can anxiety really cause physical issues?

So, I haven't yet talked to my Dr about my anxiety. I've been trying to work myself up to it for a few mths now. I was in and out of the hospital for gerd and asthma for about a year, before the doc at the e.r told me of I didn't see a regular physician about my gerd and asthma I would possibly end up with COPD or emphazema. That was 3 months ago. O was wondering if anyone knows if its possible for my anxiety to be causing these conditions or vice versa? I would assume since I have had anxiety symptoms my whole life that these conditions wouldn't have caused it, but I was also diagnosed with asthma at age 10, but quit needed medication before middle school. I do remember having stomach aches quite often when growing up. To the point that people didn't necessarily believe me. So maybe I had acid reflux the whole time and didn't know it? Is that possible? Can anyone help me answer these questions.

Anxiety can contribute to stomach discomfort...and also can cause things like breathing difficulty and chest pain. I don't think it can cause asthma, but it certainly would not help it...also I don't have asthma but if you have that and anxiety its also possible being anxious about asthma attacks or symptoms...contributes to anxious feelings. But yeah it probably would be a good idea to address all these issues some of it sounds more serious than anything anxiety directly causes.

Thanks! I have been addressing the asthma/gerd. Its the anxiety I haven't mentioned, yet. In my area there are drug problems, and I always get nervous and paranoid that my doc won't believe me and think I want drugs. I really don't. I just want to feel better. I'm sure it stems from people not believing me when I was younger, but when I try to bring it up I chicken out. Feeling shaky, fidgety and then I have to right the urge to cry. I'm going to keep trying, what else can I do? Ya know?

yes it can cause somatic symptoms but also panic attacks can wreck havoc on asthma.

I don't think I've ever actually had a panic attack (surely I would known for sure?) My childhood was spent avoiding situations that would make me anxious or scared. Heck, I would literally cry until my mom would give in and let me skip the last day of school from 3rd grade to 8th grade. Not BC I was bratty and did t want to go but BC there was always field day and I was too scared to participate.
I went years without signs of asthma, then out of the blue one day I was having an asthma attack and it kept progressing. Hmm...ikk have to look into it more and somatic symptons. Thanks!

I definitely think so. After all, anxiety can have an effect on your breathing, if your breathing gets irregular then that can cause physical discomfort. When my anxiety used to be even worse than it is now, I had that horrible butterflies feeling for about 5 hours every single day, it was just constant, and it was extremely painful if I was faced with something that made even more anxious than I was feeling already.

I still get heart palpitations and chest pain sometimes even though I don't get that feeling as often anymore, so I do believe it can.

hi jf1987, I know that anxiety can exacerbate physical symptoms for sure. I am also a firm believer that anxiety left untreated can find its way out through physical symptoms. We are holistic beings and Mind, Body, and Spirit should all be addressed in providing health care. I hope you are feeling better and truly hope you can also discuss your emotional health with your doctor as well. I finally had the nerve to tell my doctor and he has put me on the road to good physical and mental health! Good luck and take care!

Absolutely anxiety can cause physical issues! I also have asthma, and I used to always have asthma attacks when I got upset. This is not happening frequently anymore, but a few weeks ago when I had a panic attack, my whole body broke out in hives that lasted for a whole week. I have had many illnesses due to anxiety...anxiety can lower the effectiveness of the immune system. I wish that the medical profession would understand that the mind and the body are not separate. They could help us a lot more if they did.

That's how I am. I have had butterflies all day, and it feels like my heart is beating super fast, but I checked my pulse and its normal 88 BPM. It doesn't make sense to me. I also keep getting really weak and lightheaded when I stand up...sorry I tend to ramble.thanks for your help!

Thanks for your help! I have made myself another appt for next week. I hope I go through with it. I will be trying my best!!

I think you are right. If I knew sooner in my life what I was feeling was normal for some people to go through, I may have spoken up when I was younger. I have never broken out in hives, I'm glad you don't have to deal with that so much anymore! Thanks for letting me know I'm not the only one!

Thanks everyone for all the support and answers. I have not felt comfortable talking in detail about the way I feel with the people close to me. This place has really helped me already!

I have clinical depression associated with panic attacks and anxiety. And trust me, the physical pain I endure can not put into words. It's due to a condition named Somatization Syndrome that usually comes with quite few mental problems. If the physical pain you're suffering from is intolerable, I suggest seeking help from a doctor regarding the possibility of having a medication that reduces and relief the pain. I take one along with my anti-depressants when I need. Like 3-4 times a week or so.

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Oh my goodness, I'm sorry you suffer so much! I think if I can "get out of my head" and learn to deal with my problems physically I'd be okay. Other than maybe the gerd/asthma, which from comments sounds like that might improve also. I'm scared of taking any habit forming medication. There are sooo many addicts on both sides of my family. I know its easy to say take them correctly and it won't happen, but It does. I don't want my kids to grow up seeing their mom an addict also. Right now I keep them in an environment where they are still naieve, they're young. This is probably the one decision I've made from fear that is good. I dont feel like its an irrational fear. If I was in dying pain (which I believe you experience) then it would probably be different. SpringLover, thank you for taking time to help give me more information on what I only know little about. It is people like you that help others move forward. Keep your head up, remember you are appreciated!

Hello jf1987, sorry I am late on this one. Stress and anxiety can cause a variety of physical issues or contribute to it. Stress is a known trigger for many people with asthma including me! Stress/anxiety creates changes in the body that put pressure on it so there can be many physical health issues that can arise or be made worse. People can have higher blood pressure, suffer migraines, worsening of asthma symptoms, stomach ulcers, heart problems etc... so getting treatment for anxiety can help your physical health too.

i also believe the mind and body are connected somehow with our immune systems too. say something important is going to happen or we have to do something important, our minds can give us anxiety and that would cause our immune system to go out of wack. then we would get anxiety attacks, ulcers etc...my dad was supposed to get his leggs broken for arthritis treatment and the day of waiting 6 months for it, he found out he had shingles that day. i thought it was psychosomatic because i think the anxiety caused his immune system to bring on the shingles virus which is already in our immune systems.just an example but it does make some kind of sence.