"Anxiety symptoms can be terrifying, frustrating and overwhelming, but NOT harmful...
The information you are about to read is the most important information and solution to anxiety disorders and it's symptoms that I have ever come across.
The treatment of anxiety disorders and symptoms isn't complex; in fact it's very simple. I never thought it was possible that a disorder like anxiety that is considered to be so complex can be cured so simply - now I help people become 100% anxiety free."
Jenny Saunders BSc, MSc Psychologist
First of all, please let me be clear on this. The sensations and thoughts you experience during high anxiety are NOT anxiety 'symptoms' at all, but the normal, expected physical reactions to high anxiety (the emotion of fear).
Symptoms are signs of illness... you are NOT ill. For ease, however, I will continue to call these thoughts and sensations symptoms. Anxiety symptoms are the result of an abnormal increase in the levels of adrenaline in the blood, which sets off a 'chain reaction' of normal, but inappropriate, bodily functions.
Anxiety symptoms can affect a sufferer both physically and emotionally, but it is important to note that none of these anxiety symptoms represents a threat to a sufferer. Anxiety symptoms are caused by an exaggerated emotional response, which is controlled by the subconscious mind. The Amygdala assists in controlling anxiety levels.
Firstly, there is a psycho-physiological (physical) component, which produces anxiety symptoms such as palpitations (racing heart), breathlessness, dizziness and sweating. This component produces anxiety symptoms which affect us on a purely physiological level and are mostly as a direct result of adrenalin released during the 'fight or fight' response.
Secondly, there is a psychological component, characterised by anxiety symptoms such as irritability, obsessions, loss of concentration and deep feelings of fear. These anxiety symptoms may be constant, or may be more intense during an anxiety attack (panic attack). Like the physiological anxiety symptoms, these are harmless, but they can make the sufferer feel helpless and desperate.
Thirdly, there may be an interpersonal component featuring an inclination to cling to other people for reassurance. Because anxiety symptoms cause such a vast range of sensations and thoughts, the sufferer often withdraws socially in order to protect themselves from potentially anxiety-provoking situations and stimuli. This can cause agoraphobia, a condition, which is commonly referred to as a 'stand alone' condition as opposed to an anxiety symptom.
Agoraphobia, like all anxiety conditions, disappears as the anxiety level is reduced during recovery. None of our clients remain agoraphobic after recovery is completed.
Smothering sensations and shortness of breath
Racing heart, slow heart beat, palpitations
Globus Hystericus - 'Lump in throat' and difficulty swallowing
Blanching (colour loss in the skin)
Excessive Perspiration (sweating)
Shaking or shivering (visibly or internally)
Pain or numbness in the head, face, arms, neck or shoulders
Rapid gastric emptying
Indigestion, heartburn, constipation and diarrhoea
Symptoms of urinary tract infection
Increased need to urinate
Weakness/tingling in arms, hands or feet
'Electric shock' feelings (anywhere in the body)
Fears of going mad or losing control
Increased depression and suicidal feelings
Symptoms like 'flu'
Headaches and feelings of having a 'tight band around head'
'Creeping' or 'pins and needles' sensations in the skin
Increased sensitivity to light, sound, touch, and smell
Dramatic increase in sexual feelings
Pain in the face or jaw (resembling toothache)
Derealisation and Depersonalisation
OCD - Obsessive thoughts and compulsions
Pure O - Inappropriate/strange thoughts