Anxiety – What’s Happening Inside the Brain
We all feel anxious from time to time — it’s part of being human. But when anxiety starts to take over daily life, leaving you constantly on edge or exhausted, it can feel frightening and confusing.
Understanding what’s happening inside your brain can help you make sense of your experience — and that’s the first step toward easing it.
Why Anxiety Exists in the First Place
Anxiety isn’t your enemy. It’s your brain’s way of trying to keep you safe.
Thousands of years ago, our ancestors needed a built-in alarm system to survive. When danger appeared — a wild animal or a threat from another tribe — the brain would trigger the fight, flight or freeze response.
That same system still exists today. The difference is that modern-day dangers are usually not life-threatening — things like work stress, money worries, or relationship conflict.
Yet your brain cannot always tell the difference.
What Happens Inside the Brain
When you feel anxious, a small part of your brain called the amygdala sounds the alarm.
The amygdala’s job is to spot potential threats and keep you alert. It sends a message to your hypothalamus, which then releases stress hormones like adrenaline and cortisol.
These chemicals make your heart race, your muscles tense, and your breathing quicken — preparing you to fight or run.
At the same time, another part of the brain — the prefrontal cortex, responsible for logical thinking — becomes less active.
This is why, when you’re anxious, it’s so hard to “think straight” or calm yourself with logic. Your body is doing exactly what it’s designed to do: survive.
Why It Feels So Overwhelming
If your brain’s alarm system is constantly switched on, you might find it hard to relax even when nothing dangerous is happening.
Everyday stresses can start to feel like threats. You might notice:
- Racing thoughts or difficulty sleeping
- Feeling constantly on edge or jumpy
- Digestive problems or tightness in the chest
- Difficulty concentrating or remembering things
Your body hasn’t failed you — it’s just stuck in survival mode.
How Counselling Can Help
Counselling helps you retrain your brain to feel safe again.
By exploring your triggers, understanding your body’s responses, and learning techniques to calm the nervous system, you can begin to reduce the power anxiety holds over you.
With time, your prefrontal cortex—the calm, thinking part of your brain —can start to regain control, helping you respond rather than react.
You don’t have to live with constant anxiety. Support is available, and change is absolutely possible.
Anxiety Counselling in Maidstone
If anxiety is affecting your relationships, work, or daily life, you don’t have to face it alone.
I offer individual counselling online or in-person, to help you understand your anxiety and develop tools to manage it in a healthy, sustainable way.
You’re welcome to book a free 15-minute discovery call to see if we’re a good fit to work together.
Contact me here or email hello@christinarichardscounselling.com
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