The Purpose of Anxiety
Hard wired into humans is our warning system. It perpetually scans to ensure our safety, and to alert us if, in its judgment, we are under threat. At times it highjacks our thinking minds, to ensure that we get to safety, whether or not we understand why or what is happening. Some people’s brains are wired for greater sensitivity, and their systems set off alarm bells at the slightest stimulus, or they have learned, based on experience, or traumas, to be hypervigilant. Others carry a genetic predisposition and/or have grown up and learned anxious ways of coping. However, most of us don’t come with a manual, so we don’t always recognize the signals or know what the risk of true danger might be. Anxiety can be the wisdom of our body/brain/emotional systems trying to help us, or we might need to learn how to dial down the impact it has on us.
Anxiety’s Language
Having thoughts or internal bodily, interoceptive experiences, which are uncomfortable, such as intrusive worrying, fast or shallow breathing, rapid heart rate, sweating, flushing, ringing in your ears, even momentary blindness, tend to be concerning for many of my clients. We can assess the nature, frequency, and intensity of the experiences, and determine if measures need to be taken to calm down the dysregulated system, or alternatively, they need to listen to the cues for their important message. Clients learn strategies to cope with the sequelae before, during and after such events.
What we do for Anxiety
We seek first to understand your personal experiences. Some want to know strategies to change the experience. Others want to discern whether their concerns are primary- that is fit the classification of ‘a disorder’ in need of support (Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Panic, OCD-Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Social phobias) or secondary, that is a natural bi-product of having another co-occurring cause that fuels the worries or vigilance. This can occur with misunderstood AD/HD, especially in women, or the twice exceptional population, such as those who are gifted while also possessing learning or neurocognitive challenges which intermittently rear their head and intrude on living life in a reliable manner. Some people come in wanting help with what they believe is ‘anxiety’ but learn that they actually are experiencing misophonia, while others experience both. Having clarity can help determine the plan of action going forward, given the overview of your situation and preferences. Certain varieties of anxiety and the experiences associated with them respond better to particular interventions.
NOT an Anxiety Disorder
Many of my clients who experience sound intolerances, such as misophonia; attentional challenges, such as AD/HD; or who are gifted; and/or have learning challenges or asynchronies; or are on the autism spectrum and/or experience social thinking challenges also manifest some form of anxiety. Perfectionism is a wonderful coping strategy but it can also go awry. Differentiating dysfunctional perfectionism from functional exactitude in pursuit of excellence is an important distinction.
What we can do
Working together to respect the message of your worries, anxiety or bodily cues often involves the adoption of new skills, styles of thinking that are more self-compassionate and mindful of the present moment. Together we establish a new relationship between body, mind, emotions and sensations, often achieved through personalized re-regulation skills. Research suggests that for certain types of anxiety, pairing support, Cognitive (CBT), Behavioral, and emotional regulation, and relaxation and mindfulness training with medication has the potential to achieve greater relief than either clinical or medication intervention on their own. Any introduction of medication is at the client’s discretion, and is sensitively handled and collaboratively monitored.
You can reclaim your life. Contact our office to get started.