Physical and Psychological Symptoms

Introduction. The Language of the Body and Mind

Anxiety is not a silent experience, but rather manifests itself clearly through a powerful dual language with physical and psychological symptoms.

A thorough understanding of these bodily and mental signals is the fundamental step to managing this emotional state and ultimately regaining lost control.

Physical Symptoms. The Body on Alert

When we feel anxiety, the body reacts with a wide variety of physical sensations, including muscle tension, uncontrollable tremors, and excessive sweating.

It is very common for the heart to race, causing intense tachycardia and an oppressive feeling of lack of oxygen in the chest.

Furthermore, anxiety can become somatized in our digestive system, causing acute stomach pain or persistent and annoying headaches.

Psychological Symptoms. The Mind Trapped in Worry

Beyond bodily reactions, anxiety exerts a profound and exhausting effect on our psyche, immersing us in a state of constant worry.

This state of mind leads us to the false belief that we have absolutely no control over what is happening to us.

Our mind tirelessly dedicates itself to creating and reviewing multiple future scenarios, almost always with the worst possible outcomes, keeping us nervous and irritable.

The Origin of Symptoms. The Fight or Flight Response

The biological origin of all these symptoms is found in the fight or flight response, a mechanism that is activated when faced with a threat.

The brain immediately releases a hormone called adrenaline, which prepares the entire body to face imminent danger, whether real or imagined.

Adrenaline accelerates the heart rate to bring more blood to the muscles, but the problem is that this system is activated without real danger.

The Extreme Manifestation. The Panic Attack

One of the worst and most feared manifestations of anxiety are panic attacks, where symptoms reach their peak abruptly.

During these episodes, the person may feel that they are about to die or that they are having a heart attack, which increases the terror.

Summary

Anxiety manifests itself with both physical and psychological symptoms. The body reacts with tension, rapid heartbeat, and sweating, while the mind enters a state of constant worry, believing it has no control and anticipating negative scenarios.

The origin of these symptoms is the fight-or-flight response. When faced with a threat (real or imagined), the brain releases adrenaline, preparing the body for action. This accelerates the heart and generates tension, even when there is no real danger.

The most extreme manifestation of anxiety is a panic attack, where symptoms intensify abruptly. During these episodes, the person may feel like they are having a heart attack, increasing their terror and feeling of losing control.