Nervousness - Causes and Symptoms

Definition

Nervousness is an emotional state characterized by hypersensitivity and excessive response (behavioral, mental and physical) to certain stimuli that come from the surrounding environment.

The nervous subject manifests irritability, agitation, tension, sudden mood swings, sudden crying, excessive or unreasonable laughter, a feeling of sadness and inadequacy.

On a physical level, those suffering from nervousness exhibit muscular tension (especially in the neck and shoulder area) and perform automatic or repeated or stereotyped movements or gestures, often without realizing it. Gastrointestinal disorders such as poor digestion, nervous hunger or appetite suppression, stomach acid, colitis, meteorism and nausea can frequently be associated with this emotional state.

A state of strong nervousness can also provoke attacks of anger, sweating, spasms and involuntary tremors, palpitations, shortness of breath, dryness of the mucous membranes, dizziness, headache, sensation of lump in the throat, need to urinate often, problems of memory, concentration deficit and worsening sleep quality.

Nervousness often manifests itself in particularly stressful conditions (eg presence of work or family problems, examinations or interviews to be supported and other events that wear down the physical forces or put a strain on the nerves) and may be related to psychological disorders ( eg anxiety crisis and depression).

This symptom can also have an organic basis. In particular, nervousness may depend on hormonal changes (eg premenstrual syndrome, pregnancy and menopause) and dietary deficiencies (eg magnesium, calcium and vitamin B6 deficiency).

Other pathological causes are hypoglycemia and hyperthyroidism.

Finally, it can be found in people who abuse substances (such as caffeine, alcohol, drugs and drugs) and who are experiencing periods of abstinence.