a prevalent and common concern in the general population. We know that anxiety is associated with racing thoughts, feelings of overwhelm, and emotional volatility, but have you ever thought about how anxiety may be impacting your physical health as well?

Today we will take a deeper dive into the connection between the mind and body as it relates to anxiety.

What are the physical symptoms associated with anxiety?

Anxiety is not simply a mental or emotional form of distress. Anxiety has immediate impacts on the way that our body responds to an experience with very distinct physical symptoms. Some of these symptoms include:

Increased heart rate
Rapid or shallow breathing
Chest or abdominal pain or tightness
Gastric issues including indigestion, nausea, or diarrhea
Headaches or migraines
Insomnia or poor sleep quality
Fatigue
Appetite changes (2)

Are there long-term effects of anxiety on physical health?

Unfortunately, anxiety that does go untreated is correlated with a number of longer-term physical health concerns. These include:

Increased risk of heart attack (3)
Memory loss or poor memory retention (4)
Increased rates of gastrointestinal concerns and gastrointestinal disease (5)
And increased rates of auto-immune diseases. (6)

Well, that sounds like pretty bleak news for anxiety sufferers.

While this may look like a grim prognosis for those who struggle with anxiety, it is important to know that anxiety is treatable and manageable, and support exists for the management and treatment of anxiety-based disorders. There are numerous evidence-based interventions for anxiety treatment through lifestyle changes, anxiety therapy intervention, and medication, so even if you have sought out treatment and felt unsuccessful in the past, keep trying! There is hope in anxiety treatment and your mental and physical health are worth your time and effort!

So if I am looking to start therapy, what types of therapy are best for anxiety?

Great questions! 3 of the most evidence-based models for anxiety treatment that are offered through our counseling practice include:

CBT: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
DBT: Dialectical Behavioral Therapy
EMDR: Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing

So if you have ever wondered whether or not it was worth investing in your mental health and wellness, the connection between the physical and the mental may help add some further motivation to take care of your mental health and well-being.

Interested in learning more? If you are interested in learning more about effective treatments for anxiety, our team is equipped to help. We employ licensed therapists trained and evidence-based practices for the management and treatment of anxiety disorders. Whether you are interested in in-person services through our Arlington, Texas based therapy group or online therapy services, we would love to connect with you and help you reach your physical and mental health goals.

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