I experienced a panic attack today and the first sign I felt was pain in my right shoulder/arm. The more anxious I got – the more the pain/numbness spread into my arm/hand. Every time I stopped deep breathing, it would continue to come back. I’m about an hour past it and still feel like my arm is tired/heavy. Why does this happen?
In: Biology
An anxiety attack is a physical response to what your brain perceived as a threat. Even if this is not a physical threat, the response is the same.
This response can be characterized by a rapid release of multiple hormones/neurotransmitters, most notably epinephrine, also known as adrenaline.
Upon the release of adrenaline, multiple physiological changes occur; blood vessels dilate near muscles and some organs, and constrict elsewhere in places like the intestine and stomach. Muscles contract to increase muscle tone, meaning they now have a faster response time. Airways dilate to increase air flow & thus oxygen intake and delivery to the heart, brain, and muscles.
These things happen because, according to your brain, you’re in danger & need to be able to react to your surrounds accordingly, i.e. make a quick getaway or put up a tough fight.
What you’re feeling now is likely residual muscle tightness. Because anxiety attacks are often accompanied by a feeling of impending doom, such that you feel as though you may actually die, you can be straining your body without being conscious of it. You were probably tensing your pectoralis major & minor, along with the deltoids and all the tendons attached to those muscles as well. Give it time & do some stretches, take some NSAIDs like Advil or Aleve if it’s really bothering you.
Not an answer to the question but just adding my own observation: a side-effect of anxiety I find is that if it’s cold in the room I tolerate it far less well than if I am not anxious.
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