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What Causes Excessive Sweating When Anxious?

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Posted on Sun, 26 Jul 2015
Question: Hi, I have been dealing with anxiety for sometime now.The most common example of mine is excess sweating.I sweat more on my forehead and back while facing certain situations.I am also 5'9 and my weight is 78 kgs.I have done blood tests before for the same and they showed normal results.I have also observed that I feel little too to overwhelmed or sad at random times.Mood swings are normal for me.Excess sweating has bothered my for sometime now and it has caused enough problems in my daily and professional life.I have also observed that I stay unhappy for no reason at all for some period of time.Is this the kind of anxiety that will go away without medicine and therapy or should I book appoint to discuss this further?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi (29 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
These symptoms are due to anxiety.

Detailed Answer:
Hello thanks for asking from HCM for your health related queries

I can understand your concern. The symptoms like sadness at random times, mood swings, staying unhappy without any reason etc could point to some underlying mild depression and need further evaluation. A lot of individuals with anxiety show symptoms of depression so these symptoms are due to anxiety also. The symptoms like sweating on forehead and back in certain situations could also occur due to anxiety but this need further evaluation.

Some medical causes especially some vitamin deficiencies, hyperthyroidism, iron deficiency anaemia etc can present with similar symptoms. Low Vitamin B12 levels are commonly seen in anxiety patients. I'd advise you to get your B12 levels checked and start taking B12 supplements. Hyperthyroid states should also be ruled out by thyroid function tests. If everything comes normal then most likely reason of your symptoms is anxiety.

Yes even without medicines such symptoms can go away but for severe symptoms or if these symptoms cause dysfunction to your social and personal functioning then there is need for medicines. Progressive Muscle Relaxation Exercise (PMR) in anxiety provoking situations help to reduce the somatic changes in body during anxiety and you will feel the progressive decline in sweating with time. Even Yoga have beneficial roles in such type of symptoms. Breathing exercises have good roles in anxiety. Start taking Green tea daily and this will help in relaxation.

Vitamin B12 supplements if taken on daily basis also help to reduce the anxiety and risk of depression.

If even after these measures symptoms persist then visit a psychiatrist for help. Medicines like SSRIs or SNRIs are used in treatment.

If you have more doubts you can ask without hesitation in follow up question.

Thanks, Take care
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi (1 hour later)
Hi Dr,

Thank you for answering my question.

I have undergone tests like SGPT,T1,T2,T3 etc. but all tests are normal.I thought it would be hyperhydrosis, but I am not sure since I experience most of the symptoms on forehead and on the back.

I have also witnessed something like increased heart rate while talking to seniors/opposite gender and sweating for sometime during the same.It has affected my life greatly since this phenomenon of sweating is kind of embarrassing.Also, I think I am 10KG overweight, does this cause problems like excess sweating?

I am worried that if I take any anti-anxiety medication for long term, it might affect my memory or some other physical aspect.I would appreciate any clarification on this doubt as well.


Regards
doctor
Answered by Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi (2 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Anxiety is most possible reason for your symptoms.

Detailed Answer:
Hello again and thanks for asking a follow up question.

As your thyroid tests came normal so we can rule out the hyperthyroidism easily. Hyperhydrosis cause increased sweating in palms and the clinical picture you are showing is different, so in my opinion clinically we can rule out this easily.

Your symptoms like increased heart rate while talking to seniors, or talking to opposite gender which is accompanied with sweating sometimes. These symptoms are also due to anxiety, social anxiety more specifically. To some extent some symptoms of social anxiety are found in most of males but increase in severity calls for evaluation. Increase in weight is not the cause of sweating in your case.

Please consult a psychiatrist for proper management. Follow the methods I have mentioned in my last answer.

The anti-anxiety medicines if taken under proper prescription are not at all associated with loss of memory or any physical side effects. These drugs are also not the drugs of abuse. So don't believe in beliefs and if needed visit a doctor for help. Don't get frightened from medicines, the medicines will help in early recovery.

Thanks, Still have more doubts please ask again. Take care
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi (2 days later)
Hi Doctor,

Thank you for your reply.I am currently planning to visit Psychiatrist.Would you like to recommend anyone from Nagpur?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi (2 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Psychiatrists at XXXXXXX

Detailed Answer:
Hello thanks for asking again

I am not sure about exact position but one of my friend Dr. XXXXXXX Mamade is there in XXXXXXX You can discuss your problems with him.

Apart from this visit GMC XXXXXXX in Department of Psychiatry for detailed evaluation. In Wardha Dr. Behre is a very renowned and XXXXXXX Psychiatrist. You can discuss your problems with him.

Thanks. Still have more doubts please ask again.
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
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Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi

Psychiatrist

Practicing since :2007

Answered : 5193 Questions

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What Causes Excessive Sweating When Anxious?

Brief Answer: These symptoms are due to anxiety. Detailed Answer: Hello thanks for asking from HCM for your health related queries I can understand your concern. The symptoms like sadness at random times, mood swings, staying unhappy without any reason etc could point to some underlying mild depression and need further evaluation. A lot of individuals with anxiety show symptoms of depression so these symptoms are due to anxiety also. The symptoms like sweating on forehead and back in certain situations could also occur due to anxiety but this need further evaluation. Some medical causes especially some vitamin deficiencies, hyperthyroidism, iron deficiency anaemia etc can present with similar symptoms. Low Vitamin B12 levels are commonly seen in anxiety patients. I'd advise you to get your B12 levels checked and start taking B12 supplements. Hyperthyroid states should also be ruled out by thyroid function tests. If everything comes normal then most likely reason of your symptoms is anxiety. Yes even without medicines such symptoms can go away but for severe symptoms or if these symptoms cause dysfunction to your social and personal functioning then there is need for medicines. Progressive Muscle Relaxation Exercise (PMR) in anxiety provoking situations help to reduce the somatic changes in body during anxiety and you will feel the progressive decline in sweating with time. Even Yoga have beneficial roles in such type of symptoms. Breathing exercises have good roles in anxiety. Start taking Green tea daily and this will help in relaxation. Vitamin B12 supplements if taken on daily basis also help to reduce the anxiety and risk of depression. If even after these measures symptoms persist then visit a psychiatrist for help. Medicines like SSRIs or SNRIs are used in treatment. If you have more doubts you can ask without hesitation in follow up question. Thanks, Take care