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What do you do when things go wrong? Do you immediately spiral into panic, imagining everything is wrong? Do you get angry, yell, curse, and blame? Do you get physical—hitting or throwing things? It’s natural to get upset when things don’t go as planned. The feeling of uncertainty, disappointment, and being out of control can disturb even the most patient person. Yet venting frustration ultimately doesn’t change the problem, and, in some cases, it may even cause new ones! Whether you are planning a special occasion, a vacation, or your day – expect that something will not go as planned.
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That’s why it’s great to have a strategy to better roll with life’s upsets, mishaps, and unexpected problems. Psychiatrist Dr. Daniel Amen of Amen Clinics employs a simple strategy he calls the “Rule of 12.” To practice it, Dr. Amen says you must fully accept that things often don’t go as planned in life. Then, make a decision not to get upset until after 12 things have gone wrong. Additionally, by becoming mentally strong with the following constructive coping skills, you’ll be less likely to lose your cool the next time things go wrong.

6 COPING STRATEGIES

  1. Accept that problems happen.

Whether you’re planning a special occasion, a vacation, or just your average day, expect that something will go wrong. Even with the best planning, there can always be an “x” factor that is beyond our control. Expecting perfection is a setup for disappointment. It’s more helpful to set expectations based on the reality that problems will occur. That way you can more readily adjust to the dynamic conditions of life. Remember, until you get to 12 problems in a day, it’s just business as usual!

  1. Identify your feelings and thoughts.

When plans are disrupted or changed suddenly, it will often cause anxious feelings, panic attacks, frustration, anger issues, irritation, disappointment, or other negative feelings. One of the most constructive things you can do is to pause and recognize your feelings, allowing yourself to feel them fully. If you’re particularly upset, it’s also helpful to examine your thoughts. Is there a thought that is adding stress to the situation? It could be an automatic negative thought (ANT) that is not accurate. Maybe you want to blame yourself or your partner for the mishap. Identifying your emotions and thoughts is the first step in helping you to regulate them and more easily move into acceptance and a positive mindset.

  1. Calm the fire.

When things go wrong, your “fight-or-flight” stress response—part of the autonomic nervous system—can get activated. Feeling jittery, sweaty palms, a quickened heart rate, or feeling teary are common signs that your nervous system is on high alert. Before you can begin to cope with stressful circumstances, take a moment to calm your nervous system. Take a few deep breaths. Drink a glass of water. Do whatever allows you to take the upset down a notch. In this way, you will be using your prefrontal cortex (responsible for judgment, planning, and decision-making) to signal your body to calm down. Mental health experts call this emotional regulation—the opposite of losing it! Once your stress response has settled down, you can then better handle what’s happening and find positive options and solutions.  

  1. Be flexible.

When things go wrong, be flexible. People who are resilient tend to have flexible thinking according to research. Accept that your plan may have some deviations. Sometimes, things can turn out even better when the plan goes differently! If you can, stay open to other options and the input of other people. There are many ways to solve a problem. If you can practice flexible thinking, you’ll be more likely to adapt and maybe even enjoy the unexpected.

  1. Stay positive and focus on solutions.

Imagine you’re returning from a wonderful day at the beach with a friend and you run into traffic. You can see that up ahead there’s an accident, but the road is fully blocked. There’s no other option except to wait until the road is cleared. You immediately feel a sense of being trapped, anger, and frustration. Here’s how you can stay positive and focused on solutions. Take a moment to be with your feelings. This will make it easier to accept it even though you don’t like it. Then look for ways to make the most of the time. Perhaps you and your friend take turns picking songs to listen to or take the opportunity to talk in depth on an interesting topic. If you’re alone, you might call someone or listen to your favorite podcast or an audiobook. Research shows that keeping your mind focused on something positive can calm anxious feelings. Learning to think positively and find solutions is associated with greater life satisfaction and resilience as well, according to a recent 2023 study. A positive mindset sees “problems” as opportunities. This is true even if the opportunity is simply to accept a disappointment, loss, or change of plans and trust there will be something of value from the experience.

  1. Ask for help.

When things go wrong, ask for help. If you lose your keys, ask your spouse to help you find them. Or, if your car doesn’t start, ask your neighbor for a ride. If your problem is something larger and more difficult, seek the counsel of a trusted friend, colleague, or family member. They may help you strategize a solution, offer a helpful perspective, or provide moral support that makes you feel better. Social support has been shown to reduce stress levels and boost resilience in studies. We also tend to underestimate how much people truly want to help. Recent research shows they are happy to give it. For more pervasive issues, reaching out to a mental health professional can help you build emotional regulation and flexible thinking. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can help you transform negative thoughts.

WHAT NOT TO DO WHEN THINGS GO WRONG

When things go sideways, in addition to taking constructive steps, it’s equally important to avoid destructive ones that contribute to emotional dysregulation, such as:

HOW TO MINIMIZE EVERYDAY PROBLEMS

The following habits can help you eliminate routine problems before they happen and better cope with the ones beyond your control: Next time things don’t go according to plan, remember Dr. Amen’s Rule of 12 and roll with it! Anger issues, anxiety, emotional dysregulation, and other mental health issues can’t wait. At Amen Clinics, we’re here for you. We offer in-clinic brain scanning and appointments, as well as mental telehealth, clinical evaluations, and therapy for adults, teens, children, and couples. Find out more by speaking to a specialist today at 888-288-9834 or visit our contact page here. We all experience anxiety at some level—in fact, it’s crucial to human survival. But sometimes worry, fear, and nervousness surpass a useful or typical amount, developing into anxiety disorders. Anxiety is the mot common mental health condition in the U.S., with 40 million adults, or more than 18% of the population, affected every year. Anxiety can also intersect with many other mental health conditions, including panic attacks or panic disorder, clinical depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and phobias. It can trigger physical symptoms, such as rapid heartbeat and muscle tension, and interfere with work, school, and relationships. Conversely, anxiety may result from deeper issues that require their own attention, such as medication interactions, substance abuse, or head injury. The good news is, if you’re facing anxiety, seeking professional help can make a significant positive impact on your day-to-day life and long-term health. And, today, there are a number of psychotherapy modalities that have been shown effective for anxiety. Here, we’ll examine 10 popular types of mental health therapy, how they work, and how they can assist in quelling anxiety symptoms. If you’re facing anxiety, seeking professional help can make a significant positive impact on your day-to-day life and long-term health.
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10 TYPES OF THERAPY FOR ANXIETY 

  1. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), true to its name, aims to change the way you think and act. Specifically, it is designed to help you evolve from negative thinking patterns and behaviors to healthier ways of coping.
This method is helpful for a long list of mental health conditions, including: You’ll learn how to challenge automatic negative thoughts (ANTs), face fears, set goals, and engage in more positive self-talk. With practice, using CBT techniques can lessen stress and anxiety, boost moods and motivation, and improve self-confidence.
  1. Dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) is particularly beneficial for those who could be described as rigid or inflexible, because it encourages exploring different perspectives and ideas.
One study, published in Trends in Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, tested both CBT and DBT on subjects with generalized anxiety disorder. Afterward, both groups showed reduced scores for depression and anxiety and increased scores for executive function. Although CBT is more widely known, results suggested that dialectical therapy was more effective for improving executive function. The study noted that DBT’s focal points of emotional regulation, distress tolerance, mindfulness, and interpersonal relationships were factors likely to improve anxiety symptoms.
  1. Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) can be especially helpful for anxiety that is associated with trauma, including PTSD, as well as phobias and panic disorders. When traumatic memories get “stuck” in the brain, they can lead to intrusive and unwanted effects, such as experiencing flashbacks or anxiety.
EMDR therapy works to help reprocess the trauma through bilateral stimulation of the brain, via practices like tapping or eye movements. This ultimately helps change the way the brain stores these traumatic memories and can help reduce or eliminate their associated negative emotions. Patients may notice improvement after 4 to 12 sessions, and EMDR can be utilized alongside other therapeutic approaches.
  1. Neurofeedback therapy taps into the power of the brain to improve emotional and behavioral health. Neurofeedback has been associated with reduced symptoms of anxiety disorders and stress, including in a 2021 study published in Basic and Clinical Neuroscience.
During a session, you play a computerized video game with your mind as electrodes placed on the scalp measure brainwave activity. Neurofeedback trains the brain on the spot by coaching you to help attain the optimal state of activity. Ultimately, this process helps you learn to self-regulate your brain, with benefits that last long after the session ends—leading to improvements in work, school, home life, and relationships.
  1. Mindfulness cognitive therapy may help with anxiety while offering numerous additional mental health benefits. One study, published in Frontiers in Psychology in 2022, stated that mindfulness-based interventions appeared to be a “particularly promising and viable treatment approach” for reducing adolescents’ social anxiety symptoms.
Mindfulness cognitive therapy blends the Eastern tradition of mindfulness practices with Western approaches like CBT. This modality may also be supported by high-tech tools like an EEG-based neurofeedback device, shown in another study to improve symptoms of OCD, a form of anxiety.
  1. Exposure therapy, research suggests, may be especially useful for people with phobias. When you run from your anxiety—for example, flee a setting when fear is triggered—you can actually make anxiety worse.
Thus, in exposure therapy, you are guided through the practice of facing your fears. For example, you may make a list of situations that produce feelings of fear and anxiety, then—starting with the least-threatening ones—gradually begin facing them. This modality can even incorporate computer-generated virtual reality as a safe way to confront fears. Over time, exposure helps the concerns seem less threatening, thereby reducing anxiety.
  1. Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) is an intervention that aims to increase psychological flexibility, according to the Association for Contextual Behavioral Science. It utilizes acceptance and mindfulness strategies, as well as behavioral change strategies.
Ultimately, you learn how to interact in a healthy way with fearful thoughts, feelings, memories, and physical sensations that you’ve previously avoided. You learn how to reframe and accept them, while changing your behavior in positive ways. For example, one helpful exercise is defining your core values. By outlining these and allowing them to propel your actions, you’ll naturally lower anxiety and increase happiness by living a more purposeful life.
  1. Art and music therapy offer creative ways to combat anxiety. Art therapy encourages self-expression through visual art forms like painting, sculpture, and drawing. Music therapy and dance therapy use the power of music and movement to improve feelings of well-being.
One critical review in 2022 found that art therapy helped with emotion regulation (including emotion acceptance and goal-oriented actions), leading to anxiety reduction. The researchers noted that art therapy, which can be used as an adjunct treatment with other modalities, was associated with overall improved mental health in patients.
  1. Interpersonal therapy (IPT) is defined by the International Society of Interpersonal Psychotherapy as a time-limited (12-16 weeks) and diagnosis-targeted treatment, often used for major depression and other mental health disorders.
Therapists practicing IPT assist patients in solving interpersonal crises while helping them understand their emotions as social signals. Because IPT targets interpersonal factors that are increasing anxiety levels, it’s designed to improve personal interactions, bolster social supports, and reduce symptoms of conditions like anxiety.
  1. Psychoanalysis was originally introduced through the work of Sigmund Freud in the early 20th century, and it still impacts how therapy is approached today. Psychoanalysis is a type of therapy that’s designed to be implemented over a prolonged period, as the therapist explores deeper issues like unconscious drivers of behavior and family patterns.
The American Psychological Association notes that these unconscious forces can include repressed impulses, internal conflicts, and the effects of childhood trauma. These factors then impact mental health and resilience. Psychoanalysis may include techniques like free association, dream analysis, and analysis of resistances and defenses.

SEEKING THERAPY FOR ANXIETY

When your anxiety is interfering with daily life, tasks, and relationships, it’s time to seek help from a qualified medical professional. Therapy can help reduce symptoms while also improving various other mental health conditions that co-occur alongside anxiety. Moreover, it’s crucial to explore the possibility of deeper mental, physical, and emotional issues at the root of anxiety. Finding the most effective therapy depends on which type of anxiety you have. The brain-imaging work at Amen Clinics using SPECT scans shows there are 7 types of anxiety (and depression), so it’s critical to know your type. No matter which type(s) of anxiety therapy you choose, know that there is help available—and a brighter, more peaceful future ahead. Anxiety, panic disorder, and other mental health issues can’t wait. At Amen Clinics, we’re here for you. We offer in-clinic brain scanning and appointments, as well as mental telehealth, clinical evaluations, and therapy for adults, teens, children, and couples. Find out more by speaking to a specialist today at 888-288-9834 or visit our contact page here. Some anxiety is good for you. It’s true! Our brains are biologically wired to protect us from danger, and a healthy dose of anxiety helps to keep us safe. It also keeps us motivated and prepared, so we can perform at a high level. Unfortunately, there are millions of people suffering with far too much anxiety. They can spend time predicting the worst, being wracked by nervousness, chronic muscle tension, among other symptoms. It’s as though their “idle” is set too high, and they’re frequently plagued by self-doubt, fear, and panic. In some cases, it can lead to an anxiety attack or panic attack. If you’re one of the millions of Americans struggling with anxiety or panic, the good news is that you can gain control of your symptoms. If you experience an anxiety attack or a panic attack,  simply follow this 4-step plan. It’s the same one Dr. Daniel Amen has taught to thousands of his own patients at Amen Clinics. Click to Tweet If you’re one of the millions of Americans struggling with anxiety or panic, the good news is that you can gain control of your symptoms. Simply follow Dr. Amen’s 4 step panic plan.

AMEN’S 4-STEP PANIC PLAN

Here are 4 steps to help you break an anxiety attack or panic attack.

Step 1: Do diaphragmatic breathing.

Often when people begin to experience anxiety, their breathing becomes shallow, rapid, and erratic. Since the brain is the most metabolically active organ in your body, any state that lowers oxygen will trigger more fear and panic. By taking slow, deep breaths you’ll boost oxygen to your brain and start to regain control over how you feel. One way to practice deep breathing is by learning how to breathe from your diaphragm—the area of the body that tends to get “clenched” when we’re anxious. To practice breathing from your diaphragm, try this: When you experience a panic attack in a public place, you likely won’t be able to lie down and put a book on your belly. However, if you have practiced this breathing technique at home, you’ll learn how to replicate it without the lying down or using a book. You can do diaphragmatic breathing anywhere—on an airplane, in a crowded conference, or in your office at work. Step 2: Don’t leave. Unless the situation is life-threatening, do not leave, run away from, or ignore whatever is causing you the anxiety. You must face the fear or concern directly, or it will always have control over you and increase your anxiety. For example, if you’re in a restaurant and you start feeling panicky, don’t rush out the front door. Stay where you are and do these 4 steps. If you start getting anxiety attacks on a regular basis, you may find it beneficial to talk to a trained psychotherapist. Opening up about your anxiety and fears, especially if you’ve been exposed to trauma of any kind, can be helpful. There are some very good types of mental health therapy that help people overcome anxiety disorder symptoms, including those brought on by traumatic or life-threatening experiences. One such method that is often recommended to Amen Clinics patients with trauma-related anxiety or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR). This non-invasive therapy helps to remove the emotional charges of traumatic memories. Research shows that EMDR therapy can be beneficial for those who are struggling with PTSD, anxiety, and depression.

Step 3: Write down your thoughts.

Often in panicked situations, our thoughts become distorted and need to be challenged. Pay attention to the automatic negative thoughts (ANTs) in your mind and write them down to see if they make sense. The act of writing them down helps get them out of your mind. Then question those thoughts to see if they are distorted. Ask yourself if your thoughts are true. Then notice how these thoughts make you feel. Chances are, ANTs make you feel more anxious and panicky. They may make your heart race, cause your breathing to become more shallow, or make your stomach feel like it’s tied up in knots. Take note of all these sensations. Then challenge yourself to come up with a more realistic version of the thought. Or ask yourself if the opposite of that though is actually truer than the original thought. Look for evidence to support this new thought. When you catch yourself in the middle of an ANT invasion, taking a logical approach to eliminating those ANTs can help you calm down.

Step 4: Supplement your brain and body.

If you’ve practiced steps 1-3, but are still suffering from too much anxiety, you may need supplements or medication to help you feel calmer. Remember that this is the last step—to be used if the first 3 aren’t effective. Some people with severe symptoms may require some form of anxiety medication on a temporary basis. Be sure to check with your health care provider before taking any form of anti-anxiety medication and be aware of the risks. For example, functional brain imaging with SPECT scans shows that anxiety drugs can have harmful effects on the brain when taken over time. Benzodiazepines decrease activity in the brain and increase the risk of dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease. Below are images of a healthy SPECT scan and a scan of someone who was hooked on benzodiazepines. In the healthy scan, there is full, even, symmetrical activity. In the benzodiazepine scan, there are many “holes” that indicate low levels of blood flow and activity. The bumpy, scalloped appearance is similar to what is seen in SPECT scans of people who are alcoholics or who have brain toxicity. Healthy SPECT Surface Scan Full, even, symmetrical activity                Benzodiazepine Image Overall decreased activity Some individuals do well with nutritional supplements. Calming nutraceuticals include magnesium, GABA, ashwagandha, and some of the B vitamins, especially B6. Taking these on a daily basis may have a beneficial effect.

CONQUERING ANXIETY AND PANIC

By following these 4 simple steps, you can regain control over your panic attacks and anxiety disorders. Make it a priority to practice these steps on a regular basis, and you should notice a decrease in anxiety symptoms. Anxiety attacks, panic attacks, and other mental health issues can’t wait. At Amen Clinics, we’re here for you. We offer in-clinic brain scanning and appointments, as well as mental telehealth, clinical evaluations, and therapy for adults, teens, children, and couples. Find out more by speaking to a specialist today at 888-288-9834 or visit our contact page here. If you or someone you love suffers from anxiety—as more than 40 million U.S. adults do—it’s important to know the signs and triggers of an anxiety attack. An anxiety attack is usually the result of an increasing number of stressors that lead to an overwhelming experience of anxiety. Because anxiety attack symptoms are similar to those of a panic attack, they are often thought to be the same thing. But they are, in fact, different. Adding to the confusion, in some cases, an anxiety attack can arise without any knowable trigger at all. Here’s what you need to know about anxiety attacks, how they differ from panic attacks, and what to do if you have one. Anxiety attacks result from a perfect storm of life stressors, psychological factors, and physical triggers, and sometimes can occur with no triggers at all.
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WHAT IS AN ANXIETY ATTACK?

We all experience anxiety from time to time. However, for many people, the anxiety “idle” is set too high. They worry and are nervous about everyday life responsibilities and events. They may experience excessive amounts of anxious and nervous feelings that are disproportionate to circumstances—even ones that pose no threat. This excessive anxiety —also called an anxiety disorder—is the most common mental health concern among U.S. adults today. More than one-third of Americans will experience an anxiety disorder at some point in their lives, the National Institute of Mental Health reports. For anxious people who have an added life stressor such as a new job or activity, a work deadline, or a big life event, anxious feelings, stress, and tension can begin to mount. This stress typically builds up slowly. Eventually, it reaches an overwhelming level of all-encompassing fear, stress, and anxiety that can last for hours, days, or even longer. This experience is called an anxiety attack. Symptoms of anxiety attack may include any of the following: If an individual has no strategies for calming these worries and fears, an anxiety attack can interfere with normal and healthy daily functioning. Anxiety attacks can be mild or moderate, as well as severe.

ANXIETY ATTACK VS. PANIC ATTACK

Whereas anxiety attack symptoms gradually build up, panic attacks are less predictable, often come on suddenly, and are generally more intense. They may seemingly come out of the blue (called unexpected panic attacks) or in response to a known trigger (expected panic attacks). Common triggers may be: Whether they are expected or not, the symptoms can come on very quickly and are highly disruptive. The symptoms of a panic attack include: A panic attack can last anywhere from 5-20 minutes with an average of 10 minutes. The symptoms come on strong and may make an individual feel like they are losing control, going crazy, or may be dying. Although it can feel life-threatening, a panic attack poses no serious harm. Here’s a quick recap of the differences between a panic attack and an anxiety attack:

Panic Attack vs. Anxiety Attack

Usually occurs with trigger, but not always. Usually occurs in response to a perceived stressor(s) or threat(s), except in rare cases.
Symptoms often appear suddenly. Anxious feelings build gradually over time.
Highly disruptive symptoms. Symptoms vary from mild to severe.
Lasts a short duration (average 10 minutes). Lasts for hours, days, or longer.
 

ANXIETY TRIGGERS

Anxiety attacks result from a perfect storm of life stressors, psychological factors, and physical triggers, and sometimes can occur with no triggers at all. Any of the following life stressors could trigger or contribute to an anxiety attack: There are physical triggers too: Additionally, there are mental health issues that may factor into an anxiety attack. Chronic negative thinking—including “all or nothing” thinking and negative self-talk—can make anxiety worse. Other mental health conditions—such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, social anxiety disorder, and substance abuse disorder—can play a role in anxiety attacks too. This is especially true when these issues go untreated.

REASONS FOR ANXIETY ATTACKS WITHOUT TRIGGERS

There are instances when an individual may experience an anxiety attack for no apparent reason. This generally happens when there’s an underlying cause beyond an individual’s awareness.

HOW TO CALM AN ANXIETY ATTACK

If you believe you’re having an anxiety attack, the following actions may help to bring calm. Of course, if it is a severe attack, reach out to a mental health professional or go to your nearest emergency room for care.

1. Practice deep breathing.

Shallow or erratic breathing is a common symptom of anxiety attacks. Less oxygen to the brain only increases anxiety. If you can take slow, deep breaths you’ll boost oxygen to your brain and gain better control of how you feel. Try this:

2. Be with the feeling.

Unless the situation is life-threatening, stay present. Anxiety will not go away until you face the fear or concern. If your anxiety is triggered by past trauma, eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) is an effective treatment. It helps to remove the emotional charges of traumatic memories. Additionally, exposure therapy may be helpful as it safely exposes you to anxiety-provoking stimuli and provides techniques for handling it.

3. Write it down.

Write down your thoughts. Pay attention to the automatic negative thoughts (ANTs) in your mind and jot them down to see if they are accurate. If they are distorted, challenge them by writing down a more realistic version of the same thought. Cognitive behavioral therapy can be helpful in correcting negative thinking. Research has shown CBT to be effective in helping to reduce anxiety. Of course, general good self-care will go a long way to keeping anxiety in check. Be sure you regularly get plenty of restful sleep, exercise, and good nutrition. In addition, engage in restorative practices, such as meditation, hobbies, yoga, and relaxation. Anxiety attacks, panic attacks, and other mental health issues can’t wait. At Amen Clinics, we’re here for you. We offer in-clinic brain scanning and appointments, as well as mental telehealth, clinical evaluations, and therapy for adults, teens, children, and couples. Find out more by speaking to a specialist today at 888-288-9834 or visit our contact page here.   Anxiety is our country’s most common mental health condition. Every year, 40 million American adults—that’s more than 18% of the population—develop some form of anxiety disorder. These numbers are rising due to a phenomenon called post-COVID anxiety. In many cases, the standard treatment approach involves prescribing anti-anxiety medications. But there’s a lot you may not know about how these drugs negatively impact your brain and body.   Brain SPECT imaging at Amen Clinics shows that benzodiazepines for anxiety are clearly associated with unhealthy-looking brains.
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WHAT ARE ANTI-ANXIETY MEDICATIONS?

To treat various types of anxiety and panic attacks, many physicians prescribe antidepressants and/or anti-anxiety pills. Some of the most commonly prescribed anti-anxiety medications include benzodiazepines (often called “benzos” for short). This is a group of drugs that the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) classifies as “depressants that produce sedation and hypnosis, relieve anxiety and muscle spasms, and reduce seizures.” Common prescription brand names are Valium, Xanax, Halcion, Ativan, and Klonopin. But just because these drugs are prescribed by doctors for the treatment of anxiety doesn’t mean they’re harmless. Here are just a few of the ways they can interfere with the health of your body and brain.

5 HARMFUL EFFECTS OF ANTI-ANXIETY MEDICATIONS

1. Anxiety medications can lead to brain toxicity.

Though doctors often prescribe anti-anxiety medications for mental health treatment, these drugs can actually be harmful to the brain. Benzodiazepines not only suppress brain activity, but they can also make the brain look toxic over time. Brain SPECT imaging at Amen Clinics shows that benzodiazepines for anxiety are clearly associated with unhealthy-looking brains. On SPECT scans, overall decreased blood flow to the brain is commonly seen with benzo use. Low blood flow is the number-one brain imaging predictor that an individual will eventually develop Alzheimer’s disease.

2. Anxiety medications can be habit-forming, addictive, and prone to misuse.

There’s a reason why benzodiazepines are listed by the DEA. It’s because they are frequently abused. Since they slow the nervous system and lead to a more relaxed state, people may take them to achieve a “downer” effect or create a feeling of euphoria. Abuse of these drugs can create a host of problems, including amnesia, hostility, irritability, and vivid or disturbing dreams, according to the DEA. Overdoses are also a possibility. Benzodiazepine overdose symptoms include extreme drowsiness, confusion, impaired coordination, decreased reflexes, and respiratory depression. In some cases, this can lead to coma and possibly death. In fact, the National Institute on Drug Abuse reported that deaths from overdoses involving benzos quadrupled from 2002 to 2015. Taking benzos in combination with other depressants, such as alcohol and/or sleeping pills, increases the chances of overdose. That’s no surprise, as prescriptions continue to rise. One study, published in a 2021 issue of Journal of the American Medical Association, noted that the pandemic ushered in an increase in benzodiazepine prescriptions among women. Another 2020 report cited that 30.6 million adults (12.6% of the population) reported past-year benzodiazepine use annually. While 25.3 million (10.4%) claimed to take it as prescribed, 5.3 million (2.2%) admitted to misuse. And misuse actually accounted for 17.2% of benzodiazepine use overall. Even if these drugs are not abused, they can be very difficult to stop once they are a part of someone’s daily life. As the body withdraws from anxiety pills, an individual may experience a long and painful recovery process before feeling normal again. Note that if you’ve taken any kind of benzodiazepine for a long time, don’t stop taking it suddenly. This can increase your anxiety and lead to a long list of other unpleasant side effects. Find a physician who can help you taper off the drug and who can educate you about natural solutions for anxiety (some suggestions are listed below).

3. Anxiety medications have been associated with dementia.

In some studies, anxiety disorder medications have been examined for their link to an increased incidence of dementia. One 2016 report suggested that “long-term use of benzodiazepines and long-acting benzodiazepines are strongly associated with an increased risk of dementia.” In addition, a 2019 analysis of 10 studies found that using benzodiazepines for long periods of time increased the likelihood of developing dementia by over 50%. These findings have since been bolstered by a 2022 study published in Nature Neuroscience that examined how these drugs interfere with brain function. Researchers found that benzodiazepines damage microglial cells in the brain, which then interfere with the brain’s synaptic connections. Essentially, it interrupts communication, which brings on the symptoms of cognitive decline.

4. Anxiety medications may contribute to treatment-resistant depression.

Mental health issues commonly occur in tandem. But when we tackle one mental health issue by prescribing medication only to cause another, there’s a problem. One study, published in The Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease, illustrates this concept. Researchers examined treatment-resistant depression and categorized participants into low, medium, and high, based on the number of medications taken for their depression. They found some similarities in the “high” treatment-resistant (TR) group, including a longer duration of depressive episodes and a higher number of comorbid medical and anxiety disorders. These patients were also more likely to believe that medication was contributing to their current depression. “The most striking finding was benzodiazepine use, which was significantly more common in the high TR group and within both the melancholic and non-melancholic subsets,” the report concluded.

5. Anxiety medications may be linked to nutrient deficiencies.

Nutrient deficiencies can hamper everything from our moods to cognitive abilities, and anxiety disorder medication has been linked to numerous deficiencies. For example, one study reports that these patients are significantly more likely to experience vitamin D deficiency. Low vitamin D levels have been associated with 200-plus health conditions, including depression, psychosis, autism, and heart disease. Some people who have taken anti-anxiety medications have reported lower levels of many other nutrients, such as melatonin, folate, calcium, and vitamins B1, B6, B12, and K. This phenomenon is called “drug-induced nutrient depletion.” Unfortunately, nutrient deficiencies only make mental health issues worse. It’s a potentially deadly combination, as seen in the research that shows benzodiazepines increase the risk of attempting or dying by suicide.

NATURAL ALTERNATIVES TO ANXIETY MEDICATION

Fortunately, there are many ways to tackle anxiety disorders that do not require potentially addictive and harmful medications. Free and easy methods—available to anyone, anytime—include meditation, prayer, and deep breathing. Mindful, slow movement also helps, so you might try qi gong, yoga, or tai chi. Certain nutritional supplements, especially GABA, L-theanine, and magnesium, have also been associated with decreased anxiety levels. Of course, eating a nutrient-packed, healthy diet is an essential part of any anti-anxiety treatment plan. For clinical intervention, neurofeedback or hypnosis can work to calm an active mind. In addition, seeing a mental health professional who offers brain imaging and lab testing to rule out other potential medical conditions that may be contributing to anxiety is critical. The proper combination of medication-free treatment techniques can work wonders for many people who want to keep anxiety in check. Work with your mental health professional to find the right anti-anxiety program for you. Anxiety disorders and other mental health issues can’t wait. At Amen Clinics, we’re here for you. We offer in-clinic brain scanning and appointments, as well as mental telehealth, clinical evaluations, and therapy for adults, teens, children, and couples. Find out more by speaking to a specialist today at 888-288-9834 or visit our contact page here.   Are you afraid of dying? It’s common to feel uncomfortable about our own mortality, but some people experience intense dread at the thought of dying. Extreme fear of death or dying is called thanatophobia, and it can interfere with daily life. In this blog, you’ll learn how writing your own eulogy and several other strategies can help you overcome death anxiety, so you can start living your life fully.   Writing your own eulogy is one of several strategies that can help you overcome death anxiety, so you can start living your life fully.
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WHAT IS THANATOPHOBIA?

Thanatophobia is an excessive fear of death or dying, although it is not included as a clinical disorder in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). In clinical terms, thanatophobia is typically associated with general anxiety disorder or as a specific phobia One study found that fear of death phobia can also be present in depression, panic disorder, and hypochondriasis (health anxiety). Hypochondriasis involves worrying excessively about developing a serious medical condition. With health anxiety, you may obsessively check your blood pressure, scour your body for suspicious moles, or monitor your heart rate. Overall, a fear of death can seriously impact your emotional well-being and everyday life. Thanatophobia symptoms include: Some people with this condition take extreme measures to avoid discussions about death. They may also refuse to visit loved ones who are sick or dying and may not attend funerals. Other signs of thanatophobia are physical in nature, such as:

WHO IS AT RISK FOR FEAR OF DEATH?

Most of us have a fear of death. Our brains are wired for survival, so anything that threatens our existence sets off alarm bells in our minds. Risk factors associated with fear of death include:

CONSEQUENCES OF DEATH ANXIETY

Having death anxiety can interfere with daily life. Intrusive thoughts about dying can make it challenging to perform well at school or work. It can also get in the way of relationships. One study found that death anxiety is linked to a greater likelihood of having other mental health disorders. It is also associated with increased severity of psychiatric issues. Being afraid of dying also plays a role in the way you process grief. According to a 2020 study, having a fear of death increases the likelihood of prolonged grief after a loss.

STRATEGIES TO OVERCOME THE FEAR OF DEATH

There are several tools that can help you cope with fears of dying. Here are 6 strategies that may calm death anxiety.
  1. Write your own eulogy: Thinking about how you want to be remembered can help you live a more purposeful and meaningful life. A 2019 study in BMC Geriatrics shows that having a sense of meaning in life reduces death anxiety.
Knowing what you want to accomplish helps you plan for the future. It also guides you to create the legacy you want to leave behind. Writing your eulogy is basically drafting a map for the life you want to live.
  1. Accept that death is a natural part of life. In her book Death: The Final Stage of Growth, psychiatrist Elisabeth Kübler-Ross wrote, “It is the denial of death that is partially responsible for people living empty, purposeless lives; for when you live as if you’ll live forever, it becomes too easy to postpone the things you know that you must do.”
Understanding that death is inevitable can motivate you to enjoy life to its fullest. It can provide the incentive you need to make the most of your time on earth.
  1. Create a list of what you want to accomplish during your life. Be sure to make it meaningful. Choose activities that support your values and relationships.
  1. Focus on issues that have eternal value: In addition to taking care of your health and supporting your family, spend time on things that really matter. This can help you stop sweating the small stuff.
  1. List good things about dying. Try to have a little fun with the thought of dying by writing down the benefits of dying. Here are some examples:
  1. Consider psychotherapy: People who are terrified of death may benefit from various forms of psychotherapy, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) or exposure therapy. CBT aims to alter the way you think about death and dying, so it isn’t as frightening. Exposure therapy encourages you to gradually face your fears. This may involve visiting the grave of a loved one, going to a hospital, or reading the obituaries.
Taking positive actions such as these to face your fear of dying can be very beneficial. Just imagine how much happier you would be if you could stop obsessing about dying and stay focused on living. Anxiety, phobias, and other mental health issues can’t wait. At Amen Clinics, we’re here for you. We offer in-clinic brain scanning and appointments, as well as mental telehealth, clinical evaluations, and therapy for adults, teens, children, and couples. Find out more by speaking to a specialist today at 888-288-9834 or visit our contact page here.   America is an anxious nation, with anxiety rates rising to over 35% during the pandemic. This led to a 34% increase in prescriptions for anti-anxiety medications such as benzodiazepines. That’s bad news for your brain and overall well-being, according to an explosive 2023 study. The new survey of over 1,200 people, which appeared in Plos One, found that benzos have devastating life consequences for some people, even after they stop using them.   Benzos are bad news for your brain and overall well-being, according to an explosive 2023 study.
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WHAT ARE BENZOS?

Benzodiazepines are a type of drug that enhances the effects of a neurotransmitter called gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). This neurochemical is known to have a calming effect on the brain and body. Benzos are some of the most frequently prescribed medications in the U.S., with over 30 million Americans using them in the past year. The Food and Drug Administration has approved benzodiazepine use for the treatment of a variety of conditions, including: Physicians may also prescribe benzos “off-label” for other issues, such as: Some of the different types of benzos include:

CONSEQUENCES OF USING ANTI-ANXIETY BENZOS

Benzodiazepine use is associated with several emotional, cognitive, and physical consequences that impair quality of life. The team of researchers from the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus who conducted the survey mentioned above have proposed the name benzodiazepine-induced neurological dysfunction (BIND) for these negative symptoms. The survey reveals that these consequences occur not only while taking benzos, but also continue after a person stops taking the medication. For 77% of the participants, symptoms persisted for months or more than a year after discontinuation. Symptoms associated with the use of benzos that lasted longer than one year in more than 50% of the survey respondents include: The presence of these symptoms came as no surprise to the study coauthor, cardiologist, and director of Benzodiazepine Information Coalition Christy Huff, MD. “Patients have been reporting long-term effects from benzodiazepines for over 60 years. I am one of those patients. Even though I took my medication as prescribed, I still experience symptoms on a daily basis at 4 years off benzodiazepines,” said Dr. Huff in a news release. What’s especially disturbing is that these symptoms were often new problems unrelated to the issues that led to a prescription for anti-anxiety pills. The most frequently cited reasons leading to a prescription included: However, the persistent symptoms arising while using benzos, while tapering off the drug, or after discontinuation were often different from these initial issues.

NEGATIVE LIFE IMPACTS RELATED TO THE USE OF BENZODIAZEPINES

The lasting consequences of using benzos go even further, according to the study in Plos One. More than 90% of the survey respondents said that they have experienced at least one lasting negative impact in their life due to the use of benzodiazepines. The adverse life events most often experienced due to benzo use or withdrawal included: Alarmingly, over 79% of the survey participants said they experienced between 6 and 13 adverse life impacts. For more than 53% of the respondents, benzo use or withdrawal led to 8 or more negative life issues. In terms of how much the use of benzos impacted their personal and/or work life, the vast majority said it caused “severe, quite severe, or enormous problems.” Specifically, they reported significant problems in the following areas: As you can see from these findings, these drugs can impact nearly every aspect of your life.

HOW COMMON IS BENZODIAZEPINE-INDUCED NEUROLOGICAL DYSFUNCTION?

According to the study, an estimated 20% of long-time benzo users develop BIND. These negative effects can occur while using benzos, while tapering off, or after discontinuation. As of now, it remains unclear why some people develop adverse consequences related to the use of benzos while others do not.

BENZOS AND BRAIN HEALTH CONSEQUENCES

The brain-imaging work at Amen Clinics provides additional proof that taking benzodiazepines damages the brain. Based on the Amen Clinics database of over 225,000 brain SPECT scans, it is clear that these commonly prescribed anti-anxiety medications are bad for your brain. SPECT is a brain-imaging technology that measures blood flow and activity in the brain. In a healthy brain, blood flow and activity are full, even, and symmetrical. SPECT scans of people taking benzos, however, show unhealthy brain patterns with overall low blood flow and a bumpy, scalloped appearance. This pattern on SPECT is frequently seen in the following instances: Other brain-related issues include memory problems and changes in the reward system. For example, long-term use of benzos has been associated with an increased risk of dementia, according to research. And the drugs alter the function in the reward system, making them highly addictive. A functional brain scan, such as SPECT, can be very helpful in understanding if benzodiazepine use or withdrawal is contributing to a person’s symptoms.

HOW TO STOP TAKING BENZOS

Because benzodiazepines cause so many consequences, it’s important to find a way to leave them behind. In working with tens of thousands of patients at Amen Clinics, it has become apparent that it can be very hard to stop taking them. Unfortunately, when some people attempt to discontinue use or taper off, they choose to self-medicate in other unhealthy ways. These include drinking alcohol, taking opioids, or taking other types of depressant medications. Some individuals may turn to “designer benzodiazepines,” a new class of psychoactive substances that are not approved for use in the U.S. and that have dangerous side effects. To stop taking benzos, work closely with your physician. One of the best strategies is to start incorporating natural anti-anxiety solutions to help ward off anxiousness while in the process of tapering. Anxiety, panic disorder, and other mental health issues can’t wait. At Amen Clinics, we’re here for you. We offer in-clinic brain scanning and appointments, as well as mental telehealth, clinical evaluations, and therapy for adults, teens, children, and couples. Find out more by speaking to a specialist today at 888-288-9834 or visit our contact page here. Content updated from previous publish date. Estrogen is primarily known as one of the main hormones involved in a woman’s menstrual cycle. But this neurohormone also has a strong influence on moods, emotions, and cognitive function. When estrogen is in balance with other hormones, such as progesterone, women tend to feel happy, energetic, and motivated. When there is too much estrogen in relation to progesterone, it’s a different story. This is called estrogen dominance, a condition that can make you feel anxious, depressed, irritable, and forgetful. When a woman has too much estrogen in relation to progesterone, it’s called estrogen dominance, which can make you feel anxious, irritable, and forgetful.
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BASICS ABOUT ESTROGEN

During a woman’s typical 28-day menstrual cycle, estrogen and progesterone rise and fall. When hormones are balanced, estrogen gently rises and falls twice during a cycle, while progesterone rises and falls once. In simple terms, estrogen levels are higher during the first 2 weeks of a woman’s cycle. Progesterone levels are typically higher during the second half of her cycle. The female body produces three kinds of estrogen: estrone (E1), estradiol (E2), and estriol (E3).

HOW ESTROGEN AFFECTS THE BRAIN AND MENTAL HEALTH

Estrogen affects the brain and your mental well-being in many ways. For example, research shows that estrogen influences the production of neurotransmitters, such as: Other studies have found that estrogen is involved in modulating activity in the hippocampus. This brain region is critical for healthy moods and memory.

WHAT IS ESTROGEN DOMINANCE?

When there are higher levels of estrogen in relation to progesterone, it is called estrogen dominance. This changes the normal monthly hormonal ups and downs into dramatic highs and lows. This interferes with several brain processes and can make you feel sad, anxious, or irritable. Estrogen dominance is also associated with a drop in It can progesterone and GABA, which can lead to trouble sleeping. Lack of quality sleep comes with a host of unwelcome consequences.

ESTROGEN DOMINANCE SYMPTOMS

Estrogen dominance can lead to a laundry list of symptoms. This hormonal imbalance is associated with: These symptoms of hormonal imbalance can be mild, moderate, or severe.

WHAT CAUSES ESTROGEN DOMINANCE?

There are several reasons why estrogen levels may become elevated, including: Many things can contribute to the buildup of excess estrogen, such as:

DIAGNOSING ESTROGEN DOMINANCE

If you’re struggling with symptoms of estrogen dominance, you may want to have your healthcare provider test your estrogen levels. Doctors can test all 3 types of estrogen to see if your levels are off. Based on these results and your symptoms, your doctor can recommend a treatment plan. When treating estrogen dominance, a good place to start is with lifestyle modifications.

TREATING ESTROGEN DOMINANCE

Many lifestyle changes can help reduce estrogen levels and improve your quality of life. Here are 6 natural strategies to treat estrogen dominance. Lower stress: Getting a handle on stress can be very helpful in reducing cortisol and estrogen levels. Start a stress-reduction practice that includes strategies like meditation and havening. Limit or eliminate alcohol: Cutting back on wine, beer, and cocktails can improve your liver’s ability to break down estrogen. Reduce exposure to xenoestrogens: When possible, buy organic foods. Skip plastic containers and use glass instead. Go through your cupboards and throw away household cleaners and personal care products that contain harmful chemicals. Reduce body fat (if needed): Lowering your body fat can reduce the amount of estrogen secreted by fat cells. Check with your healthcare provider to find a healthy plan to lose fat while still getting enough of the important nutrients your body needs. Support gut health: Improve your gut health by taking probiotics. Eat a high-fiber diet: Dietary fiber can improve the function of your liver, so it can metabolize estrogen more effectively. By making these lifestyle changes, you may be able to reduce excess estrogen levels. When you achieve hormonal balance, it can improve your moods, memory, and energy. If estrogen dominance symptoms—such as depression, anxiety, forgetfulness, or brain fog continue—it’s a good idea to seek help from an integrative medicine (functional medicine) professional. Look for someone who understands how neurohormones affect brain function and who takes a comprehensive brain-body approach to treatment. With a professional who will get to the root causes of your symptoms, you are more likely to find the most effective treatments. Depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues can’t wait. At Amen Clinics, we’re here for you. We offer in-clinic brain scanning and appointments, as well as mental telehealth, clinical evaluations, and therapy for adults, teens, children, and couples. Find out more by speaking to a specialist today at 888-288-9834 or visit our contact page here. The stigma around mental health disorders may be lessening, but far too many people still do not seek the help they need because of shameful feelings. They do not understand that anxiety, depression, problems with focus or memory, and other mental health issues are, in fact, very common, normal occurrences. How normal? More than 50% of the world’s population will experience a mental health issue at some point in their lifetime, according to data from the World Health Organization.   More than 50% of the world’s population will experience a mental health issue at some point in their lifetime.
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That figure is greater than the number of Americans who will experience heart disease during their lifetime, yet heart disease is not hidden under a cloak of shame and misunderstanding like mental health disorders are. Your brain can have problems just like your heart can.  People who have a family history of heart health issues, too much visceral fat, or blood pressure that’s too high will see a doctor and make changes because they don’t want to have a heart attack.  For mental wellness, it’s important to take similar measures to support and protect your brain health. The cost of failing to do so is great. In addition to causing personal distress, fractured relationships, isolation, and poor quality of life, the National Alliance of Mental Illness (NAMI) reports that untreated mental health issues can lead to unnecessary disability, job loss, substance abuse, homelessness, inappropriate incarceration, and suicide.

HOW COMMON ARE MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES?

In today’s post-pandemic world with widening political divisions, inflation rising, deep concerns about the future of our planet, greater isolation due to social media and other factors, poor diet, and stressful lifestyles, mental health issues are more common than ever before. In fact, surprisingly, improving mental health was the top new year’s resolution for 2023. According to a Forbes survey, 45% of respondents made improved mental health one of their top resolutions—above weight loss, improved diet, more exercise, and improved finances—marking a seismic shift in the value placed on mental well-being. Just three years earlier, mental health was fifth after improved finances, diet, exercise, and weight loss, according to data. What’s more, young people value mental health even more. In the Forbes survey, 51% of Gen Z respondents placed improved mental health at the top of their list.

OVERVIEW OF MENTAL HEALTH IN AMERICA

Indeed, Americans are likely prioritizing mental health because so many of us are struggling with it.  Here’s a snapshot of key findings from the 2021 Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration survey:

General Mental Illness

Depressive Episode

Suicide

Substance Abuse

Anxiety and Depression

Additionally, new survey research updated in March 2023 found remarkably high rates of anxiety and depression in adults. Even though we have more mental health awareness than ever and mental health issues are so prevalent, more than half of people with mental illness don’t get the help they need according to a 2022 report from Mental Health America.  It may be time to transform the way we think about mental health struggles.

SMART PEOPLE SEEK HELP FOR MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES

If you’re having trouble with your mental well-being—whether it’s your negative thinking, stress, anxiety, low self-esteem, self-harm, substance use, addictive behavior, sleeplessness, mood, motivation, focus, or memory—consider letting go of the false idea that you’re not normal and get the help you need. It’s a bright person who seeks help, not a weak one. Imagine you’re an entrepreneur with a struggling business. Wouldn’t you seek the advice of the smartest consultant you could find to help you? Failing to get expert advice might mean losing your business—or worse—bankruptcy. Prolonged, needless mental suffering serves no one. Seeking the best mental health support you can find is smart. When you seek support and discover there are many others who struggle with mental health issues too, isolation, shame, and pain diminishes.

MENTAL HEALTH IS BRAIN HEALTH

Looking at mental health through the prism of brain health can be supremely useful for proactively taking charge of your mental well-being. Few people want to be labeled defective or abnormal. Seeing mental health issues as brain health issues shifts the focus in a constructive way. With our brain SPECT imaging work at Amen Clinics, people can see their brains, and they begin to see that mental health is a medical issue, not a moral one. Looking at mental health as a brain health issue lessens shame and guilt, increases self-acceptance, and promotes forgiveness, compassion, and greater understanding among an individual’s family and friends too. It’s also more accurate to acknowledge mental health is a brain issue, which elevates hope and stokes the desire to get help and make the necessary lifestyle changes. It’s profoundly empowering when an individual begins to see that the brain is in charge of everything, and taking good care of it will help improve not just mental health, but life in general. Mental health issues can’t wait. At Amen Clinics, we’re here for you. We offer in-clinic brain scanning and appointments, as well as mental telehealth, clinical evaluations, and therapy for adults, teens, children, and couples. Find out more by speaking to a specialist today at 888-288-9834 or visit our contact page here.   Do you have trouble concentrating? Do you feel restless? Do you get tired easily? You (and your healthcare provider) may think these are signs of ADD/ADHD, which affects an estimated 4.4% of American adults. But these same symptoms can also be signs of stress and anxiety, which impact about 40 million Americans aged 18 and older. Getting misdiagnosed or treated for the wrong condition can make things worse. How can you tell if it’s stress and anxiety or ADD/ADHD, or both?   Misdiagnosing ADD/ADHD for anxiety and vice versa can lead physicians to treat the wrong area of the brain.
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WHAT IS ADD/ADHD?

Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), formerly called attention-deficit disorder (ADD), is a neurodevelopmental disorder that is marked by problems with attention and a range of behavioral issues. It is characterized by unhealthy activity in the brain’s prefrontal cortex (PFC) located just behind the forehead. The prefrontal cortex is involved with forethought, planning, judgment, impulse control, and more. Brain SPECT imaging shows that ADD/ADHD is associated with low activity in the PFC. SPECT measures blood flow and activity in the brain and reveals 3 things: areas with healthy activity, too much activity, or too little activity. On SPECT scans, when people with ADD/ADHD try to concentrate, activity in the PFC decreases. This means the harder they try, the worse it gets. In people who don’t have the condition, PFC activity increases during concentration. One of the biggest myths about ADD/ADHD is that it is a single or simple disorder. In fact, the brain SPECT imaging work at Amen Clinics has helped identify 7 types of ADD/ADHD. The hallmark symptoms seen in all 7 types of the condition are: Note that hyperactivity is not a core symptom, as it is not seen in all 7 types.

WHAT ARE STRESS AND ANXIETY?

Stress and anxiety can develop at any age and are characterized by feelings of anxiousness, nervousness, and overwhelm. On SPECT scans, anxiety is associated with overactivity in the brain, specifically in the basal ganglia and amygdala. The basal ganglia are important structures that are involved in motivation, drive, and setting the body’s anxiety level. The amygdala, an older part of the brain in evolutionary terms, is involved in emotional and fear responses. It plays a role in our fight-or-flight response in the face of danger or threats to our safety. Just like ADD/ADHD, anxiety is not a singular disorder. SPECT scans reveal that there are 7 types of anxiety and depression. Anxiety alone is mainly characterized by: Anxiety can trigger symptoms associated with ADD/ADHD. When the basal ganglia and amygdala are overactive, they can override the higher-functioning skills of the PFC. In particular, the amygdala—part of our so-called “reptilian brain”—operates primarily by instinct to avert threats whether they are real or perceived. To prioritize safety in these instances, the amygdala takes over, shutting down executive functions in the PFC and causing people with anxiety disorder to be unable to focus. When anxiousness and fear are nearly constant, it can lead to many of the symptoms seen in ADD/ADHD.

OVERLAPPING ANXIETY AND ADD/ADHD SYMPTOMS

One of the primary reasons why stress and anxiety may be confused for ADD/ADHD is that they have some similar symptoms. Overlapping symptoms include: These symptoms can be a sign of either disorder or may occur when a person has both conditions.

CO-OCCURRING ANXIETY AND ADD/ADHD

There is a strong connection between stress and anxiety and ADD/ADHD. As many as half of all people who have ADD/ADHD have one or more comorbid anxiety disorders, according to a National Institutes of Health study. “Knowledge of the neural pathways underlying the combined presence of ADHD and anxiety may aid in a better understanding of their co-occurrence,” the authors wrote. This is why functional brain imaging with SPECT can be so powerful in helping distinguish anxiety from ADD/ADHD or in identifying co-existing disorders. By seeing the brain patterns of low and/or high activity in different areas of the brain, physicians can make more accurate diagnoses and provide more effective treatments. At Amen Clinics, when these two disorders are co-occurring it is considered one of the 7 types of ADD/ADHD and is called Anxious ADD/ADHD. This type includes the core symptoms of ADD/ADHD in addition to:

THE CONSEQUENCES OF MISDIAGNOSED ANXIETY OR ADD/ADHD

Being misdiagnosed with anxiety when you actually have ADD/ADHD, or vice versa, can worsen your condition. For example, taking stimulant medication or other ADD/ADHD solutions intended to stimulate the brain can be helpful for those with the condition, but these same therapies can exacerbate issues in someone with an overactive, anxious brain. Similarly, treatment protocols intended to calm an overactive brain are generally beneficial for those with anxiety, but in those with ADD/ADHD, they further decrease activity in the PFC and can worsen symptoms.

TREATING ANXIETY AND ADD/ADHD

Given the complexity of teasing out the differences between the disorders, seek out a mental health professional who understands that anxiety disorders and ADD/ADHD are brain-based disorders. And look for someone who is also thoroughly versed in recognizing and working with people who struggle with both conditions. Getting an accurate diagnosis is the key to finding the most effective treatment so you can feel calmer, more focused, and more in control of your life. Anxiety, ADD/ADHD, and other mental health issues can’t wait. At Amen Clinics, we’re here for you. We offer in-clinic brain scanning and appointments, as well as mental telehealth, clinical evaluations, and therapy for adults, teens, children, and couples. Find out more by speaking to a specialist today at 888-288-9834 or visit our contact page here.