Effects of Anxiety on the Human Body

Posted by kinderinthekeys on January 2nd, 2020

While everyone must deal with periodic situational bouts of anxiety, for most people those periods of panic are passing. However, for those who suffer from anxiety disorders, those unsettling feelings can take hold of one’s life and impact almost every aspect of it, including professional endeavors, personal relationships, and overall happiness.

Anxiety can go well beyond just your mental and emotional outlook, however, as chronic anxiety can elicit a cascade of negative effects that impact your physical state and your overall health. Many people become overwhelmed by the combination of ill effects cause by chronic anxiety and seek help from anxiety disorder treatment facilities. Keep reading to learn more about a few of the impacts that anxiety can have on the human body.

Central Nervous System

Your brain is part of your central nervous system, as it acts as the supercomputer that consciously and subconsciously controls your body. First, when you feel extreme anxiety, your brain will be triggered to release stress hormones that can lead to dizziness, light-headedness, severe headaches, and depression. One specific stress hormone known as cortisol can also trigger your body to store fat rather than burning it, which can lead to weight gain. Stress hormones are meant to provide a temporary advantage in stressful situations, but continued exposure to them can have many adverse effects on the body.

Cardiovascular System

Those same hormones released by the brain in response to stress can take a toll on your cardiovascular health as well. Stress hormones can result in accelerated heart rate and increased blood pressure as the body is prepared for stressful exertion. If these conditions persist due to chronic anxiety disorder, they can manifest in more serious medical conditions such as cardiovascular disease, stroke, and serious coronary events.

Digestive System

Anxiety can wreak havoc on your digestive system as well. While different anxiety disorder sufferers manifest digestive distress in different ways, some type of digestive dysfunction is a common symptom. This can include diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, stomach aches, and development of irritable bowel syndrome. For some who live with anxiety disorder, there is a loss of appetite that can initiate other negative health consequences as nutrition diminishes.

Immune System

When your body initiates its stress response protocol, your immune system gets a boost to help fend off any potential threats that may be forthcoming. However, when you suffer from chronic anxiety, your immune system is in a heightened state of alert all the time and never gets a break. This can lead to a depression of the immune system which can leave you vulnerable to communicable illnesses as your body’s natural defense system is overtaxed.

If you suffer from anxiety disorder, it’s important to get help from anxiety disorder treatment facilities to prevent a broad range of physical impacts on your body. Anxiety isn’t just taxing mentally but can manifest itself through adverse effects on the body’s main systems.