Imagine that your brain is a city, and your neurons are the people who live there. When the excitatory neurotransmitters are firing excessively, it’s like there’s a riot in the city. Everyone is running around, screaming, and panicking. This is what it’s like to have anxiety. If you’re struggling with anxiety symptoms, it’s important to seek help. 

Talk to your doctor, naturopathic doctor, or a mental health professional, to learn more about how anxiety is impacting your body and what options you have to do something about it. 

Did you know that the brain produces about 100 trillion synapses, which are the connections between neurons? That’s a lot of connections! Each synapse can release a tiny amount of neurotransmitter, which can have a big impact on our mood and behavior. 

At a physiological level, the overstimulation of neurons in your sympathetic nervous system arises when excitatory neurotransmitters excessively fire due to factors like accumulation, excessive production, or inadequate elimination. This condition can be influenced by genetic predisposition or environmental triggers.

What is Anxiety? 

Anxiety is the experience of being afraid or worried about future events. Anxiety disorder refers to where people experience heightened and intense feelings of anxiety and fear that can be prolonged or repetitive. These emotions can lead to physical symptoms like a rapid heartbeat, chest pain, and trembling.  

It’s a good idea to go see your naturopathic doctor or join our Confident Hormone Club, to learn more about how anxiety is impacting your body and what options you have to do something about it.

What is chemical imbalance anxiety symptoms?

The theory of chemical imbalance anxiety proposes that anxiety disorders result from an uneven distribution of neurotransmitters in the brain. Neurotransmitters, which are chemical messengers facilitating communication between neurons, play significant roles in various functions, encompassing mood, sleep, and appetite regulation.

Serotonin, dopamine, norepinephrine, and GABA are among the neurotransmitters believed to be associated with anxiety. Reduced levels of these neurotransmitters have been linked to anxiety symptoms, including a racing heart, sweating, shortness of breath, and difficulties with concentration.

What are the 6 types of anxiety disorders?

• Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)
• Panic disorder
• Phobias
• Social anxiety disorder
• Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

How to describe anxiety?

Anxiety is a chemical response that occurs when we have neural circuits that are overfiring or overstimulated. This can be a trained response to threats whether it’s a real or imagined danger. It can affect our thoughts, body, and actions which leads to various anxiety symptoms as part of the fight-or-flight response.

Anxiety is a  reaction to a lot of brain stimuli without equal processing power. That is why stressful, dangerous, or unfamiliar situations can be triggers for some, as they bring a lot of stimulus to the brain.

Yes, anxiety can be a long-lasting condition, often due to a genetic predisposition. Chronic anxiety is similar to an illness when it disrupts your activities of daily living or negatively affects your quality of life. It’s something that frequently occupies your mind and thoughts without needing any obvious external cause.  People with chronic anxiety often go through both physical and mental symptoms, such as:

• Feeling restless
• Experiencing sudden panic and fear
• Feeling uneasy, nauseous, or having cramps
• Having sleep-related problems, such as excessive sleep or insomnia
• Having cold or sweaty hands or feet
• Experiencing numbness in the hands or feet
• Having shortness of breath
• Experiencing an increased heart rate
• Feeling chest pain
• Having a dry mouth
• Experiencing hot flashes or chills
• Sudden trembling
• Feeling dizzy

Can therapy help anxiety?

Yes, therapy can be helpful for anxiety. You can touch here on the different types of therapy and a couple of sentences of what they are or how they work, CBT, narrative therapy, internal family systems, parts work, Bowen family systems, EMDR, and embodiment practices such as breathwork and movement.  

Working with a therapist can help you process your thoughts and retrain the neural circuits to reduce your anxiety or give you tools to help you retrain your brain. One specific type of therapy called cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can be beneficial. It focuses on changing and improving the way you think and behave. 

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a therapeutic approach aimed at enhancing mental health by altering thought patterns and behaviors. CBT revolves around the idea that thoughts, emotions, and actions are interconnected.

Power of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT

Negative thoughts can trigger negative emotions and unproductive behaviors. Through CBT, we can recognize and challenge these negative thoughts, fostering more constructive thinking and behavior. Typically lasting 12-16 weeks, CBT is a structured and time-limited therapy. It is widely employed to address various mental health conditions, including anxiety, depression, and eating disorders.

A trained CBT therapist collaborates with the client to identify negative thoughts and beliefs. Together, they challenge these thoughts and cultivate more helpful thinking patterns. Additionally, the therapist guides the client in adopting more beneficial behaviors. CBT is highly effective for multiple mental health conditions due to several reasons:

• CBT concentrates on the present moment, avoiding dwelling on the past or worrying about the future. This aspect proves beneficial for individuals struggling with anxiety or depression, as it promotes focusing on the here and now.
• It is a collaborative therapy, empowering clients to participate actively in developing their treatment plans. This fosters a sense of control and hopefulness, particularly for those feeling overwhelmed.
• Grounded in research and evidence, CBT has demonstrated efficacy in treating various mental health issues. This evidence-based approach instills confidence in the therapy’s potential to help individuals.

If you’re facing challenges with your mental health, CBT might be a suitable treatment option. Consult your doctor or a mental health professional to explore CBT further and determine if it aligns with your needs.

Does anxiety disorder go away?

Anxiety disorders can be addressed through different methods, including psychotherapy, medication, or a combination of both. However, it’s important to remember that what works for one person may not work for another because everyone is unique. Anxiety disorders can go away, and can also be managed through medications, supplements, nutrition, and lifestyle support, as well as therapy. 

Therapist for depression and anxiety

The Confident Hormone Club provides an understanding of how anxiety works in your body and what treatment tools, like supplements, foods, and lifestyle changes you can make,  in managing anxiety. Through monthly health courses, open office hours, and access to experts, the club aims to help individuals gain a better understanding of their health choices and navigate their anxiety. 

Lifestyle changes to consider can be how much exercise you get or need, how to better support your sleep if it’s affected, and why your naturopathic doctor would be making the choice to prescribe to you certain herbal remedies like chamomile or lavender, omega-3 fatty acids, magnesium, and B vitamins.

Is overreacting a sign of anxiety?

Yes, when you overreact to things, it can be a sign of anxiety. Anxiety can make it hard for you to handle situations normally. When something triggers your emotions, you may react in an exaggerated way. It becomes difficult to control your responses. 

Excessive worrying is a common symptom of anxiety disorder that can disrupt your daily life. Other symptoms may include trouble focusing, feeling restless, and being tired easily. Sometimes it may induce anxiety. 

Induced anxiety means feeling anxious because of something external, like medication or drugs. It’s not a standalone medical condition but rather a symptom of an underlying issue. Substance-induced anxiety disorder specifically refers to heightened anxiety caused by alcohol, drugs, or medication.

Is anxiety a neurological disorder?

Anxiety is not a problem with the brain, but it can lead to symptoms related to the brain. Anxiety disorders are a group of mental health conditions that make you feel scared and worried all the time. They are not caused by a problem in the brain, but they do happen more often in people who also have neurological disorders.