Anxiety can cause numbness or tingling! Read 3 reasons why

If you’ve ever had tingling or numbness in your body and are also prone to anxiety in general, you should know that the two are connected. Usually, when we talk about the signs and symptoms of anxiety, we mean a mental state in which a person may experience feelings of fear, worry, concern, discomfort, or panic. You should be aware that anxiety is a condition that is not only related to mental health. It can also pose a risk to your physical well-being because it triggers a fight-or-flight response in your nervous system. One such reaction is anxiety numbness or tingling in the body.

HealthShots contacted Dr. Pavan Pai, Consultant Interventional Neurology, Wockhardt Hospital, Mira Road, Mumbai, to understand Anxiety Numbness in detail.c

Can anxiety cause numbness or tingling?

Anxiety can cause numbness and tingling at any time, which can accompany you for a long time. It generally feels like your body is buzzing, shaking or vibrating. Any part of the body can be affected, especially the feet, hands, fingers, legs or toes. When someone feels numbness and tingling, they may be experiencing a panic attack which can make them feel even more numb and anxious.

Can you control or stop numbness and tingling?

While some people experience these sensations only when they move their hands, feet, arms, or legs, others experience them consistently and independently.

dr. Pai says, “There is not much we can do to prevent these symptoms from occurring because they often occur unintentionally and involuntarily. The sensations can be rare, regular or chronic. However, some people may be able to control this sensation by relaxing or tensing and relaxing the muscles.” Remember that you are rarely in control of this.

Read also: Ask the experts: What does anxiety feel like?

How does anxiety cause numbness and tingling?

There can be many reasons for the numbness and tingling associated with anxiety. Here we discuss three main causes of anxiety numbness:

1. Side effects of anxiety medications

Tingling in the extremities can be a side effect of several medications, including popular psychiatric medications (anti-anxiety, antidepressants, mood stabilizers, etc.). You should discuss any of these symptoms with your doctor, who can then adjust your medication to help you stop these symptoms.

2. Chronic stress

Something signs of chronic stress include tremors, tremors, and body tremors. You might even get your heart racing. To manage the physical symptoms in such a situation, try to take deep breaths and relax.

3. Side effects of stress hormones

Your nervous system suffers from your anxious behavior, which triggers a stress reaction that can cause numbness and muscle stiffness. According to Dr. In Paija, hormones and nerves have a direct effect on the muscles, and if one or both of these systems are malfunctioning, it can cause mild to moderate sensations in the body.

Takeaway

The buzzing sensation caused by anxiety is still being studied by experts. This is thought to be related to how hormones respond to prolonged and constant stress in the body. The most effective strategy for stopping your emotions is to deal with your anxiety. Always consult your doctor if you are concerned about anxiety symptoms. Make sure you don’t cause yourself more worry by researching all your symptoms and making sure you have the worst possible condition.