Hidden Symptoms of Anxiety

What are 5 symptoms of anxiety?

Curious about the symptoms of anxiety? Let me shed some light on that. Anxiety is a common part of being human—we all experience it in varying degrees. Feeling jittery before public speaking, having those infamous butterflies flutter in your stomach, stressing over tests, or feeling tense in unfamiliar or potentially risky situations are all normal responses, as long as they don’t hinder your actions.

Anxiety is a natural emotion triggered by the brain in uncertain or high-stakes situations. It’s just one of the many emotions we encounter. Signs of anxiety often manifest as an elevated heart rate, nervousness, tension, and rapid, shallow breathing. Brief episodes of these symptoms followed by a return to a calmer state are within the bounds of typical experiences. However, if these signs escalate and persist—plunging you into panic mode, causing sweating, trembling, or breathing difficulties—it’s worth paying attention to.

When anxiety starts hindering your everyday life and prevents you from doing what you want or need to do, it becomes a concern. I recall a client of mine who faced such severe social anxiety that it led to fainting spells and an overwhelming fear that controlled her actions.

How Are You Affected?

Ask yourself this: Are these feelings hindering your ability to lead a fulfilling life? Do they persist for extended periods? Do you experience extreme symptoms like fainting or any of the aforementioned symptoms to an intense degree (remember, it’s your personal experience that matters, not a comparison with others)? If so, seeking guidance from a coach or psychologist is highly recommended. In many cases, treatment doesn’t always involve medication and can be resolved within three to six months.

If these avenues don’t yield the necessary help, consider consulting therapists or psychiatrists who can prescribe medication. Even if medication becomes part of the treatment plan, continuing to work with a coach or psychiatrist can assist in altering thought patterns and responses. Over time, this could potentially lead to a reduction or cessation of medication, all under the guidance of the prescribing doctor.

If you would like to see if I can help you with anxiety, make an appointment with me today. The first call is free.

What are 5 coping skills for anxiety?

Wondering about effective coping mechanisms for anxiety? Dealing with anxiety isn’t always straightforward, but there are several strategies to help manage it effectively. Let’s explore some proactive steps to tackle anxiety head-on. Remember that all mental health issues should be addressed with you healthcare professional.

Firstly, it’s essential to challenge the notion of merely coping with anxiety as a long-term solution. While coping might offer temporary relief, it’s not supporting you living life to its fullest potential.

Dealing with Triggers

One common = misconception is avoiding triggers to alleviate anxiety. However, this often enhances the problem. Instead, facing these triggers with newly learned tools and staying in those situations helps the brain process and assign different meanings. Avoidance only reinforces anxiety and allows fear to set in for good.

Living in the present moment can significantly impact anxiety. Most anxiety stems from projecting into the future based on assumptions. To dismantle this thought process, questioning your mind and eliminating Automatic Negative Thoughts (ANTs) can be remarkably effective. This technique has proven successful with many clients, fostering substantial progress.

Considering your blood work is also crucial. Examining electrolyte levels, liver function, and magnesium levels might reveal underlying contributors to your anxiety. Addressing these imbalances could play a significant role in managing anxiety.

Neurocoding

Implementing pattern interrupts is another valuable technique. Establishing a signal with a friend to indicate when anxiety sets in can prompt them to intervene and disrupt the thought process. Alternatively, altering your physical position, imagining calming visuals or scents, can be beneficial. Specialists like Neuroencoding experts, brain coaches, therapists, and psychologists can teach these effective exercises.

Engaging in regular physical exercise is highly recommended. Exercise is vital for oxygenating the brain, enhancing blood flow, and facilitating nutrient delivery. Furthermore, paying attention to your diet matters. Exploring nutrition through resources like Tana Amen’s cookbooks can provide valuable insights into managing anxiety through dietary adjustments.

I would love to hear if these methods have worked or you or any other methods. Remember you can always talk to your health care provider about anxiety.

If you are suffering from anxiety and are ready to get rid of it for good, reach out to me and set up a free consultation.

Is overthinking OCD or anxiety?

The question of whether overthinking equates to OCD or anxiety is a complex one. Frankly, it could be either, both, or none at all. I understand this might not be the straightforward answer you expected. Overthinking can be a symptom of OCD, a component of anxiety, or it might exist independently. So, before delving into self-diagnosis and considering every possible disorder, take a moment to breathe.

Many individuals, especially women, tend to overthink. It could stem from the need for certainty, a manifestation of low self-esteem, or the persistent operation of Automatic Negative Thoughts (ANTS). Sometimes, it’s a product of uncertainties, assumptions, ingrained thought patterns, upbringing, or simply an individual’s thought style. As you can see, it could be several underlying reasons.

However, dwelling excessively on thoughts rarely benefits us. It often traps us in a loop, escalating into anxiety and prolonged states of fear and worry.

So, what steps can you take? Firstly, kudos for being self-aware enough to pose such a question—it’s a great initial step. You can try managing overthinking on your own by implementing pattern interrupts or employing the ANT technique to question your thoughts. Alternatively, seeking professional help is a prudent choice. Consider undergoing a brain test to understand if your thought process tends toward overthinking, maintain a balanced diet, or engage a coach or therapist.

If these approaches prove insufficient, consulting a psychiatrist for potential medication might be necessary. The good news is that these patterns are often ones we’ve inadvertently developed, and they can be rewired with the help of brain coaches and Neuroencoding specialists. Typically, this restructuring process takes around six months to effectively alter automatic thought processes and patterns.