There are two main pathways in the brain that can generate anxiety: the cortex pathway and the amygdala pathway. Both pathways can cause the amygdala to create an anxiety response, but they operate differently and can be targeted with different techniques. The Cortex Pathway: This pathway involves the thinking part of the brain and is… Read More »The two distinct pathways in the brain that generate anxiety
The amygdala is a crucial component of the brain’s anxiety response system. It quickly detects threats, initiates the fight-or-flight response, forms emotional memories, and influences other brain regions. The amygdala’s influence is particularly evident when anxiety feels out of proportion to the situation, or when anxiety arises with no clear trigger.
CPR for the Amygdala is a tool that helps individuals manage their emotional reactivity and stress by using the SNAP protocol: Sense, Notice, Apply and Preoccupy. It combines mindful self-touch with cognitive distractions or “brain games” to redirect attention and calm the amygdala. It can be used both reactively in moments of distress and proactively to build resilience and can be adapted for relationship support and managing difficult feedback. CPR for the Amygdala can reduce stress, increase internal control, develop neuroplasticity, improve the relationship with self, and provide a better ability to manage physical and emotional sensations.
Trauma significantly affects anxiety, altering brain function and leading to avoidant behaviours and heightened emotional reactivity. Addressing past traumas can lead to reduced anxiety and a richer more meaningful life. Self-help techniques like mindfulness, acceptance and conscious breathing can help, and there are several effective approaches that can be used by a professional. Choosing the right approach is a very personal journey that is best explored with the support of a qualified professional, and it is important to pay attention to key indicators when it’s time to seek that support. The aim is not to erase difficult feelings or thoughts but to transform one’s relationship to them.
Burnout is a serious condition resulting from prolonged stress that can affect anyone, not just those in traditional work environments. It is characterised by exhaustion, negativity, and reduced effectiveness. The key to preventing and treating burnout lies in a combination of reducing workplace stressors and empowering individuals to take care of themselves, manage their emotions and set boundaries. By addressing these elements proactively, both employees and employers can contribute to healthier, more productive, and more satisfying work environments.
mindfulness helps to create a different relationship with thoughts and emotions by increasing awareness, promoting acceptance, and reducing reactivity. By observing your internal experiences with non-judgmental awareness, mindfulness can help you gain control over the link between thoughts and emotions, making you less controlled by them and more able to respond thoughtfully.
Havening is a psychosensory technique that combines touch, attention and positive visualisation to alleviate anxiety and other emotional and physical difficulties. Havening is able to interrupt neural pathways in the brain and form new, positive ones. Through gentle touch and focussed attention, it helps to release emotional memories and associated negative emotions and can reduce physical pain and increase a sense of wellbeing. Havening can address root causes of anxiety by depotentiating the encoding of past traumatic experiences, and can be used for self-care and professional settings as it is safe, quick, empowering and effective. Havening does not retraumatise clients, and allows them to experience actual change in their quality of life.
When you feel like your mind is “nervous,” it often means that certain parts of your brain are overactive or misinterpreting signals. It’s helpful to understand the roles of these key areas: The Amygdala: This is like your brain’s alarm system. It’s designed to respond to threats and can trigger a fight, flight, or freeze… Read More »Understanding Your “Nervous Mind”: what helps calm your mind
The amygdala is a key structure in the brain that plays a significant role in the experience of anxiety. It’s important to understand its function to gain insight into why anxiety occurs and how it can be managed. What is the Amygdala? The amygdala is a small, almond-shaped structure located deep within the brain. There… Read More »The amygdala and anxiety connection
The amygdala plays a central role in the experience of psychological trauma. It is a part of the limbic system, which is responsible for survival-based responses to threat. The amygdala is primarily involved in processing emotions, especially fear and anxiety, and it is critical for generating emotional and physiological responses to stimuli. Here is a… Read More »The amygdala and trauma: understanding what your brain is doing leading to roots for your recovery.
Firstly, it’s important to understand that the hippocampus is a part of your brain that is involved in learning, memory, emotional control, and stress arousal. When we talk about ‘hippocampus anxiety‘, we’re referring to the role of this structure in the experience of anxiety. The hippocampus can be affected by stress, which in turn impacts… Read More »What is hippocampus anxiety
Amygdala-based anxiety refers to anxiety that originates in the amygdala, a part of the brain that processes emotions, particularly fear. The amygdala is responsible for attaching emotional significance to situations or objects and forming emotional memories, which can be positive or negative. In the case of anxiety, the amygdala can create anxiety-producing memories that trigger… Read More »What amygdala anxiety is.
Rewiring your anxious brain is possible through understanding how your brain creates anxiety and implementing strategies to change those patterns. 1. Understand the Brain’s Anxiety Pathways Two main pathways create anxiety: The cortex pathway involves thoughts, worries, and interpretations that can lead to anxiety. The amygdala pathway is more direct, triggering bodily reactions like fight,… Read More »How to rewire your anxious brain
The amygdala, a small almond-shaped structure located deep within the brain, is often referred to as the brain’s “smoke detector” or “survival alarm”. It is responsible for quickly identifying potential threats and triggering a response, even before conscious awareness. Here’s a breakdown of the amygdala’s functions in relation to anxiety: Threat Detection and Rapid Response:… Read More »The Amygdala: A Key Player in Anxiety Responses
Trauma can lead to several physiological changes, such as changes in brain wave patterns and an increase in stress hormone activity. These changes are the result of the brain’s attempt to protect itself from further harm. However, they can also lead to several problems, including anxiety. Trauma changes the way a person experiences the world.… Read More »The Connection Between Trauma and Anxiety