Anxiety can cause numbness in several ways. During moments of panic, the blood vessels constrict, increasing heart rate and blood pressure. This reduces blood flow to different body parts — the hands and feet in particular — potentially causing tingling, numbness, or a cold feeling.
How long will anxiety numbness last? 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.
How to Stop Tingling Hands From Anxiety. Since tingling hands is most commonly caused by hyperventilation, you should start by gaining awareness of your breathing. Try taking slower breaths is a start. Also, try to consciously breathe into the belly and lower body, rather than just into your chest.
Anxiety. People who experience anxiety may hyperventilate, which can cause tingling in the feet. Hyperventilating is a common symptom of anxiety and is characterized by breathing very rapidly. This causes an imbalance in carbon dioxide and oxygen levels, which may result in the feet tingling.
Anxiety numbness can last a few moments to minutes if it is caused by anxiety and an active stress response, hypo or hyperventilation, or other temporary cause. Or it could persist for days or months if it is caused by hyperstimulation (chronic stress), medication, sleep deprivation, and other long-term cause.
Specifically, researchers believe that high anxiety may cause nerve firing to occur more often. This can make you feel tingling, burning, and other sensations that are also associated with nerve damage and neuropathy. Anxiety may also cause muscles to cramp up, which can also be related to nerve damage.
Go to a hospital or call your local emergency number (such as 911) if: You have weakness or are unable to move, along with numbness or tingling. Numbness or tingling occur just after a head, neck, or back injury. You cannot control the movement of an arm or a leg, or you have lost bladder or bowel control.
Hypocalcemia and hypokalemia are responsible for the tingling sensations in hands and feet that often occur in anxious people. In fact, hyperventilation is one of the most common causes of pins and needles. Other signs of hyperventilation include cardiac arrhythmias and conduction defects.
Nerve damage caused by high blood sugar is the most common cause of numb or tingly hands and feet. Untreated diabetes may have other symptoms, too. You might feel thirsty, pee a lot, or your breath may smell fruity. Your doctor can test your blood to see if you have diabetes.
See your doctor if you experience intermittent numbness or tingling in one or both hands. Get emergency medical care if the numbness: Began suddenly. Follows an injury or accident.
High blood pressure can cause tingly hands by damaging the blood vessels and nerves in your hands.
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.
Tingling or burning in the arms and legs may be an early sign of nerve damage. These feelings often start in your toes and feet. You may have deep pain. This often happens in the feet and legs.
A tingling or numb feeling is a condition called paresthesia. It's a sign that a nerve is irritated and sending extra signals. Think of that pins and needles feeling as a traffic jam in your nervous system.
Discomfort may not start or stop in your chest. Pain, pressure, tingling or numbness in your back, neck, jaw, arms and other areas nearby is also possible. Chest or upper body pain or pressure may not be the only thing you feel. You could also feel dizzy or breathless – which we talk more about below.
Anxiety makes it difficult to get through your day. Symptoms include feelings of nervousness, panic and fear as well as sweating and a rapid heartbeat. Treatments include medications and cognitive behavioral therapy. Your healthcare can design a treatment plan that's best for you.
Call 911 or get emergency medical help if your numbness:
Begins suddenly, particularly if you also have weakness or paralysis, confusion, trouble talking, dizziness, or a sudden, very bad headache.