Anxiety disorders are the most prevalent mental illnesses in the U.S. According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, they affect 40 million adults every year. “Anxiety” includes a host of specific disorders, including:
- Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
- Panic disorder
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Social anxiety disorder
And it’s not uncommon for people with anxiety disorders to also suffer from depression—and vice versa. Nearly half of people with depression are also diagnosed with an anxiety disorder.
With anxiety and depression so prevalent in the U.S., what negative impacts are they having on physical health? Furthermore, what physical manifestations can anxiety disorders and depression present?
Key Takeaways
- Anxiety disorders affect 40 million American adults annually and often co-occur with depression, creating compounded physical health risks.
- Chronic anxiety triggers persistent stress responses that can lead to serious conditions including cardiovascular disease, weakened immunity and digestive disorders.
- Physical symptoms like sleep disturbances, unexplained aches and frequent headaches may actually signal an underlying anxiety disorder.
- The mind-body connection means untreated anxiety doesn’t just affect mental health—it creates measurable, lasting impacts throughout the body’s major systems.
Understanding How Anxiety Affects Your Body
When you experience anxiety, your body activates its natural stress response system. This “fight-or-flight” reaction releases hormones like adrenaline and cortisol, which prepare you to respond to perceived threats.
While this response can be helpful in short bursts, chronic anxiety keeps this system activated far longer than nature intended. Over time, the constant flood of stress hormones takes a toll on nearly every system in your body, from your heart and lungs to your digestive tract and immune system.
Physical Symptoms of Anxiety
Sleep Problems
From worrying about the future to ruminating about the past, getting adequate rest can be difficult for those with anxiety. To compound the trouble, worrying about not getting any sleep can cause even more anxiety. A lack of sleep can cause weight gain, disrupt the immune system and even contribute to heart disease. The National Sleep Foundation provides some helpful tips to fall asleep when feeling anxious.
Research shows that people with anxiety disorders are significantly more likely to develop chronic insomnia compared to the general population. When anxiety disrupts your sleep architecture—the natural cycles your brain moves through each night—you miss out on the restorative deep sleep your body needs to repair tissues, consolidate memories and regulate emotions.
High Blood Pressure
The Mayo Clinic states that episodes of anxiety can cause dramatic, temporary spikes in blood pressure. While there is no indication that anxiety causes long-term hypertension, these short-term spikes can cause damage to blood vessels, kidneys and the heart. Additionally, those that have anxiety are more likely to resort to unhealthy habits that can lead to hypertension, such as smoking, drinking and overeating.
These temporary blood pressure surges put extra strain on your cardiovascular system with each occurrence. For people who experience anxiety episodes frequently throughout the day, the cumulative effect on the heart and blood vessels can be substantial, even if blood pressure returns to normal between episodes.
Weight Gain or Loss
A study published in the American Journal of Epidemiology found psychosocial stress, including depression and generalized anxiety disorder, is associated with both weight gain and loss. The study found that some individuals are prone to eat more when stressed, others less. And weight gain can lead to high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease and Type 2 diabetes.
Anxiety also affects your body’s metabolism and how it processes nutrients. Chronic stress hormones can increase fat storage, particularly around the midsection, while simultaneously making it harder for your body to build and maintain muscle mass. This metabolic disruption can persist even after anxiety symptoms improve.
Unexplained Aches
According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, pain can be a common symptom of an anxiety disorder. Those with GAD are particularly susceptible to unexplained aches and pains. Chronic pain can make work and everyday activities harder.
The connection between anxiety and pain involves complex interactions between your nervous system and muscles. When you’re anxious, your muscles remain in a state of tension, never fully relaxing. This constant contraction restricts blood flow to muscle tissues and can create persistent discomfort that seems to have no physical cause.
Headaches
Headaches are a common symptom, and sometimes a good indicator, of an anxiety disorder—most commonly GAD. Like chronic pain, recurring headaches can make it even more difficult for those with anxiety to function or work.
Tension headaches linked to anxiety often feel like a tight band around your head and can last for hours or even days. These headaches result from sustained muscle tension in your neck, shoulders and scalp—all areas where people unconsciously hold stress. Many people don’t realize their headaches stem from anxiety until they address the underlying condition.
Weakened Immunity
Depression and anxiety are both believed to negatively impact the immune system, making those suffering with these conditions more vulnerable to getting sick.
When your body remains in a prolonged state of stress, it produces elevated levels of cortisol, which suppresses the effectiveness of your immune system. Studies have found that people with chronic anxiety take longer to recover from common illnesses like colds and flu, and may experience more frequent infections throughout the year.
Stomach Problems
Anxiety disorders can cause stomachaches and cramps. But more than that, anxiety and depression are linked to irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). It’s common for people with IBS to experience anxiety and depression. Anxiety can worsen symptoms of IBS.
Scientists have discovered what they call the “gut-brain axis”—a direct communication pathway between your digestive system and your brain. The same neurotransmitters that regulate mood in your brain also control gut function, which is why emotional distress frequently translates into digestive distress.
Frequent Urination
Having to urinate is a common symptom of anxiety. Some doctors think this is due to the body’s natural “fight-or-flight” response. When an individual is experiencing anxiety, their bladder muscles contract, putting pressure on the bladder. Excessive urination can then, in turn, take individuals away from what they are doing, which may lead to even more stress.
This physical response can become particularly problematic in situations where leaving isn’t convenient, like during meetings, social gatherings or while traveling. The anticipation of needing a bathroom can then create additional anxiety, forming a cycle that reinforces itself. Understanding that this is a normal physiological response to anxiety, not a separate medical problem, can help reduce worry about the symptom itself.
Physical Symptoms of Anxiety are Common, But They’re Also Treatable
Physical manifestations of anxiety disorders and depression can be detrimental to overall health. But they can also be an indicator of an individual’s mental health and, in some cases, help diagnose otherwise unrecognizable anxiety disorders or depression.
Davis Behavioral Health provides prevention programs to help people of all ages manage their emotions and stress. We also provide mindfulness training to help cultivate awareness of what is happening in a way that is compassionate, nonreactive and nonjudgmental.
Plus, with multiple clinic locations across Davis County serving the greater Wasatch Front, support is more accessible than you might think.
Contact Davis Behavioral Health today to get connected with a provider, or learn more about our clinics to find the right fit for where you are right now.
Frequently Asked Questions About Anxiety and Physical Health
How to deal with the physical symptoms of anxiety?
Managing physical anxiety symptoms starts with recognizing them for what they are. Deep breathing exercises, progressive muscle relaxation and regular physical activity can help calm your body’s stress response. Techniques like the 4-7-8 breathing method (inhale for 4 counts, hold for 7, exhale for 8) can quickly reduce physical symptoms. If symptoms persist or interfere with daily life, working with a mental health professional can provide additional coping strategies tailored to your specific needs.
What is the best therapy for anxiety?
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is widely considered the most effective therapeutic approach for anxiety disorders. CBT helps you identify and change thought patterns that trigger anxiety and teaches practical skills for managing symptoms. Many people benefit from combining therapy with other approaches like mindfulness training or, in some cases, medication. The “best” therapy varies by individual, so working with a qualified therapist to find what works for you is key.
Can anxiety make you physically unwell?
Yes, anxiety absolutely can make you physically unwell. Chronic anxiety affects your body’s major systems—cardiovascular, digestive, immune and nervous systems. The physical symptoms aren’t “all in your head.” They’re real bodily responses to your brain’s stress signals. Many people visit their doctor for physical symptoms like chest pain, headaches or stomach issues without realizing anxiety is the underlying cause.
What are the long-term effects of anxiety?
Untreated anxiety can lead to serious long-term health consequences. These include increased risk of heart disease, chronic digestive disorders, persistent pain conditions and a weakened immune system.
Long-term anxiety is also associated with higher rates of substance use disorders as people seek ways to self-medicate their symptoms. The good news is that anxiety is highly treatable, and addressing it early can prevent these long-term complications.
Will I ever be normal again after anxiety?
Recovery from an anxiety disorder is absolutely possible. Many people who receive appropriate treatment see significant improvement or complete resolution of their symptoms.
Recovery doesn’t always mean you’ll never feel anxious again—anxiety is a normal human emotion.
Instead, recovery means learning to manage and cope with anxiety so it doesn’t control your life. With the right treatment and support, you can develop tools to respond to anxiety in healthy ways.
What triggers anxiety flare-ups?
Anxiety triggers vary widely between individuals but often include major life changes, work or school stress, relationship conflicts, financial pressures or health concerns. For some people, triggers are obvious; for others, anxiety seems to arise without clear cause.
Physical factors like lack of sleep, caffeine consumption, certain medications and hormonal changes can also trigger or worsen anxiety. Identifying your personal triggers through journaling or working with a mental health therapist can help you develop strategies to manage them.
About the Author
Shelly Tanner, LCSW
Licensed Clinical Social Worker | Davis Behavioral Health
Shelly Tanner, LCSW, is a licensed clinical social worker with more than two decades of behavioral health experience. She works with children and youth and specializes in anxiety disorders, depression and trauma recovery.
Shelly’s therapeutic approach includes Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Solution-Focused Therapy and Motivational Interviewing. She believes therapy should provide a safe, supportive environment where individuals can better understand their experiences, develop practical coping skills and work toward meaningful personal growth.
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