Anxiety costochondritis: symptoms and treatment

  • May 26, 2023
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Anxiety costochondritis: symptoms and treatment

The experiences we live often have extremely powerful effects on the body. Faced with adversities that occur within daily life, conditions may appear that affect the body and are confused with bodily discomfort. When this happens, persistent doubts can arise, such as, can a bodily pain have a biological basis? Why do I feel pain if there is no organic origin? Despite the fact that medicine does not provide the answer that would initially be expected to these questions, the truth is that it is possible that some adverse events occur that have consequences on our health mental. In this sense, there is a type of ailment directly related to mental health that affects a specific sector of the human body: costochondritis.

In this Psychology-Online article we will explain what is costochondritis due to anxiety, symptoms and how to cure it.

You may also like: Does Anxiety Cause Muscle Spasms and Twitches?

Index

  1. What is costochondritis due to anxiety
  2. Symptoms of Anxiety Costochondritis
  3. Causes of Anxiety Costochondritis
  4. How long does anxiety costochondritis last?
  5. Anxiety Costochondritis Treatment

What is costochondritis due to anxiety.

Costochondritis due to anxiety or Tietze syndrome corresponds to a type of ailment that affects the chest and that it can be deployed both on the back and on the chest of a person. Unlike a medical condition that has a biological origin, anxiety costochondritis is linked to factors that arouse stress, nervousness or other emotions that give rise to this type of condition.

One of the qualities that stands out in this picture is the intensity of the symptoms, which can trigger serious complications in the development of daily activities.

Anxiety costochondritis symptoms.

This condition presents some signs that can be reflected in the behaviors, behaviors and emotions of a person. Next, we will see the symptoms of anxiety costochondritis:

  • Stabbing pain in the chest.
  • Physical discomfort after exposure to moments of anxiety, stress, nervousness or anger.
  • Chest tightness. Here you will find more information about Anxiety Chest Pain: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment.
  • Burning.
  • Numbness.
  • Muscle tension.
  • Muscle contractions.

Despite presenting some of the symptoms described, it is important to clarify that the isolated presence of any of them does not necessarily represent a picture of costochondritis due to anxiety. For this reason, it is essential that the diagnosis be made by a specialized mental health professional.

Anxiety Costochondritis: Symptoms and Treatment - Symptoms of Anxiety Costochondritis

Causes of anxiety costochondritis.

The origins of a problem are a key aspect to detect possible complications. It is essential to know this information in order to have tools that allow its elaboration. Next, we show you the possible causes of anxiety costochondritis:

  • trauma: Injuries caused by blows can have a negative effect on physical and mental health. Among the most common situations are traffic accidents or sports crashes, among others.
  • Respiratory diseases: bacterial and viral infections produce a decrease in the defenses of the immune system. When this occurs, the excitement that takes place in the central nervous system results in high levels of anxiety that affect the person.
  • Stress: The moments of daily life that are lived with stress can be manifested by bodily conditions such as costochondritis due to anxiety.

If you want to know more about the subject, in the following article you will find more information about the Effects of anxiety on the body.

How long does anxiety costochondritis last?

Although it is not possible to determine a single duration of the symptoms involved, there are some criteria that allow us to locate an estimated period of time. Generally, in mild cases, costochondritis due to anxiety usually disappears after a few days.

However, it is necessary to take into account the particularity of each case in order to offer follow-up according to the state and intensity of the person's symptoms. In more serious situations, it may be necessary to address the condition comprehensively because the duration will be longer.

How to get rid of chest pain from costochondritis

To relieve chest pain due to anxiety or costochondritis, you can follow these tips:

  • Rest: resting and avoiding intense physical activities that can worsen the pain, as well as avoiding sudden movements and activities that require excessive effort is essential in these cases.
  • Apply heat or cold: You can apply a hot compress or hot water bottle to the affected area to relieve pain. You can also try cold compresses if heat doesn't provide relief.
  • Over the counter drugs– Over-the-counter pain relievers, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen, can help reduce pain and inflammation associated with costochondritis. Do not forget to always follow the instructions on the package insert and consult a doctor if you have any questions.
  • relaxation techniques: Practice relaxation techniques, such as meditation, yoga, or guided imagery. These techniques can help reduce anxiety and stress, which can help relieve chest pain.
  • proper posture: Maintain proper posture to avoid aggravating costochondritis.
  • avoid slouching and tries to keep shoulders back and open chest.
  • Avoid activities that trigger pain: Identify specific activities or movements that trigger or worsen chest pain and try to avoid or modify them.

However, it is important to note that if the pain persists or worsens, it is recommended that you consult a doctor to receive an accurate diagnosis and obtain appropriate treatment.

Treatment of costochondritis due to anxiety.

Despite the complications that anxiety costochondritis can cause, there are some effective methods for improving physical and mental health. Below we explain the main treatments for costochondritis due to anxiety:

psychological therapy

psychological therapy is a space that invites reflection of problematic situations from the construction of specific tools. In this sense, there are short-term therapies that focus attention on the emotions, thoughts, and behaviors that cause the symptoms of this condition with the aim of change habits and beliefs to reduce anxiety.

On the other hand, long-term therapies try to locate the origin of the conflicts through the memory of traumatic events from childhood. From this, it is possible to adopt other solutions to situations of anxiety or stress and, over time, to cure costochondritis due to anxiety.

psychiatric medication

In cases that are of considerable seriousness that puts common activities at risk, the supply of anxiolytics may be a viable option given. These drugs act on brain chemistry and produce body relaxation.

However, it is essential that this treatment is supervised by a professional of mental health.

Anxiety Costochondritis: Symptoms and Treatment - Anxiety Costochondritis Treatment

This article is merely informative, at Psychology-Online we do not have the power to make a diagnosis or recommend a treatment. We invite you to go to a psychologist to treat your particular case.

If you want to read more articles similar to Anxiety costochondritis: symptoms and treatment, we recommend that you enter our category of Clinical psychology.

Bibliography

  • Cid, J., De Andrés, J., Díaz, L., Parra, M., Leal, F. (2005). Chronic chest pain. Magazine of the Spanish Pain Society, 12 (7), 436-454.
  • González, D., Sánchez Cortázar, J., De Guadalupe Gómez Pérez, M. (2022). Tietze syndrome. Medigraphic Magazine, 20 (2), 199-200.
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