How dangerous is anxiety?

 How dangerous is anxiety?

Anxiety, when it persists for a long time, has a profound effect on mental and physical health and is more common in women than in men.

Anxiety affects the central nervous system and releases stress hormones, which cause symptoms such as headaches, dizziness, and depression.

Anxiety increases heart rate, causes chest pain and high blood pressure, and also weakens the digestive and immune systems.

Generally, anxiety is a state of fear that is associated with thinking about any subject, event, situation, and condition for a long time. Everyone experiences anxiety, but long-term anxiety can affect the quality of life.

Anxiety not only causes changes in behavior, but it can also affect physical health. So, what effect does anxiety have on the body and what problems can it cause?

Effects of anxiety on the body

The reason why anxiety affects the body is because it has become a part of our lives. For example, anxiety may be felt before an interview or presentation. Short-term anxiety can increase your heart rate and breathing rate.

It can focus blood flow to the brain, where it is needed. These are physical reactions that prepare you for a situation. If these are too intense, you may also experience symptoms such as lightheadedness or nausea.

When anxiety becomes too intense and lasts for a long time, it can have a profound effect on your mental and physical health. Anxiety disorders can occur at any stage of life, but they usually begin in middle age. Anxiety disorders are more common in women than men.

Stressful life experiences can increase your risk of developing anxiety disorders and the effects of anxiety on your body can worsen. Symptoms can appear immediately or take years to develop. Serious medical conditions or substance abuse can also cause anxiety disorders.

The effects of anxiety on the central nervous system

When anxiety affects the body, it is important to first understand how the nervous system is affected. Long-term anxiety and panic attacks cause the brain to release stress hormones on a regular basis. This can lead to symptoms such as headaches, dizziness, and depression appearing more quickly and more frequently.

When we feel anxious and stressed, the brain floods the nervous system with hormones and chemicals that are designed to respond to danger. Adrenaline and cortisol are two such examples.

Sometimes stress can be helpful in getting things done, but prolonged stress is harmful to physical health. Long-term exposure to cortisol can lead to weight gain. That is why it is said that anxiety has a bad effect on the body.

Effects of anxiety on the heart

The effects of anxiety are not limited to the central nervous system, it also affects the heart. Anxiety disorders increase the heart rate. It can also cause chest pain, irregular heartbeat. It also increases the risk of high blood pressure and heart disease. If someone already has heart disease, anxiety disorders can increase the risk of coronary heart disease.

Effects of anxiety on the digestive system

Anxiety also negatively affects our digestive system. It causes stomach pain, vomiting, diarrhea, and other digestive problems. Problems like loss of appetite may also occur. There may also be a connection between anxiety disorders and irritable bowel syndrome. Irritable bowel syndrome causes vomiting, diarrhea, and constipation.

Effects of anxiety on the immune system

The effects of anxiety can weaken the immune system. In the short term, it increases the heart rate and breathing rate, which leads to more oxygen reaching the brain. This prepares us to respond appropriately to acute situations.

It can strengthen our immune system for a short time. Sometimes, after going through stress, our body returns to normal.

But if we feel anxious and stressed repeatedly or it lasts for a long time, the body does not receive the signal to return to normal. This weakens the immune system, which makes us more susceptible to viral infections and recurring illnesses. Also, if a person suffers from anxiety, even regular vaccinations may not work.

Effects of Anxiety on the Respiratory System

Anxiety also seriously affects the respiratory system. Anxiety causes rapid breathing. If you have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, anxiety-related complications can increase your risk of hospitalization. Anxiety can also make asthma symptoms worse.

Other effects of anxiety

-Muscle pain or tension

-Insomnia

-Social distancing

-Pain

-Depression

-Headache

Types of anxiety disorders

Generalized anxiety disorder: In this disorder, the person feels a lot of stress without any logical reason.

Social anxiety disorder: This disorder involves the fear of social situations and being evaluated or humiliated by others.

Post-traumatic stress disorder: This disorder develops after witnessing or experiencing a traumatic event.

Obsessive-compulsive disorder: In this disorder, the person affected has a desire to do something repeatedly, such as washing hands, counting.

Panic Disorder: This includes panic attacks, feelings of involuntary anxiety, fear, etc.