The extra energy from adrenaline, a hormone released in response to stress, contributes to these sensations. Here's an explanation for how anxiety can cause each of these:
✨ Muscle Twitches: Similar to tremors, anxiety triggers extra nerve signals to muscles, causing brief, unpredictable contractions or twitches. The nervous system misfires, sending unnecessary signals to muscle fibres, resulting in sudden twitches.
✨ Tingling: Anxiety-induced hyperventilation disrupts the balance of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the blood, leading to a tingling sensation, especially in extremities like hands and feet. Changes in blood chemistry also affect nerve signals, causing tingling and pins and needles.
✨ Tremors: The anxiety fight-flight response releases adrenaline, increasing muscle tension and stimulating nerve activity, resulting in tremors. Increased nerve signals and muscle tension lead to involuntary shaking or trembling.
✨ Body Jolts: Similar to amplified muscle twitches, these can be caused by a sudden surge of adrenaline or a buildup of tension that releases rapidly. A larger group of muscle fibres contract briefly and intensely, causing a noticeable jolt.
✨ Shooting Sensations: These can be due to heightened nerve sensitivity or misfiring along nerve pathways, creating a brief, sharp sensation. Overexcited nerve cells can send intense signals along pathways, resulting in a sensation like an electric shock or a shooting feeling.
All these sensations are typically harmless and connected to temporary spikes in anxiety. Effectively managing anxiety with healthy coping mechanisms can significantly reduce these sensations. In addition to incorporating daily relaxation techniques, addressing the root cause of your anxiety is vital for achieving a more lasting solution. Explore further insights into managing distressing symptoms and tackling the underlying causes of anxiety in my book, Ten Times Calmer. 📚
This information is provided for general educational purposes and is not intended for diagnosis. Always consult a doctor for personalised advice tailored to your situation.