Can anxiety cause aches and fatigue?

Hi. It’s Jenny at AnxietyBoss.com. Our question today is from Fred in Kansas City. Can anxiety cause aches and fatigue?

A sedentary lifestyle can lead to osteoporosis, as well as other ailments. If you are full of aches and pains, constantly tired and not getting the proper nutrients to protect your muscles, you’ll hardly be up to even a walk around the block.

Can anxiety cause aches and fatigue? Yes. It can. In fact, pain and lack of energy are sure indicators of anxiety disorder. Some of these symptoms are rapid breathing, restlessness, panic, diarrhea, sweating, stomachache and fast heartbeat. Chronic bacterial infections are also common with people suffering with aches from an anxiety problem, and this is due to a compromised immune system.

Arthritis and fibromyalgia affect millions of people around the world and are characterized by musculoskeletal pain, stiffness, as well as chronic aching. Symptoms of fibromyalgia or FM include allergies, dizziness, heart palpitations, mental confusion and, of course, anxiety. While there is no single cause for this ailment, it is strongly believed that traumatic events and stress are major factors in the development of FM.

Bad sleeping habits and pain go hand in hand with fibromyalgia. Certain lifestyle changes will help to alleviate symptoms, but often a physician is necessary to look at the symptoms and treat each one to deal with the disorder. Eating a well-balanced nutritional diet, getting regular exercise and enough sleep, as well as limiting caffeine and alcohol consumption, are just some of the coping techniques that people can adopt to help themselves. Exercise increases brain serotonin levels, which are known for reducing pain and contributing to overall confidence, as well as peace of mind.

There are a number of coping techniques [changed this], which will improve chronic aches and fatigue and even people learn relaxation techniques. Some examples include yoga, meditation, deep breathing, self-hypnosis, and progressive muscle relaxation. All of these relaxation techniques work to ease emotional stress, which is the cause of our aches and fatigue.

A therapist can also help you to change anxious thought patterns, so that you can look at your worries and anxieties more positively and realistically.