5 Physical Symptoms of Anxiety You’re Misinterpreting

Anxiety doesn’t just live in your mind—it manifests in your body in ways that can feel alarming. Many people mistake these physical symptoms for serious medical issues, which only fuels more anxiety. As anxiety therapists Brooklyn, we see this confusion daily.

In this post, you’ll learn:
✅ Common anxiety symptoms mistaken for health problems
✅ Why your body reacts this way
✅ How to tell anxiety apart from real danger

1. Chest Pain or Tightness → “Am I Having a Heart Attack?”

Why It Happens:
Anxiety triggers shallow, rapid breathing, causing chest muscle tension. Adrenaline surges can also mimic heart attack symptoms.

How to Tell the Difference:

• Anxiety: Pain comes and goes, often with stress.
• Heart Attack: Crushing pain radiating to the arm/jaw, nausea, sweating.

Tip: Try diaphragmatic breathing. If symptoms ease within 20 minutes, it’s likely anxiety.

2. Dizziness or Lightheadedness → “Is This a Stroke?”

Why It Happens:
Hyperventilation (common in panic attacks) reduces blood flow to the brain.

How to Tell the Difference:

• Anxiety: Dizziness improves with slow breathing.
• Stroke: Sudden confusion, slurred speech, or one-sided weakness.

Try This: Sit down, place one hand on your belly, and inhale for 4 seconds.

3. Nausea or Stomach Pain → “Do I Have an Ulcer?”

Why It Happens:
Your gut and brain are linked via the vagus nerve. Anxiety slows digestion, causing cramps or nausea.

How to Tell the Difference:

• Anxiety: Stomach issues flare with stress.
• Medical Issue: Persistent pain, blood in stool, weight loss.

Tip: Sip peppermint tea or try acupressure (press wrist 3 fingers below palm).

4. Tingling Hands/Feet → “Is This MS or Diabetes?”

Why It Happens:
Anxiety restricts blood flow and alters oxygen levels, causing numbness.

How to Tell the Difference:

• Anxiety: Tingling comes during stress and fades after.
• Neurological Issue: Constant numbness, coordination problems.

Quick Fix: Shake out your limbs or run them under warm water.

5. Throat Tightness → “Am I Choking?”

Why It Happens:
Stress causes throat muscles to contract (globus sensation).

How to Tell the Difference:

• Anxiety: No trouble swallowing food/liquid.
• Allergy/ER Issue: Swelling, hives, or inability to breathe.

Try This: Humming or swallowing slowly can relax the throat.

When to Seek Help

While these symptoms are usually anxiety-related, consult a doctor first to rule out medical conditions. If cleared, therapy can help:

• CBT to retrain your brain’s threat response
• Somatic therapy to release physical tension
• Mindfulness to reduce symptom hypersensitivity

Free Resource: [Download our “Anxiety Symptom Tracker”] to identify patterns.

Final Thought

Your body’s “false alarms” are exhausting—but not dangerous. Recognizing them as anxiety cuts their power.

Struggling with physical anxiety? Our New York-based therapists specialize in evidence-based anxiety treatment.