Anxiety, the sneaky voice of old pain

Anxiety is the voice of something old trying to keep you safe in the present. The problem is the brain doesn’t always get it right. In moments when anxiety is active, even the most neutral things can cause irritation, anger or overwhelm. I help to separate out old emotions (often arising from stress or trauma) from current ones (usually not so bad).  I use simple, cognitive and body-centered tools to keep you out of the catastrophizing cloud of anxious thoughts and redirect you back into in your body to find calm and presence. Anxiety and panic occur when something feels unsafe or overwhelming in our environment or internally. Anxiety is a low grade activation of our fight or flight system and panic is a fuller expression of the nervous system trying to keep us safe. Anxiety and panic are the most common issues I see in my practice. The good news is they and are highly treatable and manageable with somatic and cognitive skills. Treatment involves exploring underlying causes, such as thoughts, concerns or parts of our lives that need tending to. Identifying what feeds the anxiety and developing relaxing skills, tools and activities are a key part of treatment. Anxiety tends to be a long term, subtle nagging quality which is often expressed in the body through tension in the upper body muscles. Your mind might obsess, or you might feel stuck in indecision, or you may have a general sense of feeling ‘on edge’. Anxiety symptoms includes the following:

• Difficulty controlling frequent worries (often about school, work and relationships)

• Irritability

• Restlessness

• Fatigue or low energy

• Difficulty concentrating, finding yourself spacing out

• Tense muscles (especially neck, shoulders, chest and jaw)

• Shortness of breath

• Restless nights, a hard time falling asleep, or waking up early

Panic is anxiety running around out of control

Panic happens when anxiety is suppressed or ignored and comes out sideways. Panic attacks are personal and include a variety of highly uncomfortable sensations, so miserable and intense it often leads people to the emergency room. While the most intense parts of the panic attack only last several minutes, try to remember, this is temporary and it too shall pass. A mindful, relaxed and accepting approach can actually decrease the intensity of panic. Panic Disorder includes a unique variety of the following symptoms.

• Pounding heart, or accelerated heart rate

• Sweating

• Trembling or shaking

• Shortness of breath

• Feeling of choking

• Chest pain or discomfort

• Nausea or abdominal distress

• Feeling dizzy, unsteady, lightheaded, or faint

• Feelings of unreality or being detached from oneself

• Fear of losing control or going crazy

• Fear of dying

• Numbness or tingling sensations

• Chills or hot flashes

What's that frog in your throat? Social Anxiety

Social anxiety is the fear of being judged by others in social situations (IRL or online). This powerful fear hijacks our willingness to be vulnerable and authentic, which is the exact thing that builds connection. An inner critic might be sending sabotaging messages such as “I’m not good enough” or “I’m not lovable”. This self critical voice can maintain the habits of self-isolating. Therapy for social anxiety explored barriers to social connection, including mean thoughts, somatic patterns, and habits of avoiding or isolating. Somatic therapy tools help to stay grounded and present around others and get to the real desires and needs for belonging and relating to friends and peers.