Anxiety Through a Biological lens:

Anxiety is a complex and layered psychological state that has biological underpinnings.  I believe breaking down these underpinnings is one of the best ways to look at anxiety as a mechanism and not something one merely has.  From a mental health perspective understanding the biology behind the process of anxiety can begin the breakdown of anxiety into parts and dynamics in order to better negotiate the symptoms that are associated with that mechanism.  Using words like mechanism has the potential to shift the mindset associated with the process of anxiety.  Anxiety is not something that needs to be surgically removed from your existence, it merely needs to be listened to, negotiated and questioned for accuracy.  Anxiety involves a combination of cognitive, emotional, behavioral, and physiological components. On a fundamental level, anxiety can be understood as a response to a perceived threat or stressor.  The brain is wired for protection, self-preservation and survival.  Treat it as such.

Anxiety is a process everyone experiences, the only variance is to what level of severity.  Change and the skill of mental flexibility do not exist without being accompanied by anxiety.  In its truest form anxiety is meant to be a tool to use and learn from not something to become.  This is much easier said than practically applied.  However, the change begins with how we frame anxiety.  As stated above the accurate framework anxiety fits in is as an indicator or flag to be informed by not become.  Yes, anxiety can be all encompassing and overwhelming at times, but it is merely part of your experience and not the whole.  Believing, not knowing, it is the whole is bad math and this is where questioning anxiety’s accuracy is paramount.  This is not meant to shame or belittle your anxiety’s existence but merely to ask questions of whether or not you are truly in danger or not, how and why is anxiety here, what is happening?  Again, do not shame the anxiety, be grateful for it being their because one day it may save your life or inform a pivotal decision.  When it rears itself thank it for being there then be curious of how and why it is there.  This is your power of how to use your brain’s process rather it uses you.

In Closing:

Anxiety is normal and essential, full stop.  It is part of the human experience, helping us respond to challenges and threats. However, when anxiety becomes chronic, excessive, or interferes with daily functioning, it has become disordered and unbalanced in its functionality.  When this occurs, you deserve and are worthy of support, such as therapy, cultivating skills of mindfulness, gratitude, self-awareness and/or engaging in lifestyle changes.

If you would like to talk about this further or begin the process of change in relation to your experience with anxiety, reach out, you are worth that.

Have a Blessed day, month and year!!

Sean Macauley, LMFT