When Anxiety Lives in Your Body
You know that postpartum anxiety involves racing thoughts and constant worry. But did you know it can also cause dizziness, a churning stomach, debilitating headaches, and a heart that feels like it’s going to beat out of your chest? Many new parents experience a host of terrifying physical symptoms that they don't realize are directly caused by anxiety. They often fear they are dying or have a serious undiagnosed medical illness, which only makes the anxiety worse.
If you are experiencing frightening physical sensations, your first step should always be to consult a medical doctor to rule out any other conditions. But if you've been told that "everything looks normal," it's time to consider that what you're feeling is the powerful, tangible impact of perinatal anxiety on your body. Your symptoms are real, they are not "all in your head," and understanding their origin is the key to finding relief.
More Than Just a Feeling: The Physiology of Fear
Anxiety is not just an emotion; it is a full-body physiological event. It is your body’s primitive alarm system (the fight-or-flight response) being activated. The physical sensations you feel are the direct result of a cascade of stress hormones like adrenaline and cortisol flooding your system to prepare you for a perceived threat.
"Am I Dying?" - The Health Anxiety Cycle
Because the physical symptoms of anxiety can be so intense and mimic those of serious medical conditions like a heart attack, they often trigger a vicious cycle of health anxiety. You feel a strange physical sensation, you worry you have a terrible illness, that worry creates more anxiety, which in turn makes the physical symptoms even worse. This is a hallmark of postpartum health anxiety.
Common Physical Symptoms of Postpartum Anxiety You Shouldn't Ignore
Anxiety can manifest in almost any part of the body. Here are some of the most common physical symptoms.
Cardiovascular Symptoms: Racing Heart, Palpitations, and Chest Tightness
This is often the most frightening symptom. Your heart may pound, flutter, or skip a beat. You might feel a tightness or pressure in your chest. These are classic symptoms of a postpartum panic attack, caused by a rush of adrenaline.
Neurological Symptoms: Dizziness, Lightheadedness, and Headaches
Anxiety can affect your breathing, causing you to take quick, shallow breaths. This can alter the oxygen and carbon dioxide levels in your blood, leading to dizziness and a feeling of being lightheaded or spaced out. Chronic tension from anxiety is also a leading cause of persistent headaches.
Gastrointestinal Symptoms: Nausea, "Nervous Stomach," and IBS-like Issues
The gut-brain connection is incredibly strong. When you are anxious, your body diverts blood away from your digestive system to your muscles in preparation to fight or flee. This can cause a host of digestive issues, including nausea, cramping, diarrhea, constipation, and that "butterflies" feeling.
Musculoskeletal Symptoms: Muscle Tension, Trembling, and Restlessness
An anxious body is a tense body. Your muscles are constantly braced for danger, which can lead to chronic pain (especially in the neck, shoulders, and jaw), trembling or shaking, and an inability to sit still.
Other Common Symptoms: Shortness of Breath and Hot Flashes
You might feel like you can't get a full, satisfying breath. You may also experience sudden waves of heat, similar to a hot flash, as your body's internal thermostat is disrupted by stress hormones.
Why Does My Mind's Worry Cause My Body Such Distress?
The link between your thoughts and your physical state is direct and powerful.
The Science of the Fight-or-Flight Response
Your brain cannot tell the difference between a real, immediate threat (like a tiger) and a perceived, future threat (like the "what if" thoughts of PPA). It responds to an anxious thought in the exact same way it would respond to a tiger: by preparing your body to survive. This is one of the primary causes of perinatal anxiety's physical toll.
The Role of Cortisol and Adrenaline
These stress hormones are responsible for the physical symptoms. Adrenaline increases your heart rate to pump blood to your muscles. Cortisol releases blood sugar for a quick burst of energy. While helpful for short-term survival, living in a state of chronic activation wears your body down and leads to the persistent physical symptoms you're experiencing.
Navigating the Medical System with Somatic Anxiety
The Importance of Ruling Out Other Medical Conditions
Again, it is essential to see a doctor for any new physical symptoms to make sure there isn't another medical cause, such as the anxiety-mimicking symptoms of postpartum thyroiditis. A clean bill of health can be a crucial first step in accepting that anxiety is the root cause.
How to Talk to Your Doctor About Physical Anxiety
When you speak to your doctor, describe your physical symptoms in detail, but also be sure to mention your mental state. You can say, "I've been having a racing heart and dizziness, and I've also been experiencing constant worry and racing thoughts since the baby was born. Could these be connected?"
How to Calm an Anxious Body
You can learn to soothe your own nervous system.
Diaphragmatic (Belly) Breathing to Soothe the Vagus Nerve
Slow, deep belly breathing is the fastest way to signal to your brain that you are safe. It stimulates the vagus nerve, which activates the body's relaxation response and acts as a natural "brake" on the fight-or-flight system.
Progressive Muscle Relaxation
This technique involves systematically tensing and then releasing different muscle groups in your body. It helps you become aware of where you are holding tension and consciously let it go.
The Role of Therapy in Treating Somatic Symptoms
Therapies like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) are highly effective for physical anxiety. They help you break the cycle of catastrophic thinking that triggers the physical response, teaching you to challenge the anxious thoughts that are sending the false alarms to your body.
Your Body Is Not Betraying You
It can feel like your body has turned against you, but it is actually trying its best to protect you based on the signals it's receiving from your brain.
Listening to the Signals Your Body is Sending
These physical symptoms are not random. They are signals that your nervous system is overwhelmed and needs care. They are a call to action to address the root cause: the underlying anxiety.
Finding a Path to Physical and Mental Calm
With the right tools and support, you can learn to regulate your nervous system, quiet the false alarms, and feel safe and calm in your own body again.
If you are struggling with the physical symptoms of anxiety, schedule a free, confidential consultation with a Phoenix Health care coordinator to find a therapist who can help you heal both mind and body.