Why Anxiety Often Shows Up in the Body

Many people think anxiety is “just in the mind.” In reality, anxiety frequently shows up in the body as well.

Clients often seek support because they experience symptoms such as:

• muscle tension

• fatigue

• headaches

• stomach problems

• poor sleep

• dizziness or heart palpitations

These experiences can be confusing and sometimes frightening. Many people worry something serious is wrong physically, only to be told by medical tests that nothing obvious is causing the symptoms.

Understanding the relationship between anxiety and the body can help make sense of these experiences.

Anxiety Is a Whole-Body Response

Anxiety activates the body’s stress response system, often referred to as the fight-or-flight response.

When the brain perceives a threat, it triggers physiological changes designed to help us respond quickly. These changes include increased heart rate, muscle tension and heightened alertness.

While this response is helpful in genuine danger, problems arise when the system remains activated for long periods of time.

Chronic activation of the stress response can place strain on the body’s regulatory systems and contribute to ongoing physical symptoms such as tension headaches, digestive disturbances and fatigue (McEwen, 2007).

Research has consistently shown that anxiety disorders are strongly associated with physical or somatic symptoms, meaning symptoms that are experienced in the body rather than purely psychologically (Henningsen et al., 2003).

The Mind–Body Connection

The brain and body communicate constantly through the nervous system, hormones and immune signals.

This is why emotional stress can influence physical health.

For example:

·       stress can increase muscle tension, contributing to pain or headaches

·       stress hormones can affect digestion and gut function

·       heightened nervous system activity can disrupt sleep patterns

Long-term exposure to stress hormones such as cortisol can alter how the body regulates inflammation, energy levels and immune functioning (McEwen, 2007).

Because of this close connection between the brain and body, it is common for anxiety to manifest through physical sensations.

Research examining individuals with anxiety and depressive disorders has found that many experience significant physical symptoms alongside psychological distress (Bekhuis et al., 2016).

Physical Symptoms and Mental Health Often Occur Together

Research increasingly shows that physical symptoms and psychological distress often occur together rather than separately. Studies have consistently found strong links between anxiety, depression and physical or “somatic” symptoms in both clinical and general populations (Henningsen et al., 2003).

This overlap between physical symptoms and emotional wellbeing can be seen across the lifespan. Research examining adolescents with chronic pain has also found that mental health difficulties frequently occur alongside physical symptoms, further highlighting how closely psychological and physical experiences can interact (Bateman et al., 2024).

Anxiety and Digestive Symptoms

The gut and brain are particularly closely connected through what researchers call the gut–brain axis.

Because of this connection, digestive symptoms are very common in people experiencing anxiety.

Research has shown a strong association between anxiety disorders and conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). A large systematic review found significantly higher rates of anxiety and depression among individuals with IBS compared with the general population (Fond et al., 2014).

In addition, studies suggest that gastrointestinal-specific anxiety, worry about digestive symptoms themselves, can further increase the severity of symptoms and reduce quality of life (Jerndal et al., 2010).

This does not mean symptoms are “imagined.” Rather, it highlights the powerful role the nervous system plays in regulating digestion.

When Anxiety Becomes Persistent

Short bursts of anxiety are a normal part of everyday life.

However, when stress becomes chronic, the nervous system can remain in a state of heightened alertness. Over time this may lead to ongoing physical symptoms such as:

·       persistent fatigue

·       digestive problems

·       muscle pain

·       sleep disturbance

Studies examining the course of anxiety and depressive disorders have found that individuals with higher levels of physical symptoms often experience greater psychological distress and reduced quality of life (Bekhuis et al., 2016).

This illustrates how closely emotional and physical wellbeing are connected.

Addressing Anxiety and Physical Symptoms

Because anxiety affects both psychological and physical systems, effective approaches often focus on helping the nervous system return to a calmer, more balanced state.

Therapeutic approaches that address stress, thinking patterns and nervous system regulation can help reduce both the emotional and physical symptoms of anxiety.

Many people find that when their anxiety improves, their physical symptoms gradually reduce as well.

A Final Thought

If you are experiencing persistent physical symptoms alongside anxiety, you are not alone.

These experiences are very common and reflect the close connection between the brain, nervous system and body.

With the right support, it is entirely possible to retrain the mind and body to move out of a constant stress response and back toward a calmer, more balanced state.

I offer solution-focused hypnotherapy for anxiety in person in Corsham and online across the UK. Most clients work with me for around 8–12 sessions (sometimes more depending on what they bring), focusing on practical strategies that help retrain the brain’s stress response and reduce both the psychological and physical symptoms of anxiety.

My approach to therapy is informed by both clinical practice and research into the relationship between physical symptoms and mental health.

References

Bateman, S., Jordan, A., Noel, M., Loades, M., & Caes, L. (2024). The impact of co-occurring chronic pain and mental health symptoms on adolescent functioning: A cross-sectional survey. BMC Psychology, 12, 629. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-024-02126-5

Bekhuis, E., Boschloo, L., Rosmalen, J. G. M., de Boer, M. K., Schoevers, R. A., & Oldehinkel, A. J. (2016). The impact of somatic symptoms on the course of anxiety and depressive disorders. Journal of Affective Disorders, 205, 112–118. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2016.06.030

Fond, G., Loundou, A., Hamdani, N., Boukouaci, W., Dargel, A., Oliveira, J., Roger, M., Tamouza, R., Leboyer, M., & Boyer, L. (2014). Anxiety and depression comorbidities in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS): A systematic review and meta-analysis. European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience, 264(8), 651–660. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00406-014-0502-z

Henningsen, P., Zimmermann, T., & Sattel, H. (2003). Medically unexplained physical symptoms, anxiety, and depression: A meta-analytic review. Psychosomatic Medicine, 65(4), 528–533. https://doi.org/10.1097/01.PSY.0000075977.90337.E7

Jerndal, P., Ringström, G., Agerforz, P., Karpefors, M., Akkermans, L. M. A., Bayati, A., Simrén, M., & Strid, H. (2010). Gastrointestinal-specific anxiety: An important factor for severity of gastrointestinal symptoms and quality of life in patients with irritable bowel syndrome. Neurogastroenterology & Motility, 22(6), 646–e179. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2982.2010.01493.x

McEwen, B. S. (2007). Physiology and neurobiology of stress and adaptation: Central role of the brain. Physiological Reviews, 87(3), 873–904. https://doi.org/10.1152/physrev.00041.2006