Anxiety
At Clarity Brain and Body Clinic, we understand the significant impact that anxiety can have on daily life. While we do not diagnose or treat clinical anxiety, we often find that functional neurology treatments can be an excellent addition to traditional anxiety care. Our approach focuses on addressing underlying neurological factors that may contribute to anxiety symptoms, offering a comprehensive and multidisciplinary approach to better manage and reduce anxiety.
How Functional Neurology Can Complement Anxiety Treatment
At Clarity Brain and Body Clinic we take a collaborative, multidisciplinary approach to care, working alongside traditional therapists, such as psychologists and counselors, to provide holistic support for those struggling with anxiety. Functional neurology focuses on restoring proper brain function, which can play a key role in regulating emotions and mitigating anxiety symptoms.
Many people with anxiety also experience disruptions in their vestibular and proprioceptive systems—two essential components of our sensory systems that help us understand where we are in space. If these systems are not functioning properly, it can create a sense of disorientation and unease, which can trigger or worsen anxiety. By improving the functioning of these systems through targeted exercises and treatments, we can help reduce feelings of anxiety and promote a sense of stability and safety.
Just because you have Anxiety Doesn’t Mean Your Neurological Symptoms Are
“All in Your Head”
It’s common for people experiencing both anxiety and neurological symptoms to feel misunderstood or dismissed, often hearing that their symptoms are simply "in their head." However, anxiety and neurological conditions are deeply interconnected, and experiencing anxiety
does not invalidate or minimize the realness of your neurological symptoms.
Anxiety can manifest as physical symptoms such as dizziness, headaches, muscle tension, digestive issues, and heart palpitations. These physical symptoms are not imaginary—they are real and can be attributed to the body’s autonomic nervous system response. The autonomic nervous system, which regulates involuntary bodily functions such as heart rate and digestion, can be significantly impacted by both neurological and psychological stressors. When anxiety is present, it can disrupt the balance of this system, exacerbating other neurological symptoms.
Likewise, many neurological conditions that involve the brain, nervous system, and sensory systems—such as vestibular disorders, chronic pain, concussion, POTS, and dysautonomia—can trigger or worsen anxiety. For example, dizziness caused by vestibular dysfunction or the chronic fatigue of POTS can lead to feelings of helplessness and fear, which further contribute to anxiety. These conditions are physical and measurable, not purely psychological.
The Mind-Body Connection
At Clarity Brain and Body Clinic, we recognize that the mind and body are deeply interconnected. Neurological symptoms and anxiety often coexist because the brain and nervous system are intricately linked. The physical symptoms of anxiety, as well as the neurological issues you may be experiencing, deserve to be treated with the same level of care and attention. Both aspects are important pieces of the puzzle that must be addressed to achieve optimal health and well-being.
Functional neurology treatments focus on improving the communication and function of the nervous system, recognizing that neurological and psychological health are mutually influential. Addressing the neurological foundations of anxiety-related symptoms can help reduce overall anxiety and restore a sense of balance to the body and mind.
Your Symptoms Are Real
Experiencing both anxiety and neurological symptoms doesn’t mean that you are imagining or exaggerating your feelings. At Clarity Brain and Body Clinic, we provide a holistic, evidence-based approach that recognizes the legitimacy of your symptoms, whether they are psychological, neurological, or both. By combining functional neurology with traditional anxiety care, we work to address your symptoms and help you regain control of your health, without judgment or dismissal.
Vestibular & Proprioceptive Systems Link to Anxiety
The vestibular system, located in the inner ear, helps us maintain balance and spatial awareness. When this system is compromised, it can lead to symptoms such as dizziness, vertigo, and a feeling of being ungrounded, which can often provoke or exacerbate anxiety. Similarly, proprioception refers to the body’s ability to sense its position in space. If there is dysfunction in this system, it can cause difficulty with coordination and a sense of being "out of sync" with the environment, which can contribute to anxiety symptoms.
Through specific functional neurology techniques, we can target and retrain these systems to improve their function, helping to reduce anxiety and improve overall sense of well-being.
The Sympathetic Nervous System & Anxiety
The sympathetic nervous system plays a crucial role in the body’s stress response. Often referred to as the "fight or flight" system, the sympathetic nervous system is responsible for triggering the body’s reaction to perceived threats or danger. This response is natural and vital for survival, but when it becomes overactive or dysregulated, it can contribute significantly to anxiety.
In individuals with anxiety, the sympathetic nervous system can become overstimulated, causing a constant state of heightened alertness or nervousness. This persistent activation can lead to physical symptoms such as:
Increased heart rate
Rapid breathing
Muscle tension
Sweating
Brain fog
Chronic fatigue
Digestive issues
The overactivation of the sympathetic nervous system can also interfere with the body’s ability to relax, making it harder to shift into the parasympathetic nervous system—the “rest and digest” system that promotes calm and recovery. When the balance between the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems are disrupted, it can perpetuate feelings of anxiety, restlessness, and an inability to feel at ease.
How Functional Neurology Can Help Regulate the Sympathetic Nervous System
At Clarity Brain and Body Clinic, we focus on optimizing nervous system regulation by targeting the underlying factors that contribute to sympathetic nervous system overactivation. By improving the balance between the sympathetic and parasympathetic systems, functional neurology treatment can help reduce anxiety symptoms and promote a healthier, more balanced stress response. This approach, when combined with traditional therapies, can create a comprehensive plan to manage anxiety.
Common Neurological Conditions with Anxiety Symptoms
Anxiety is often present as a symptom in several neurological conditions that we treat. Click on the links below to explore more about an individual condition:
POTS (Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome):
This condition, often characterized by an abnormal increase in heart rate upon standing, can lead to dizziness, fatigue, and anxiety. The body's dysregulation of autonomic functions can provoke feelings of unease, making anxiety management a key component of treatment.
This disorder affects the autonomic nervous system and can cause symptoms such as dizziness, heart palpitations, and anxiety. By addressing the dysregulation in the nervous system, we can help improve the body’s response to stress and reduce anxiety.
For those experiencing persistent symptoms after a COVID-19 infection, anxiety can often be a secondary symptom, alongside fatigue, brain fog, and sensory disturbances. Addressing the neurological factors contributing to these symptoms can be helpful in managing anxiety.
Conditions such as vestibular migraines, PPPD, or benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) often cause dizziness, balance issues, and vertigo, which can lead to or worsen anxiety. Treating the underlying vestibular dysfunction can help reduce both physical and psychological symptoms.
Concussion & TBI:
After a head injury, one of the underrecognized categories of symptoms are mood disruptions. Concussions and TBIs can result in personality changes, anxiety, and depression due to both physiological changes and psychological aspects of brain injuries.
Chronic Pain and Fibromyalgia:
Chronic pain conditions can significantly impact mental health, with anxiety being a common co-occurring symptom. These conditions often involve central nervous system sensitization, where the brain starts processing pain signals abnormally, leading to heightened pain, stress, and anxiety.
Our Multidisciplinary Approach
At Clarity Brain and Body Clinic, we believe that a collaborative approach is key to achieving the best outcomes. While functional neurology focuses on optimizing brain function and restoring balance in the nervous system, we frequently co-treat with traditional therapists who specialize in anxiety management. This ensures that our patients receive a well-rounded, integrative approach that addresses both the physical and emotional aspects of anxiety.
A Personalized Approach to Anxiety
If you are experiencing anxiety and suspect there may be an underlying neurological component, we invite you to schedule a free discovery call. We will work closely with you and your existing care team to create a tailored treatment plan that integrates functional neurology techniques with traditional anxiety management strategies.
Take control of your health and well-being today with our holistic, multidisciplinary approach to anxiety. Contact us to learn more about how functional neurology can support your journey toward better mental and physical health.