Anxiety & Panic
We would like to take a moment to normalize how you may be feeling right now, during the pandemic - anxious, uncertain, worried.
The thing about anxiety and panic is that a certain amount of it is normal, like the moment you lock your keys in the car (panic), or the worry you feel before an important job interview (anxiety). This is could be why only 34% of the 40 million adult Americans with anxiety disorder actually get treatment.
“Anxiety and panic have a very real, biological basis.”
Fortunately, we have some amazing new tools that work on a biological level to move anxiety-arousing memories out of the brain’s “fear factory” and into the parts of the brain where this information is less disruptive. Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing (EMDR) and Equine Assisted psychotherapy are a couple of the healing modalities that we often recommend in combination with ‘talk therapy’ to retrain the brain.
Panic and anxiety symptoms originate from the amygdala, that section of the brain responsible for creating the fear response.
It’s important to note that there are physical conditions that can mimic panic and anxiety disorder symptoms: heart conditions, thyroid conditions, low blood sugar, too much caffeine, or withdrawal from drugs and alcohol. You may also be experiencing a combination of concerns, such as depression and trauma. Don’t worry! We are here to help you sort things out.
The Biomechanics of Panic & Anxiety
As you probably already know, anxiety and panic have a very real, biological basis. You may feel as though you’re having a heart attack, with chest tightening and rapid pulse. You may have trouble breathing and swallowing. Your body kicks into “fight or flight” mode, sending adrenaline through your body creating sweating palms, dizziness, tingling in your extremities.
But this is actually good news. Physical symptoms show us where the problem is coming from and how best to treat it. Panic and anxiety symptoms originate from the amygdala, that section of the brain responsible for creating the fear response and also storing fearful memories. The amazing amygdala excels at forming new fearful memories after only a few repetitions. This is essential to survival and great if you’re from the Stone Age! Most of us are seldom running away from woolly mammoths, but may feel as though catastrophe is just around the corner.
When to get help. You may be blaming yourself for being weak, or others may be telling you to “pull yourself together.” However, when feelings of anxiety and panic escalate into attacks so sudden and intense that you’re unable to think or move, or when these feelings persist or occur so frequently, that the fear of them becomes a trigger, you may be dealing with an anxiety disorder.
We always favor a “whole person” approach. Proper diet, exercise, relaxation techniques and mindfulness training can go a very long way towards avoiding or reducing the need for medication, while other clients will benefit from a combination of meds and wholistic treatments.
Even though most panic attacks subside in 10-30 minutes, the physical repercussions of unleashing stress hormones in the body can lead to chronic conditions such as a weakened immune system, elevated blood pressure and cholesterol, acid reflux, elevated blood sugar and low sex drive. Left untreated, these can lead to heart attack and stroke. Of course, all of this takes away from your mental and emotional wellbeing. Now is the best time to get help!