6 Health Problems You Could Get If You Have Anxiety

Struggling with anxiety already takes enough of a toll on your mental health, but left unmanaged, anxiety can also cause some long-term effects to your physical health as well. There a number of health problems associated with anxiety, as our physical and mental health are more intertwined than we think. Managing your anxiety can help alleviate these issues, so it's important to be aware of some of the lesser-known side effects of chronic anxiety.

"In reality, anxiety is a normal, healthy, protective mechanisms that keeps us safe from dangers and motivates us to take the steps necessary to achieve our goals," clinical psychologist Inna Khazan, PhD tells Bustle. "Anxiety only starts having negative effects on health when we get stuck in it, when it does not stop, and we are not able to recover. Learning how to recognize anxiety's helpful cues, allowing anxiety to be, and choosing the most helpful response to its cues is what helps us move on without getting stuck and without suffering negative health consequences." Whether this means utilizing techniques like meditation, or talking to a loved one or therapist about your anxiety, there are ways to cope to make sure anxiety doesn't become a greater issue. Continue reading.

Originally posted on Bustle.

---