Anxiety

The Anxiety Response

Sometimes being stuck in anxiety might make you feel like there is no way out.

We are all born with an anxiety response and that response is normal. In fact, it is a vital reaction to threat. When we perceive danger, our amygdala (a very cool part of our brain) thinks there is something that it needs to protect us from. The problem is that our amygdala, is not a thinker, it's a doer, so sometimes it will think there is danger when there is no danger.

When our amygdala does into action, it primes us to respond to dangerous situations and there can be a wide range of body reactions to prepare us to fight, freeze or flee.

You might feel:

Breathless or puffed
Fast, shallow breathing
Flushed face
Sweaty
Dizzy or confused
Pounding heart
Arms and legs can feel tingly or wobbly
Burst of emotions such as crying or anger
Nausea, butterflies in your stomach or the urge to go to the bathroom
Dry mouth

Anxiety can feel different for everyone, and importantly, it can happen to anyone!

Parents play an important role in helping their child or teen manage their anxiety. So, how do you know if this natural response is a problem? Your family physician or trained mental health professional will look at how the anxiety presents in the physical, emotional, cognitive (thinking) and behavioural domains and then assess the intensity and frequency of the anxiety. They will also want to know how the anxiety is impacting or disrupting their lives.

Fight, Flight and Freeze (survival mode)

It's important to remember that we can move through all of these responses, but we often will have a favourite one that we default to. Remember when we enter fight, flight or freeze our brain is "offline". We have Flipped Our Lids and we cannot rationalize until the lid is back on.

Below is a simple diagram showing how anxiety can be a feedback loop that can help keep someone stuck in the anxiety loop, and sometimes we can even worry about our worries. When we can develop successful coping reactions/strategies, we can experience a decrease in the anxiety.

Link to video 'Fight, Flight, Freeze - A Guide to Anxiety for Kids

Anxiety Blogs & Podcasts

	Anxiety Slayer Access blogs, resources and weekly podcasts to help those suffering from anxiety, PTSD, stress, and panic attacks. Created by Shann Vander Leek and Ananga Sivyer.
	Anxiety-Schmanxiety Tanya J. Peterson, MS, NCC, a counsellor living with anxiety, writes this blog geared toward others going through similar experiences.
	Beautiful Voyager Beautiful Voyager, a space for overthinkers, perfectionists, and people pleasers. Crated by Meredith Arthur.
	Anxiety Unlimited Access resources, information, and actionable information
	Anxious Lass Kelly Jean was diagnosed with social anxiety. When she could not find resources she could relate to, she started to blog and write about her personal experiences. Find resources, blogs and more.