How brainspotting helps heal anxiety.

Brainspotting is an advanced therapy for overcoming negative emotions, healing traumatic experiences and rebalancing the nervous system. The process involves identifying, processing and releasing stored trauma and emotional stress with the help of a certified Brainspotting therapist. It is one of the few techniques that effectively addresses the root cause of psychological stress and emotional trauma. This is a primary reason why Brainspotting is so effective at treating PTSD, depression, anxiety, addictions and many other stress-related and mental health challenges. If you feel like you have plateaued in your healing or are not finding relief in other approaches, Brainspotting offers new possibilities for breakthrough.

Fear, terror, dread, uneasy, edgy, irritability, hypervigilance, overwhelm, fear of death, generalized anxiety, panic, excessive worry, rumination and obsessing

Racing thoughts, catastrophic thinking, fear of death or thoughts about death, obsessing about losing control, hypochondriac self-doubt and difficulty concentrating, focusing, making decisions or remembering

Gastrointestinal issues, low energy or wired with high energy, muscle tension, heart palpitations, shortness of breath, shallow breathing, nausea, headaches, palms sweaty, heart racing, stomach ache and dizziness

Appetite changes – losing weight, gaining weight or craving foods

Avoiding social interactions and risky and self-destructive behaviors such as excessive drinking, using drugs, gambling, driving fast and promiscuity

Sleep disturbance – too much sleep or too little sleep and nightmares

Developing phobias and fears such as driving, heights, small spaces and feeling detached from one’s body or sense of self

Disassociation and pessimism

Staying at home to limit social interactions or fearful of going outside, over attachment to a safe person, place or thing that feels safe, impulsivity, nail biting, self-harm, talk fast and loudly, can’t speak and picking at one’s body or skin

Constipation or diarrhea, frequent urination, trembling, shaking, stomach cramps, pins and needles, chills, hot flashes, numb, buzzing, sensory sensitivity such as lights, noises, scents, bright colors, crowds, teeth /jaw grinding, fainting, changes in body temperature and choking feeling

A pattern of anxiety where excessive worry is experienced in many aspects of a person’s life such as finances, health, relationships, driving, work and other issues. The anxiety reaction to these issues is disproportionate, catastrophic or generally unwarranted to actual situations. Worry is experienced more days than not for a period of 6 months and the individual has three or more additional clinically significant symptoms such as restlessness, irritability or sleep disturbance.

Panic Disorder is characterized by recurring panic attacks. A panic attack is a sudden feeling of extreme fear and discomfort that reach its peak within several minutes. Four additional criteria must be met such as trembling, heart palpitations, shaking, feelings of choking, fear of death, nausea, dizziness or chest pain. As well, one of the panic attacks must be followed by a month of extreme worry about having another panic attack.

A pattern of anxiety related to social situations and the fear of being judged, ridiculed, rejected, or negatively evaluated in some way by others. Extreme anxiety about upcoming social events and avoidance of social situations are common. This may include job interviews, parties, dinners, holidays, going shopping or other important events.

A pattern of anxiety where unwanted and intrusive thoughts are obsessed over and relief is found temporarily in compulsively carrying out a specific act. The compulsive act is intended to relieve the pressure and anxiety caused by the distressing obsessive thoughts.

Mind body approaches are fundamental to treating anxiety. Given anxiety has a primary physical component, brain informed, or body-based therapies have been shown to be essential in reducing symptoms of anxiety. In many cases these treatments far surpass traditional approaches. Meditation, mindfulness, diaphragmatic breathing practices and other relaxation techniques are often considered the hub of most mind body approaches. Brainspotting, EMDR, somatic therapy, parts therapy, hypnosis, visualization, energy psychology and biofeedback are several science-based strategies for decreasing anxiety.

There is a wealth of integrative medical approaches that many people find to be great alternatives or additions to medications. This may include acupuncture, herbs, CBD, essential oils, pet therapy, music therapy, homeopathy, amino acid and nutritional supplementation and a host of other natural methods to healing and rebalancing mind and body.

Regular exercise, yoga, regular exercise, adequate sleep, spending time in nature, social support and healthy nutrition habits have been well researched as vital components of a healthy lifestyle that decrease anxiety. 

Many people who experience chronic anxiety or have ever had a panic attack, have either had trauma in their history or feel trauma from having anxiety. We have found Brainspotting, somatic therapy and other methods that directly address the underlying trauma are a vital component of healing anxiety.