The Relationship Between Physical Pain And Anxiety

Physical pain and anxiety are symptoms that often go hand in hand. According to a report by the American Psychiatric Association at its 161st Congress, as many as 60% of all people with anxiety also suffer from physical pain. In addition, 80% of cases also suffer from depression.

In another study published in the Journal of Affective Disorders  , researchers show that 78% of people with psychological problems also develop organic symptoms, including physical pain.

Although the numbers are evidence in themselves, estimates indicate that physicians are unable to establish the link between physical pain and anxiety in more than 60% of cases. This is because a divided approach, where they solve physical and mental symptoms separately, dominates.

Anxiety, a widespread problem

These days, anxiety is a fairly common problem among the world’s population. Although it involves emotional distress, it also has some physical symptoms.

Anxiety is therefore an unpleasant condition that virtually everyone can experience, at least for a short period of time, during their lifetime. This is because it is a response to stimuli that are perceived as threatening. Sometimes these stimuli are real dangers, and sometimes they correspond to perceived or imaginary threats.

Excessive stimuli can also lead to anxiety. Some people believe that living in a big city increases the risk of experiencing anxiety. This environment involves several states of alertness that together generate stress and anxiety.

There is an imprecise fear when it comes to anxiety, which causes us to end up with a defensive behavior. During this condition , there are also some organic changes such as an increased heart rate, sweating and agitated breathing. These physiological changes will, of course, change the body’s function over time.

A study on physical pain and anxiety

A study that included 1,317 patients from 80 health centers, published by the General Council of Psychology, shows that 981 of the patients had some form of anxiety.

They estimated that 59% of patients with anxiety also suffered from physical pain. It is clear that there is a close relationship between anxiety and physical pain, but the percentage increased by 19% if they also suffered from depression. The most worrying thing is that only 17% of all patients received some form of treatment for their psychological problems.

Many patients suffer from physical pain the doctor does not find an organic explanation for. The pain thus ends up as a way to express their emotional suffering. Not all doctors admit or acknowledge this connection.

Physical pain and anxiety

People with anxiety usually suffer from headaches, muscle aches as well as abdominal and chest pain. Let’s take a closer look at why.

• Muscle pain. Anxiety makes the muscles tense. If this becomes more or less constant it can lead to muscle pain as well as a feeling of overload and muscle contractions. These pains usually occur in the back and neck.

• Headache. This pain is a kind of helmet that covers the head and presses against it. It is also common for a kind of tingling sensation to occur in the skull. This is a tension headache caused by the contraction of the scalp and the muscles of the neck.
• Abdominal pain. A faster breath can produce gases in addition to the nervous state creating changes in digestion. It is common to experience abdominal pain if you suffer from anxiety.
• Chest pain. There are also many who experience pain in the chest. This causes great insecurity and can increase anxiety, but it’s just muscle pain, nothing wrong with your heart.

What should one do?

The most important thing is to admit that we are all exposed to anxiety in one way or another. For this reason , we need to adopt a lifestyle that allows us to find time for relaxation and leisure activities. You may need to give this more time if you suffer from physical pain and anxiety.

Physical exercise is one of the most effective methods of restoring the balance of our emotions. A short exercise routine, about 15 minutes every day, is usually enough to make us better. Even more if you combine it with some relaxation techniques.

In cases where the anxiety is excessive, you need to consult a professional psychologist. There are many therapies and techniques that can help you deal with your emotions properly.