Anxiety

When an individual faces harmful or potentially threatening stimuli, feelings of anxiety are not only normal but necessary for survival. Throughout history, the approach of potential danger sets off alarms in the human body and allows evasive action. These alarms become noticeable in the form of a raised heartbeat, sweating, trembling, dizziness, temperature changes, nausea and/or increased sensitivity to surroundings.

The perception of danger causes a rush of adrenalin, a hormonal and chemical response in the brain, which in turn triggers these anxious reactions in a process often called the “fight-or-flight" response. This prepares humans to physically confront or flee any potential threats to safety. When needed to escape harm, this is an adaptive response. The duration or severity of an anxious feeling, however, can sometimes be out of proportion to the original trigger or stressor. If the original threat has past but the emotional and physical symptoms endure, anxiety can begin to interfere with daily functioning.

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If you find yourself experiencing any of the symptoms above, you may benefit from nervous-system focused treatment to address the symptoms and root(s) of anxiety.