For example, some experience more pressure than pain; some experience a dull pain, and some experience shooting pains. Anxiety headaches, sometimes referred to as tension headaches, may occur in many different places, including: The front, sides, tops, and even back of the head.
Tension headaches, which typically occur with anxiety and depression, can cause mild to intense pain in your neck, behind your eyes, and around your head. While they can impair your quality of life, aren't always disruptive to your daily routine and may improve fairly quickly.
Typically, anxiety triggers tension headaches and migraines. Tension-type headaches cause mild to moderate pain that's typically described as feeling like a band around the head. The dull, aching head pain may also be accompanied by tenderness in the scalp, neck, and shoulder muscles.
Anxiety Headache Symptoms
Your pain and other signs may differ, depending on which type of anxiety headache you have. Tension headaches: Mild or moderate pain on either side of your head.
Researchers have suggested that a common predisposition to anxiety disorders, depression, and migraines may exist. Migraines and chronic daily headaches are common in people who suffer from anxiety disorders.
Hot or cold showers or baths may relieve a headache for some people. You may also want to rest in a quiet room with a cool cloth on your forehead. Gently massaging your head and neck muscles may provide relief. If your headaches are due to stress or anxiety, you may want to learn ways to relax.
Sharp pain, a dull ache or a feeling of pressure around the head and eyes are common symptoms associated with anxiety. As anxiety can also upset the balance of hormones in the body, some women notice an increase in migraines, as they can be triggered by changes in hormones.
So while something in your own head may be mental, once that adrenaline is activated the symptoms are very real, and not something you're imagining. Also, those with anxiety tend to experience rushes of adrenaline even without thoughts, because their ability to control that adrenaline weakens.
During anxiety, it is likely that the right brain has temporarily taken over. The feelings are overwhelming, and without the full involvement of the left brain, the feelings won't necessarily make sense. A balance between the right and left are necessary to maintain normalcy.
The duration of headaches associated with anxiety disorders depends on the type. Tension headaches, causing duller pressure and pain on both sides of the head, last anywhere from 30 minutes to a week.
A tension headache is the most common type of headache. It is pain or discomfort in the head, scalp, or neck, and is often associated with muscle tightness in these areas. Headaches are usually caused by either muscle tension, vascular problems, or both.
Anxiety causes a heavy head feeling because of tension headaches common in people living with the disorder. Most people describe these headaches as feeling like a tight band wrapped around their heads. A tightening of the scalp and neck muscles also causes an anxiety headache.
EH: Can a brain scan actually diagnose anxiety? AY: Not really. Unlike, say, a broken thumb, which an X-ray can show, anxiety is not a “broken” part of the brain that shows up on a scan. I say “not really” only because sometimes a person may come to the emergency room or doctor's office with anxiety or agitation.
If Left Untreated, Anxiety Wreaks Havoc on Our Brains
Untreated anxiety can result in changes to the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus. This impaired functioning may increase the risk of developing neuropsychiatric disorders such as depression and dementia.
Common physical symptoms of anxiety can include rapid heartbeat, insomnia, increased or heavy sweating, muscle twitching, and lethargy. Another common symptom for people who struggle with anxiety is pressure in your head, or headaches, or what some describe as their head feeling heavy.
But researchers don't know exactly what causes anxiety disorders. They suspect a combination of factors plays a role: Chemical imbalance: Severe or long-lasting stress can change the chemical balance that controls your mood. Experiencing a lot of stress over a long period can lead to an anxiety disorder.
It should be noted that the statement "it's all in your head" is not entirely wrong. Psychiatric distress often manifests physically. Anxiety begins in the brain, but it manifests as various symptoms.
Various factors can cause anxiety to worsen. The triggers vary between individuals but include ongoing stress, a bereavement, financial problems, and key events, such as a job interview. Anxiety can lead to feelings of nervousness, apprehension, and worry.
Drugs such as Xanax (alprazolam), Klonopin (clonazepam), Valium (diazepam), and Ativan (lorazepam) work quickly, typically bringing relief within 30 minutes to an hour. That makes them very effective when taken during a panic attack or another overwhelming anxiety episode.
Difficult experiences in childhood, adolescence or adulthood are a common trigger for anxiety problems. Going through stress and trauma when you're very young is likely to have a particularly big impact. Experiences which can trigger anxiety problems include things like: physical or emotional abuse.
Tension headaches are a type of headache caused by muscle tension. If your anxiety causes significant muscle tension in your head, neck, or shoulders, this can create pain in your head. This could be why you are experiencing more tension headaches.