The mind-body experience of anxiety
In another article, I explored the intertwined mind-body manifestations of depression. In this follow-up post, we are describing anxiety in a similar way.
Anxiety is a pervasive experience for many of us modern humans. Like the water a fish swims in, anxiety can become so normalized that we may not stop to consider what, specifically, we are feeling when we are anxious.
Sometimes, anxiety can take the form of fear; at other times, it can be experienced as irritability or restlessness. Some of us may be unaware that we are anxious, but focus intensely on problem-solving external situations.
To fully understand anxiety, it is helpful to look at how physical symptoms can correlate with the emotional distress of this condition. Part of a counsellor's role, especially a somatic counsellor, is to help identify these patterns of experience, drawing connections between events, thoughts, emotions, physical sensations, and health disturbances.
Here are some examples of mind-body manifestations of anxiety. Which of these sound familiar to you?
Heart Palpitations and Worrisome Thoughts: The sensation of a racing heart often goes hand in hand with racing thoughts, weaving physical sensations with cognitive patterns.
Breathing Difficulties and Overwhelm: As our breath becomes shallow or rapid, it often mirrors feelings of being overwhelmed or trapped in a spiral of concern.
Muscle Tension and Anticipatory Anxiety: Physical tightness or trembling in our muscles can be reflective of anticipating negative outcomes or ruminating on worrisome scenarios.
Digestive Discomfort and Emotional Turmoil: Just as our stomach might churn or feel unsettled, our emotions can feel equally tumultuous, with fears and concerns tossing and turning.
Sleep Disturbances and Persistent Concerns: Sleepless nights are not merely physical. They're entwined with the relentless cycle of thoughts and emotions that might keep an individual awake.
Fatigue and Emotional Drain: The weariness one feels isn't just physical fatigue but an emotional and mental drain, often resulting from the constant navigation of anxious feelings.
Sensations of Detachment and Cognitive Drift: That feeling of being detached, of floating outside one's body, often parallels a cognitive sense of drift, where focus is elusive and thoughts seem distant.
In counselling, it's crucial to see these manifestations as integral parts of the same experience, not isolated phenomena. This interconnected understanding reinforces the idea that our mental, emotional, and physical states are inextricably linked. With this in mind, a counselling treatment plan can address anxiety in its entirety, acknowledging the full spectrum of its impact.
If you’re curious to explore how these manifestations are showing up in your life and you could use some support, please feel welcome to book a 20-minute consultation with me. I offer counselling in Nelson, BC as well as online counselling in BC and in some other provinces.