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Anxiety Causes
Anxiety is a common mental health condition that can cause significant distress and impairment in daily life. Having a clear understanding of how anxiety happens in the body is key to making successful treatment choices.
Anxiety is not just a psychological response to stress, but also a physical one. When a person experiences anxiety, their body’s fight, flight or freeze response is activated, triggering the release of stress hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol. This response is designed to help us cope with perceived threats, but if it is not effectively managed or resolved, it can lead to physical and psychological symptoms such as increased heart rate, sweating, racing thoughts, and difficulty sleeping or concentrating.
Furthermore, anxiety can have an impact on the body’s stress response system, the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. Prolonged activation of the HPA axis can lead to physical symptoms such as headaches, muscle tension, and digestive problems.
Persistent anxiety symptoms are caused by a complex interplay of psychological, social, and biological factors. Effective treatments and self-care tools for anxiety all hinge on this fundamental understanding. It is important for individuals to seek support and treatment from a mental health professional or healthcare provider and to take steps to care for their mental and physical health.
Specific Causes Of Anxiety
Anxiety disorders tend to run in families, suggesting that there may be a genetic component to their development. Studies have identified specific genes that may be associated with anxiety, including those that affect the regulation of neurotransmitters such as serotonin.
Neurotransmitters are chemicals in the brain that help to regulate mood and emotion. Imbalances in these neurotransmitters, particularly serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine, have been linked to the development of anxiety disorders.
Traumatic or stressful life events, such as abuse, neglect, or exposure to violence, can trigger anxiety in susceptible individuals. Other environmental factors that may contribute to anxiety include financial difficulties, relationship problems, and academic or work-related stress.
Certain medical conditions, such as thyroid disorders, heart disease, and chronic pain, can cause symptoms of anxiety. Additionally, medications used to treat these conditions may also contribute to anxiety symptoms.
The use of drugs or alcohol can cause or exacerbate anxiety symptoms. Withdrawal from these substances can also trigger anxiety.
Certain personality traits, such as perfectionism, shyness, or low self-esteem, may make individuals more susceptible to anxiety. These traits can lead to negative thinking patterns, such as catastrophizing or excessive worry, which can contribute to anxiety.
The Full Scope Of Anxiety
Anxiety is a normal emotional response to stress or danger. It’s our body’s way of preparing us to respond to a threat, whether real or imagined. Anxiety can be helpful in certain situations, such as when we need to perform well on a test or give a presentation. However, when anxiety becomes excessive or uncontrollable, it can interfere with daily life and lead to an anxiety disorder.
Anxiety disorders are a group of mental health conditions characterised by excessive and persistent fear, worry, and nervousness that interfere with daily life.
There are several different types of anxiety disorders, including:
Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
GAD is characterised by excessive and persistent worry about a variety of everyday concerns, such as work, school, health, or relationships. People with GAD often feel restless, fatigued, irritable, and have difficulty sleeping.
Panic Disorder
Panic disorder is characterised by recurrent and unexpected panic attacks, which are sudden episodes of intense fear or discomfort that peak within minutes. Panic attacks can be accompanied by physical symptoms such as sweating, trembling, chest pain, and shortness of breath.
Social Anxiety Disorder
Social anxiety disorder, also known as social phobia, is characterised by intense fear and avoidance of social situations due to fear of embarrassment or negative evaluation. People with social anxiety disorder may experience physical symptoms such as blushing, sweating, or trembling in social situations.
Specific Phobias
Specific phobias are characterised by intense fear or anxiety about a specific object or situation, such as heights, spiders, or flying. People with specific phobias may go to great lengths to avoid the object of their fear, which can interfere with daily life.
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
OCD is characterised by recurrent and persistent thoughts, urges, or images that are intrusive and cause anxiety, as well as repetitive behaviours or mental acts that are performed to reduce anxiety. Common obsessions include fear of contamination or harm, and common compulsions include excessive cleaning or checking.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
PTSD is a disorder that can develop after experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event, such as a natural disaster, war, or physical or sexual assault. Symptoms can include intrusive thoughts, flashbacks, avoidance of reminders of the trauma, and increased arousal and reactivity.
Severn Clinics Supports Successful Holistic Care Of
Severn Clinics Supports Successful Holistic Care Of
FIBROMYALGIA
CHRONIC PAIN
DEPRESSION
ANXIETY
STRESS
OCD
PTSD
TRAUMA
INSOMNIA
ADD & ADHD
CHRONIC FATIGUE
MOOD DISORDERS
The Biology Of Anxiety
The key to understanding how to treat anxiety is understanding how it is really caused in the body.
Anxiety is a normal response to stress or perceived danger, but for some individuals, this response becomes excessive and difficult to control. The biology of anxiety involves several key neurotransmitters in the brain, including serotonin, norepinephrine, and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). These neurotransmitters help to regulate mood, emotions, and the body’s response to stress.
When a person experiences anxiety, the body’s fight or flight response is activated, triggering the release of stress hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol. These hormones help to prepare the body for action by increasing heart rate, respiration, and blood pressure.
In addition, anxiety is associated with an imbalance in the production and function of neurotransmitters in the brain. For example, low levels of serotonin are often associated with anxiety and depression, while high levels of norepinephrine can lead to feelings of anxiety and agitation.
Anxiety disorders may also involve abnormalities in the amygdala, which is the part of the brain that processes emotional responses. In individuals with anxiety disorders, the amygdala may be overactive, leading to excessive fear and anxiety.
Chronic anxiety can have a significant impact on an individual’s overall health and well-being, leading to physical symptoms such as muscle tension, headaches, and digestive problems. It can also increase the risk of developing other mental health conditions such as depression and substance abuse.
Effective treatment for anxiety often involves a combination of medication, therapy, and lifestyle changes. Medications such as antidepressants and anti-anxiety drugs can help to rebalance neurotransmitter levels in the brain, while therapy can help individuals to learn coping strategies and develop healthier thought patterns. Lifestyle changes, such as exercise and stress management techniques, can also help to reduce anxiety and improve overall well-being.
By understanding the biology of anxiety, individuals can take steps to manage their symptoms and improve their overall health and quality of life. Seeking appropriate medical and psychological care is essential for the effective treatment of anxiety disorders.
Session Selection
Individual Session
A single session is perfect if you need a little mental relaxation during moments of heighten stress. Ideal to help combat the effects of, or prepare for a busy week.
Course Of Sessions
We recommend a course of sessions if you are looking at supporting a specific outcome. A course typically lasts five or ten weeks, where one or two light sessions per week can be scheduled.
This course protocol is then repeated every 2 to 3 months. Maintenance or relaxation sessions can be completed weekly or fortnightly during this more focused period; this is especially recommended if work or life stresses are significant.
Session Selection
Individual Session
A single session is perfect if you need a little mental relaxation during moments of heighten stress. Ideal to help combat the effects of, or prepare for a busy week.
Course Of Sessions
We recommend a course of sessions if you are looking at supporting a specific outcome. A course typically lasts five or ten weeks, where one or two light sessions per week can be scheduled.
This course protocol is then repeated every 2 to 3 months. Maintenance or relaxation sessions can be completed weekly or fortnightly during this more focused period; this is especially recommended if work or life stresses are significant.
Example Severn Clinics Sessions
No More Anxiety
Length: 30 minutes
Shake The Snow Globe
Length: 30 minutes
Return To Happiness
Length: 30 minutes
Purpose: Anxiety, Tension, Fear, and Stress Relief / Calm Awareness and Focus/Feelings of Well-being
Purpose: Neural Reset / Personal Development / Therapeutic Enhancement
Purpose: Mood Enhancing
Feeling: Gentle, Chilled, Sleepy, Peaceful, Calming, Enjoyable
Feeling: Gentle, Peaceful, Calming
Feeling: Gentle, Peaceful, Calming
Frequencies: 0.1Hz, SMR variable (13 -14 Hz)
Frequencies: 60Hz, 10.5Hz + mixed beta
Frequencies: Mixed SMR, Theta, and Medium Beta (plus matched isochronic tones)
Anxiety is probably the most prevalent challenge for people in modern times. Research shows that it’s not just an overabundance of higher brain waves that are more common in people with anxiety but a lack of coherence in the lower brain frequencies. This session is designed to help you retrain yourself into an idling state. The idling state is where you are ready to either take action or relax.
When you shake a snow globe, white ‘snow’ particles swirl around and slowly settle in a new pattern. People often use this opportunity to make a wish for the future. To say ‘Shake the snow globe’ in conversation refers to chaos or change. It means creating purposeful chaos before letting that chaos turn into a new normal. In essence, it’s a type of reset that allows for change. This session is designed to put the brain into a state of plasticity or malleability, so it’s open to change, new learnings and new habits. It gives you a great base to work from. There is no specific audio designed for this session, so you can either choose a pre-recorded meditation session or simply go into the session with an intention and use a piece of music that allows you to drift off.
Return to Happiness is a perfect pick me up. Feeling low can be all consuming and hard to break out of. This session is designed to help you break out of the habitual mindset of feeling low or depressed.
It’s great to use a session to get you feeling better temporarily. Better still though is to start to train your brain to be in the frequencies of mind that encourage happy moods. What shows in experience and research to be most effective in this goal is to encourage a brain state that is ready for action but relaxed – SMR or Low Beta. This session has a stable core of SMR with some moving Theta and Beta to further enhance the effects
Example Severn Clinics Sessions
No More Anxiety
Length: 30 minutes
Purpose: Anxiety, Tension, Fear, and Stress Relief / Calm Awareness and Focus/Feelings of Well-being
Feeling: Gentle, Chilled, Sleepy, Peaceful, Calming, Enjoyable
Frequencies: 0.1Hz, SMR variable (13 -14 Hz)
Anxiety is probably the most prevalent challenge for people in modern times. Research shows that it’s not just an overabundance of higher brain waves that are more common in people with anxiety but a lack of coherence in the lower brain frequencies. This session is designed to help you retrain yourself into an idling state. The idling state is where you are ready to either take action or relax.
Shake The Snow Globe
Length: 30 minutes
Purpose: Neural Reset / Personal Development / Therapeutic Enhancement
Feeling: Gentle, Peaceful, Calming
Frequencies: 60Hz, 10.5Hz + mixed beta
When you shake a snow globe, white ‘snow’ particles swirl around and slowly settle in a new pattern. People often use this opportunity to make a wish for the future. To say ‘Shake the snow globe’ in conversation refers to chaos or change. It means creating purposeful chaos before letting that chaos turn into a new normal. In essence, it’s a type of reset that allows for change. This session is designed to put the brain into a state of plasticity or malleability, so it’s open to change, new learnings and new habits. It gives you a great base to work from. There is no specific audio designed for this session, so you can either choose a pre-recorded meditation session or simply go into the session with an intention and use a piece of music that allows you to drift off.
Return To Happiness
Length: 30 minutes
Purpose: Mood Enhancing
Feeling: Gentle, Peaceful, Calming
Frequencies: Mixed SMR, Theta, and Medium Beta (plus matched isochronic tones)
Return to Happiness is a perfect pick me up. Feeling low can be all consuming and hard to break out of. This session is designed to help you break out of the habitual mindset of feeling low or depressed.
It’s great to use a session to get you feeling better temporarily. Better still though is to start to train your brain to be in the frequencies of mind that encourage happy moods. What shows in experience and research to be most effective in this goal is to encourage a brain state that is ready for action but relaxed – SMR or Low Beta. This session has a stable core of SMR with some moving Theta and Beta to further enhance the effects
Make A Booking
Please utilise our booking system for Wellington appointments by clicking the button below. For Wairarapa appointments, kindly use the appointment request form.
Appointment Request Form
Primary Contacts
Phone: 04 385 6446
Email: info@severnclinics.co.nz
Wellington:
Featherston Street Pain Clinic:
23 Waring Taylor St, Wellington, 6011 (Level 3)
Wairarapa:
Featherston Street Pain Clinic Greytown:
82 Main Street, Greytown 5712, New Zealand
Featherston Street Pain Clinic Masterton:
1 Jackson Street, Masterton 5810, New Zealand
Business Hours
Wellington:
Monday to Wednesday
9:00 am - 6:00 pm
Thursday:
7:00 am - 3:00 pm
Friday:
7:00 am - 3:00 pm
Wairarapa:
Monday to Tuesday
8:00 am - 12:00 pm
Saturday
8:00 am - 12:00pm