I would have to say that anxiety disorders are probably the most problematic condition I treat my clients for at NeuroBalance. It seems that anxiety plays a part in most other neurological issues that people come in to see me for as well. The physical symptoms experienced by the clients with anxiety I see typically range from a racing heart or palpitations, panic attacks, brain fog, sweating hands and irrational fears.
I have witnessed that when anxiety symptoms get under control, most of the other neuro related issues seem more manageable.
The physical symptoms of anxiety are often a component of ADD, depression, autism, TBI and PTSD.
Anxiety
Anxiety is a normal reaction from our nervous system in response to an event that our body perceives as a threat. Moderate levels of anxiety are perfectly normal as a built in survival instinct. But, it’s when we struggle with daily constant and overwhelming anxiety that makes us nervous and worrisome from everyday common activities that anxiety becomes a problem. This type of anxiety can change a persons life for the worse.
Any anxiety that negatively affects ones ability to think clearly and perform their job or schoolwork needs to be addressed by a health professional.
Types of Anxiety
The kind of anxiety that comes with speaking in public or performing at a significant event is normal. Our bodies nervous, circulatory and respiratory systems all increase as we go through a stressful situation. But, soon after the event will return to a more calm and relaxed state.
Anxiety is a common component of other anxiety disorders like:
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Illness anxiety disorder or hypochondria is an anxiety disorder that involves a sense of worry a person gets over health issues and any physical ailments.
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Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a disorder that is characterized by repetitive specific behaviors that are brought on by lingering and repetitive irrational thoughts.
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Post -traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a result of a person experiencing a traumatic event in their life that manifests as uncontrollable thoughts, nightmares, panic attacks, flashbacks and extreme anxiety.
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Panic disorder is a sudden onset of fear, worry and anxiety that one experiences heart pounding, sweating hands, light-headedness or vertigo.
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Phobia is a condition of irrational fear about a specific event, activity, situation or object.
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Separation disorder typically is experienced by children to being away from a certain person or place. If not treated can affect adults too.
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Social anxiety disorder is the anxiety and fear one experiences by being with others in social gatherings and having interactions with people.
The Body Responding To Anxiety
During stressful events the body perceives an unnatural response to the situation and signals the autonomic nervous system to raise the bodies levels of blood flow and oxygen in preparation to what it sees as a threatening situation. The result can be a panic attack with increased breathing and heart rate. The blood flow prepares the muscles to flee and the brain to hyper focus while the rapid heart beats provide the added oxygen needed to escape from harm.
The long term affects of an anxiety disorder can lead to a person avoiding certain behaviors and triggers which cause further isolation, fear and withdrawal. Over time anxiety can negatively impact cardiovascular, immune, respiratory and digestive health.
How Anxiety Affects the Body
GAD or general anxiety disorder is a mental health concern that has physical consequences that go beyond fear and worry.
The common physical symptoms of anxiety include:
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Panic attacks can often be mistaken as a heart attack because a person can sometimes experience, chest pain, numbness in hands, arms or toes, racing heart and shaking.
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nausea and faintness
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swallowing trouble
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stomach pain
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blurred vision and dizziness or lightheadedness
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hot flashes
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shortness of breath
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sweating and chills
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gastrointestinal changes like, diarrhea, constipation or indigestion
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dry mouth
Management of Physical Symptoms
The most effective ways of dealing with anxiety is either with a stand alone method or combination of medication, psychotherapy, meditation and neurofeedback.
Medications
The trends in recent years is leaning away from taking any medication because of the negative side effects. There is two kinds of people who take medication for the treatment of their anxiety. The ones who only need it on occasion when they are having a bad day and the people who suffer from severe anxiety and can’t operate without it.
Medication does not cure anxiety but only serves as a way to cope with the stress so that a person can live a somewhat normal life.
Certain medications for the treatment for anxiety will differ from person to person depending on the severity and type of anxiety they are experiencing.
Benzodiazepines are a sedative that slows down the bodies processes as a short term solution. These include Xanax and Valium.
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are antidepressant drugs that work to decrease anxiety by actively increasing the concentration of the neurotransmitter, serotonin. These include: Celexa , Lexapro, Prozac and Zoloft.
Beta-blockers like Inderal, is a common heart medication that is sometimes used to treat anxiety by acting on the para-sympathetic nervous system to engage to reduce and relax the heart rate.
Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy can be an effective form of therapy to treat anxiety. Cognitive behavioral therapy(CBT) will help a person to realize their fear and overcome stressful situations.
Meditation
Meditation is a very effective and easy practice one can incorporate into a persons day to help with the physical symptoms of anxiety. It can involve different forms of yoga, breathing techniques, prayer and relaxation exercises.
Neurofeedback
Neurofeedback is becoming the “go to” and best natural approach for the treatment of the physical symptoms of anxiety. It can be used by itself or as a complimentary therapy with other approaches. It is safe, fast and helps people on anxiety medication to work their way off of or to a reduced level of medication. Neurofeedback works on the central nervous system and parasympathetic nervous system to engage to help one to relax by resetting pathological brainwave activity.
Anxiety is energy in the body that has no place to go. Once built up, anxiety can be very debilitating causing the nervous system to act inappropriately. The energy needed for both critical and common tasks like blood pressure and problem solving are dysregulated resulting in panic and brain fog. Fortunately, the medical community have come a long way in the advancement for the treatment of anxiety. Speak with your doctor to hear all the best solutions.
-A Balanced Brain is a Calm Brain-