Anxiety: Overcoming the Jumpy Mind

Your body is functionally equipped with a response system that handles emergencies, called the “fight or flight” system. It is triggered by the sudden release of adrenaline in the bloodstream that drives your heart to beat and your blood to surge faster to generate energy quickly. This response system is useful in a dangerous situation. It will make you reflexively escape a threat without thinking, and run away faster than you normally would.

However, if this system misfires when there is no danger, frequently or intensely, your emotional health can suffer. You can experience restlessness and a “jumpy” mind. This is anxiety.

Restlessness: Labeling the Feeling

Restlessness is an emotional reaction that can indicate mild anxiety and can be expressed by breathing heavily, agitation, and not being able to stay calm. The feeling is familiar, as it happens to most people before a performance, an exam, or an interview. It makes it difficult for you to sit still. The feeling usually dissipates as the adrenaline in the blood returns to normal levels.

There are occasions, however, when the anxious feeling stays, even when there is no justifiable reason. It can cause an overpowering emotion within that you can’t explain, making you pace back and forth, shake your arms, or wring your hands.

If this happens once in a while, there is no need to worry. If this is happening repeatedly or it is becoming intense, however, you need to seek help to assess your symptoms before they start to disturb your everyday life.

Anxiety: Result of a Faulty System

Anxiety can be indicated by a number of symptoms and complicated by several causes or contributing factors. One of those symptoms is restlessness. According to Calm Clinic, “The cause of restlessness is very clear: a constant surge of adrenaline as a response to the fight or flight system.”

Restlessness is a reaction to the surging of adrenaline. While there is a positive use for adrenaline as a generator of energy to escape from danger, if you have anxiety, your fight-or-flight response is always on, even when there is no real emergency. You may not be escaping or defending yourself against anything or anyone, but there is so much adrenaline being pumped into your bloodstream that your body has no choice but to use it up, producing restlessness and other symptoms.

The Dangers of Restlessness

When your body is flooded with adrenaline, you become restless and your mind is jumpy. The racing thoughts and feelings it generates can be scary. Your mind may dwell on frightening things or events that do not really exist, making you jittery and edgy, thinking that something awful is about to happen. It can affect your performance at work or school. It can also disturb your relationships and wreak havoc on your health.

Restlessness may also be a sign of other emotional or medical conditions. Healthline says it can be triggered by work or school stress, grief, feeling ill, burnout, or peer pressure. Medically, it can be an indication of a hormonal imbalance, an abnormal growth or tumor in the brain, autism, or another kind of emotional condition.

Let Your Mind and Body Rest

While the fight-or-flight response has a functional application, constant anxiety is not good for your mind or body. If it is negatively affecting your work/studies, relationships, physical and emotional health, and day-to-day life, it is best to seek professional assistance. Prevent it from getting worse or becoming a barrier in your life: seek help from Carolina Counseling Services – Fayetteville (West), NC Office.

Anxiety and its symptoms such as restlessness and agitation are treatable with therapy. There is no need to feel restless or lose focus on important matters and bear the brunt of the consequences. Don’t let these negative feelings rule your life. Call Carolina Counseling Services – Fayetteville (West), NC Office, so your condition can be assessed and your symptoms managed. One of the independently contracted therapists can work with you to help you achieve an enjoyable life free from anxiety.

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