Physical Symptoms of Panic Disorder and Anxiety

Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsMuscle Tension and PainChest PainShortness of BreathHeadaches and MigrainesIrritable Bowel SyndromeTiredness and InsomniaHow to Cope

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

Muscle Tension and Pain

Chest Pain

Shortness of Breath

Headaches and Migraines

Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Tiredness and Insomnia

How to Cope

Close

People diagnosed with anxiety disorders like panic disorder often experience uncomfortable physical symptoms, including sweating, accelerated heart rate,shaking, trembling, and tense muscles. Given the severity of these physical symptoms, it’s not surprising that many people with panic disorder seek emergency medical care.

One 2016 study reported that there were 1,247,000 anxiety-related ER visits annually.Unfortunately, panic disorder is often misdiagnosed in emergency rooms due to the complexity of the condition, the wide range of symptoms, and the similarity to other illnesses.

While anxiety conditions are widespread, they often go undiagnosed or untreated. Because women are affected at approximately twice the rate of men, experts now recommend that girls and women over the age of 13 should be screened for anxiety as part of routine preventative healthcare.

Muscle pain and discomfort can often be managed throughrelaxation techniques. Exercises that can help calm and relax the body include breathing exercises, progressive muscle relaxation, and visualization.

Yoga is an activity that includes many aspects of relaxation with the additional benefits ofexercise for panic disorder.

Can Yoga Help Anxiety and Panic Disorder?

Chest pain is one of the most frightening physical symptoms of panic attacks. This is also the symptom that most often sends people with panic disorder to the emergency room. When chest pain occurs during a panic attack, it’s not uncommon for the person to believe they are experiencing a medical emergency, such as a heart attack.

Many people report that they find it difficult to breathe during a panic attack. Some describe it as a suffocating or smothering feeling; others say it’s more like a choking sensation. Regardless of how it’s described,shortness of breathcan be a frightening experience, and one that may lead to a fear of fainting or even death. This, in turn only, heightens panic and anxiety.

Even though shortness of breath can be scary and upsetting, it’s often manageable with coping techniques, such as deepbreathing exercises.

People with panic disorder are more prone to experiencing headaches. Additionally, those diagnosed with panic disorder have also been found to experience migraines and other severe headaches.

Many people with panic disorder have reported that headaches and migraines often develop right after a panic attack.

Treatment options for panic disorderand co-occurring headaches and migraines are available. Some medications used to treat panic disorder have been found to be a safe and effective way also to treat co-occurring headaches.

However, somemedications for panic disordermay actually contribute to headaches. Talk to your doctor about a treatment plan to help you manage both conditions.

What Causes Panic Attacks?

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a digestive disorder estimated in some studies to affect up to 20% of U.S. adults. The symptoms of IBS include bloating, frequent stomachaches, diarrhea, cramping, and constipation.

Studies have found that IBS is more prevalent among people with anxiety disorders.

Both IBS and panic attacks involve a great deal ofanticipatory anxiety, feelings of embarrassment, and avoidance behaviors. IBS and panic disorder have been found to respond favorably to medication, psychotherapy, or a combination of these two treatment options.

Chronic worry, simply put, is exhausting, so it’s typical for people with anxiety disorders like panic disorder—which often creates a cycle of fear about having another panic attack—to be fatigued.

Sometimes worry or other anxiety symptoms make falling or staying asleep difficult. This can then take a toll on other aspects of physical and psychological well-being.

For people experiencing even mild sleep disruptions, anxiety treatment is likely to involve changes to the bedtime routine. Going to bed at the same time each night, creating a restful sleep environment, and avoiding tech devices at bedtime are a few strategies that can help.

Coping With the Physical Symptoms of Anxiety

The physical symptoms of anxiety can be exhausting and distressing, but there are strategies you can turn to cope. Some tactics you might try include:

If you or a loved one are struggling with panic disorder or anxiety, contact theSubstance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helplineat1-800-662-4357for information on support and treatment facilities in your area.For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.

If you or a loved one are struggling with panic disorder or anxiety, contact theSubstance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helplineat1-800-662-4357for information on support and treatment facilities in your area.

For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.

Panic Disorder Definition, Causes, and Treatment

4 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Dark T, Flynn HA, Rust G, Kinsell H, Harman JS.Epidemiology of emergency department visits for anxiety in the United States: 2009-2011.Psychiatr Serv.2017;68(3):238-244. doi:10.1176/appi.ps.201600148Gregory KD, Chelmow D, Nelson HD, et al.Screening for anxiety in adolescent and adult women: A recommendation from the Women’s Preventive Services Initiative.Ann Intern Med. 2020. doi:0.7326/M20-0580Belleville G, Folds-Busque G, Marchand A.Characteristics of panic disorder patients consulting an emergency department with noncardiac chest pain.Prim Psychiatry.2010;17(3):35-42.Grzesiak M, Beszłej JA, Mulak A, et al.The lifetime prevalence of anxiety disorders among patients with irritable bowel syndrome.Adv Clin Exp Med. 2014;23(6):987-992. doi:10.17219/acem/37356Additional ReadingAmerican Psychiatric Association.Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.5th edition. 2013.

4 Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Dark T, Flynn HA, Rust G, Kinsell H, Harman JS.Epidemiology of emergency department visits for anxiety in the United States: 2009-2011.Psychiatr Serv.2017;68(3):238-244. doi:10.1176/appi.ps.201600148Gregory KD, Chelmow D, Nelson HD, et al.Screening for anxiety in adolescent and adult women: A recommendation from the Women’s Preventive Services Initiative.Ann Intern Med. 2020. doi:0.7326/M20-0580Belleville G, Folds-Busque G, Marchand A.Characteristics of panic disorder patients consulting an emergency department with noncardiac chest pain.Prim Psychiatry.2010;17(3):35-42.Grzesiak M, Beszłej JA, Mulak A, et al.The lifetime prevalence of anxiety disorders among patients with irritable bowel syndrome.Adv Clin Exp Med. 2014;23(6):987-992. doi:10.17219/acem/37356Additional ReadingAmerican Psychiatric Association.Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.5th edition. 2013.

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Dark T, Flynn HA, Rust G, Kinsell H, Harman JS.Epidemiology of emergency department visits for anxiety in the United States: 2009-2011.Psychiatr Serv.2017;68(3):238-244. doi:10.1176/appi.ps.201600148Gregory KD, Chelmow D, Nelson HD, et al.Screening for anxiety in adolescent and adult women: A recommendation from the Women’s Preventive Services Initiative.Ann Intern Med. 2020. doi:0.7326/M20-0580Belleville G, Folds-Busque G, Marchand A.Characteristics of panic disorder patients consulting an emergency department with noncardiac chest pain.Prim Psychiatry.2010;17(3):35-42.Grzesiak M, Beszłej JA, Mulak A, et al.The lifetime prevalence of anxiety disorders among patients with irritable bowel syndrome.Adv Clin Exp Med. 2014;23(6):987-992. doi:10.17219/acem/37356

Dark T, Flynn HA, Rust G, Kinsell H, Harman JS.Epidemiology of emergency department visits for anxiety in the United States: 2009-2011.Psychiatr Serv.2017;68(3):238-244. doi:10.1176/appi.ps.201600148

Gregory KD, Chelmow D, Nelson HD, et al.Screening for anxiety in adolescent and adult women: A recommendation from the Women’s Preventive Services Initiative.Ann Intern Med. 2020. doi:0.7326/M20-0580

Belleville G, Folds-Busque G, Marchand A.Characteristics of panic disorder patients consulting an emergency department with noncardiac chest pain.Prim Psychiatry.2010;17(3):35-42.

Grzesiak M, Beszłej JA, Mulak A, et al.The lifetime prevalence of anxiety disorders among patients with irritable bowel syndrome.Adv Clin Exp Med. 2014;23(6):987-992. doi:10.17219/acem/37356

American Psychiatric Association.Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.5th edition. 2013.

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