You can experience anxiety-related numbness in a lot of ways. For some, it feels like pins and needles — that prickling you get when a body part “falls asleep.” It can also just feel like a complete loss of sensation in one part of your body. You might also notice other sensations, like: tingles.
Anxiety and stress do affect the body in many different ways. A few of the most obvious symptoms of stress include numbness, burning, tingling, and pain or discomfort when moving. These symptoms are very similar to what you might feel with neuropathy.
Muscle tension
Stress, including the stress caused by stress responses, causes the body's muscles to tense and tighten. [12] This tension can cause muscle and muscle groups to experience a tingling, tingly, pins and needles feeling.
The physical sensations of numbness that occur due to hyperventilation or a panic attack are usually short-term. The numbness and tingling symptoms can last up to 20–30 minutes. Emotional numbness will probably last for longer than physical numbness and can often be a chronic symptom of anxiety or depression.
Chronic stress can lead to neuropathy by damaging the nervous system. When the nervous system is damaged, it can cause pain, numbness, tingling, and other symptoms. The end result is pain, discomfort, or even worse.
Overthinking is linked to psychological problems, like depression and anxiety. It's likely that overthinking causes mental health to decline and as your mental health declines, the more likely you are to overthink. It's a vicious downward spiral.
Overthinking can also affect physical health, Carroll says. Some of her patients who deal with negative thoughts and anxiety have also experienced headaches, body aches and stomach problems, she said.
Possible causes of pins and needles
Long-lasting pins and needles may also be caused by: treatments – such as chemotherapy. some medicines – such as HIV medicine, medicine to prevent seizures, or some antibiotics. toxic substances – such as lead or radiation.
Yes, the stress caused by being anxious can cause this symptom. In fact, feeling a pins and needles sensation is a very common symptom of anxiety.
For some, it feels like pins and needles — that prickling you get when a body part “falls asleep.” It can also just feel like a complete loss of sensation in one part of your body. You might also notice other sensations, like: tingles. the prickling of your hairs standing up.
Overthinking is a pattern in which your thoughts and worries circle in an endless loop. Instead of preparing you for next steps, overthinking usually leads to inaction because you're overwhelmed by fear. Overthinking can be an early indicator or symptom of depression, anxiety, and other mental health conditions.
Anxiety can cause facial numbness and a tingling sensation. These symptoms of anxiety may trigger fears of a serious medical problem, such as a stroke or head injury. Many different conditions can cause numbness, but tingling and numbness are among the most common anxiety symptoms, especially during a panic attack .
If you've been battling prolonged brain fog and it's not related to your sleep schedule or your last feeding frenzy, talk to your doctor about what other symptoms you might have overlooked, like joint or muscle pain, numbness or tingling, headaches, and loss of coordination.
Paresthesia can be caused by disorders affecting the central nervous system, such as stroke and transient ischemic attacks (mini-strokes), multiple sclerosis, transverse myelitis, and encephalitis. A tumor or vascular lesion pressed up against the brain or spinal cord can also cause paresthesia.
Breathe through panic
Stay where you are and simply feel the panic without trying to distract yourself. Place the palm of your hand on your stomach and breathe slowly and deeply. The goal is to help the mind get used to coping with panic, which takes the fear of fear away.
Glossophobia, or a fear of public speaking, is a very common phobia and one that is believed to affect up to 75% of the population.
"Studies show that ruminating on stressful events can, over time, lead to anxiety and depression," warns Dr. Fowler. "From a mental health standpoint, anxiety can affect your ability to cope with everyday stressors, and depression results in sadness, loneliness and feelings of emptiness."
The Dangers Of Overthinking
It can take a serious toll on your well-being. Research says dwelling on your shortcomings, mistakes, and problems increases your risk of mental health problems. And as your mental health declines, your tendency to ruminate increases, which can lead to a vicious cycle that is hard to break.
Temporary paresthesia
Temporary causes of pins and needles include lying or leaning against a hard surface in some position which puts prolonged pressure on a limb. This cuts off sufficient blood flow and shuts down the stream of nerve impulses.
See a doctor if your pins and needles are severe or long-lasting. Occasional bouts of pins and needles usually aren't a cause for concern. But, if you've tried home remedies and your symptoms are severe or long-lasting, you should see your doctor.