Anxiety: When Your Body Speaks Louder Than Words by Maram Barakat, M.A.

A woman in an orange shirt scratches her arm with a pained expression. She's indoors, near a window, with a gray and yellow background. Lukin Center, Bergen County Moms

Ever break out in hives when you're anxious, overwhelmed, or under pressure—but allergy tests come back clear?

⁣You're not imagining it.⁣ Anxiety can literally show up on your skin. It's not just all in your head; your body can react in ways that aren't always obvious.

Anxiety can manifest in many surprising physical forms, including:

Hives or Skin Rashes: Stress can trigger the release of histamines in your body, which may lead to red, itchy bumps or flare-ups, especially on the arms, neck, or chest.
Tightness in the Chest: Anxiety often manifests physically as chest tightness or pressure, creating a feeling of being unable to catch your breath—even when there’s no medical cause.
Shaking or Tremors: Your hands, legs, or even voice might tremble during periods of high stress. These involuntary movements are a common reaction to the body’s fight-or-flight response.
Digestive Issues: The gut and brain are closely connected, so anxiety can lead to symptoms like nausea, bloating, diarrhea, or constipation—often with no clear dietary cause.
Cold Hands, Sweaty Palms: When the body is in stress mode, blood flow is redirected to vital organs, leaving your hands cold and clammy. Sweaty palms are a common sign of acute anxiety.
Excessive Yawning: Frequent yawning, even when you're not tired, can be your body’s way of trying to regulate breathing during anxious moments or periods of heightened stress.
Numbness or Tingling: You may experience a pins-and-needles sensation, especially in the hands, arms, or face. This is often due to hyperventilation or heightened nerve sensitivity caused by anxiety.
Jaw Pain or Teeth Grinding: Clenching your jaw or grinding your teeth—especially at night—is a common unconscious reaction to stress and can lead to soreness or dental issues over time.
Restless Legs or Twitching Muscles: Feeling like you constantly need to move your legs or experiencing sudden muscle twitches can be a result of pent-up nervous energy or stress overload.
Lightheadedness or Dizziness: Anxiety can disrupt your breathing and blood pressure, sometimes causing you to feel faint, dizzy, or unsteady on your feet.

To learn more about how your body reacts to stress and the hidden aspects of anxiety, visit Lukin Center.

Maram Barakat, M.A., is pursuing her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology at Fairleigh Dickinson University. She has a master's degree in Clinical Psychology from Teachers College, Columbia University, with a special focus on global mental health and research methods. She is primarily interested in providing access to quality mental health services in low-to-middle income countries and vulnerable populations. She is especially passionate about working with survivors of abuse and violence. In fact, she has integrated her passion with her academic interests by focusing her master's thesis on culturally adapting and implementing cognitive processing therapy to Syrian refugee women who have experienced sexual violence during and post-displacement. Maram has worked as a mental health professional and advocate in Lebanon, Uganda, and New York for the past six years. At the Lukin Center, Maram will be taking on the role of social media manager. Her main responsibilities entail managing and monitoring the center's social media platforms, creating content, increasing engagement, and more. Apart from her professional interests, she enjoys acting, karaoke, and extreme sports.