Anxiety And Hyperreflexia
Hyperreflexia — also known as brisk reflexes — is when your body's reflexes react faster or more strongly than usual. Reflexes might feel jumpy, “trigger happy,” or more sensitive to light taps or noises. For many, hyperreflexia is a common physical symptom of anxiety. Frequent anxiety and panic attacks are a common cause of hyperreflexia.
This article explains how and why anxiety can cause hyperreflexia, what it feels like, and how to reduce or eliminate it.
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Common descriptions of hyperreflexia (brisk reflexes) include:
- Your reflexes are faster or more sensitive than normal
- You feel more “jumpy” or easily startled
- Doctors note that your reflexes are "brisk" or overresponsive
- Reflexes feel "trigger happy"
This symptom can affect one reflex area (like the knee) or several, and may migrate or change over time. It can come and go, occur during moments of acute anxiety, or persist during times of chronic stress. Its intensity can range from mild to severe and may fluctuate moment to moment or day to day.
Hyperreflexia often:
- Accompanies or follows other anxiety symptoms
- Appears with or without noticeable anxious feelings
- Occurs during nervousness, stress, fear, or "out of the blue"
All of these variations are common and harmless.
To see if anxiety might be playing a role in your symptoms, rate your level of anxiety using our free one-minute instant results Anxiety Test, Anxiety Disorder Test, or Hyperstimulation Test.
The higher the rating, the more likely anxiety could be contributing to or causing your anxiety symptoms, including feeling like impending doom symptoms.
Why Anxiety Can Cause Hyperreflexia
Medical Advisory
Talk to your doctor about all new, changing, persistent, and returning symptoms as some medical conditions and medications can cause anxiety-like symptoms.
When brisk reflexes are solely attributed to anxiety, anxiety can cause this symptom in many ways. Here are some of the most common:
1. The Stress Response
Anxiety activates the body's survival system (the stress response) preparing you to fight or flee.[1][2] This rush of adrenaline stimulates your nervous system, heightens awareness, and makes your reflexes more sensitive and responsive.
This stimulation can:
- Increase nervous system activity
- Make reflex arcs more reactive
- Heighten muscle tone and readiness
That’s why reflexes often become brisk during times of acute anxiety or panic.
2. Stress-Response Hyperstimulation
If the body is frequently anxious, the stress response can become chronic, creating a state of hyperstimulation (or nervous system dysregulation).[3][4]
This chronic stimulation can:
- Keep the nervous system overly reactive
- Cause exaggerated reflex responses, even without active fear or worry
Chronic stress is a common cause of long-term or recurring hyperreflexia.
Therefore, chronic hyperreflexia is a common symptom of hyperstimulation.[5][6][7]
Other Factors
Other factors can create stress and cause anxiety-like symptoms, as well as aggravate existing anxiety symptoms, including:
- Medication
- Recreational drugs
- Stimulants
- Sleep deprivation
- Fatigue
- Hyper and hypoventilation
- Low blood sugar
- Nutritional deficiencies
- Dehydration
- Hormone changes
- Pain
Select the relevant link for more information.
When to Seek Medical Attention
While anxiety is a common cause of hyperreflexia, seek medical evaluation if you experience:
- Reflexes that are asymmetrical (different on each side)
- Muscle weakness
- Loss of coordination or balance
- Numbness or tingling
- New or worsening neurological symptoms
These may require neurological assessment to rule out conditions like MS, spinal cord injury, or upper motor neuron disorders.
Anxiety Tests
How To Get Rid Of Hyperreflexia
Acute Episodes
When a stress response causes hyperreflexia, calming the body can return reflexes to baseline within minutes to hours.
Use techniques such as:
- Relaxed diaphragmatic breathing (4-7-8 method)
- Progressive muscle relaxation
- Mindfulness and grounding
Chronic Hyperreflexia (Hyperstimulation)
Reducing hyperstimulation requires:
- Containing anxious behavior
- Reducing stress exposure
- Getting adequate sleep
- Eating a nutritious, balanced diet
- Avoiding stimulants and recreational drugs
- Regular light to moderate exercise
- Practicing deep relaxation daily
We recommend our “60 Natural Ways To Reduce Stress” article for actionable tips.
Therapy and Long-Term Recovery
Most persistent anxiety symptoms, including hyperreflexia, are sustained by unaddressed underlying factors.[8][9][10] Therapy, especially with professionals who understand anxiety firsthand, is one of the most effective ways to:
- Contain anxious behavior
- Reduce symptom fear and stress reactivity
- Address root causes of chronic anxiety
All recommended anxietycentre.com therapists have personally experienced and overcome anxiety disorder.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can anxiety cause clonus or multiple beats of reflexes?
Yes. Temporary clonus or exaggerated reflexes can occur during acute anxiety due to heightened nerve sensitivity.
Is hyperreflexia from anxiety dangerous?
No. Anxiety-caused brisk reflexes are harmless and will subside as the body calms.
How long does it take to recover from anxiety-related hyperreflexia?
Acute episodes can resolve in minutes. Chronic hyperreflexia from hyperstimulation can take weeks or months of consistent recovery.
Can hyperreflexia come and go?
Yes. It's common for anxiety symptoms to appear, disappear, and reappear depending on stress levels.
Do I need medical tests for brisk reflexes?
Only if they are persistent, asymmetrical, or occur with other neurological signs. Otherwise, anxiety care is often sufficient.
Final Comments
Brisk reflexes can feel unsettling, but they’re a common, reversible symptom of anxiety. With calming strategies, lifestyle balance, and professional support, you can restore your nervous system and feel like yourself again.
If you’re ready to reduce hyperreflexia and other anxiety symptoms, explore our Therapy Services or Recovery Resources. Relief is possible—and recovery is achievable.
Common Anxiety Symptoms
Additional Resources
- For a comprehensive list of Anxiety Disorders Symptoms Signs, Types, Causes, Diagnosis, and Treatment.
- Anxiety and panic attacks symptoms can be powerful experiences. Find out what they are and how to stop them.
- How to stop an anxiety attack and panic.
- Free online anxiety tests to screen for anxiety. Two minute tests with instant results. Such as:
- Anxiety 101 is a summarized description of anxiety, anxiety disorder, and how to overcome it.
Return to our anxiety disorders signs and symptoms page.
anxietycentre.com: Information, support, and therapy for anxiety disorder and its symptoms, including hyperreflexia (brisk reflexes) anxiety symptoms.
References
1. Berczi, Istvan. “Walter Cannon's ‘Fight or Flight Response’ - ‘Acute Stress Response.’” Walter Cannon's "Fight or Flight Response" - "Acute Stress Response", 2017.
2. Godoy, Livea, et al. "A Comprehensive Overview on Stress Neurobiology: Basic Concepts and Clinical Implications." Frontiers In Behavioral Neuroscience, 3, July 2018.
3. Yaribeygi, Habib, et al. “The Impact of Stress on Body Function: A Review.” EXCLI Journal, Leibniz Research Centre for Working Environment and Human Factors, 2017.
4. Z, Fatahi, et al. "Effect of acute and subchronic stress on electrical activity of basolateral amygdala neurons in conditioned place preference paradigm: An electrophysiological study." Behavioral Brain Research, 29 Sept. 2017.
5. Marker, Ryan, et al. "Psychosocial stress alters the strength of reticulospinal input to the human upper trapezius." Journal of Neurophysiology, Nov 2016.
6. CD, King, et al. "Differential effects of stress on escape and reflex responses to nociceptive thermal stimuli in the rat." Brain Research, Oct 2003.
7. Cherney, Kristeen. "Brisk Reflexes: What You Should Know." Healthline, 26 Feb 2019.
8. Hofmann, Stefan G., et al. “The Efficacy of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: A Review of Meta-Analyses.” Cognitive Therapy and Research, U.S. National Library of Medicine, 1 Oct. 2012.
9. Leichsenring, Falk. “Is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy the Gold Standard for Psychotherapy?” JAMA, American Medical Association, 10 Oct. 2017.
10. DISCLAIMER: Because each body is somewhat chemically unique, and because each person will have a unique mix of symptoms and underlying factors, recovery results may vary. Variances can occur for many reasons, including due to the severity of the condition, the ability of the person to apply the recovery concepts, and the commitment to making behavioral change.