Anxiety and pain are the primary drivers of medical visits, as well as two of the more complicated symptoms to break down in a meaningful way. In this mini-episode, Dr. H presents the metaphor of "below the neck" vs "above the neck" anxiety to help us think about anxiety in a way that might better guide diagnosis and treatment. "Above the neck" anxiety emanates from the ruminating/imagining/obsessing/spin-cycle brain, while "below the neck" anxiety is the body's fight/flight response, with adrenaline coursing through the body to send the blaring smoke alarm signal of impending danger...even where there is no apparent immediate threat.

It matters greatly whether anxiety initially sparks from above or below, and the failure to pinpoint the source can lead to treatment failure and prolonged suffering.  Obsessional/ruminative anxiety responds best to mindfulness meditation, cognitive therapy, and SSRIs; somatic/adrenaline anxiety requires interventions such as biofeedback, (intensive) aerobic exercise, meditation, beta blockers, and the various somatic trauma therapies (EMDR, somatic experiencing, Hakomi). Benzodiazepines address both types, but at significant potential cost.

Dr. H
https://www.craigheacockmd.com

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