It may come as a surprise to find out that anxiety can cause many physical reactions. People often mistakenly believe that anxiety is an exclusively emotional experience. However, in truth, it can cause very unpleasant and upsetting physical symptoms. These symptoms can be highly distressing and can exacerbate or foster emotional anxiety in a person.

Physical symptoms of anxiety can manifest in two ways or a combination of the two. The symptoms appear after a person experiences emotions related to anxiety, or the symptoms appear before or in place of the emotions of anxiety.

Most people can easily understand physical symptoms of anxiety when one becomes anxious emotionally because the majority of us have experienced these symptoms personally at one time or another. One of the most common fears we humans have is fear of speaking in public. Even professional speakers will tell you about strong physical symptoms of anxiety when confronted with getting before an audience.

Someone who is nervous about speaking in front of a group of people can easily identify the physical symptoms of this anxiety. This anxiety almost always follows the same path, with gradually increasing symptoms until the time to speak. Recognizing these symptoms can help identify other situations which may trigger anxiety.

An individual may not recognize certain physical symptoms of anxiety that may be experienced prior to the emotions of anxiety. For example, a patient who arrives at the hospital with chest pains may be experiencing a physical symptom of anxiety. The chest pains cause the patient to worry about other potential health problems, but there arent any other signs of anxiety. Testing and a thorough examination by emergency room staff reveal no physical reason for the chest pain. During a discussion between the doctor and patient, it comes to light that the patient's job is highly stressful and he is currently experiencing difficulties in his personal life. These are the factors that have led to the anxiety attack.

Even though the patient does not feel that the challenges he is currently facing in his life are causing him to feel anxious, his body is exhibiting a physical symptom of anxiety instead of an emotional one. The chest pains are his body's direct reaction to the stress that he is experiencing. Tightness in the chest or chest pain, shortness of breath, shakiness and unsteadiness in the legs, increased heart rate, and digestive distress like vomiting or nausea are some of the physical symptoms of anxiety.

You do not have to fear that anxiety will take control of your life. There a several effective ways to control anxiety and lead a normal life. Indeed, medication is not the only option to alleviate the physical symptoms of anxiety. There are techniques that can be learned and even natural remedies to dealing with anxiety attacks. Talk to your doctor about your options so that you can choose what is right for you.