Anxiety Including Medical And Dental Anxiety

Do you feel like anxiety is your constant companion, whispering doubts and fears into your ear?

An invisible force that leaves others perplexed about your need for control; unable to understand the limitations around what you can and can’t do.

You are sometimes embarrassed about how reactive you can be in certain situations. 

How many times have you wished for a moment of peace, free from the tight grip of panic and worry?

Do you find yourself lying awake at night, besieged by thoughts you can’t seem to escape? 

You are using coping strategies that were necessary to keep you safe at some point in your life but are no longer helping you. You want to be free to live your life on your own terms instead of being controlled by your thoughts and reactions. 

Anxiety often starts with the experiences we internalize early in life. Whether through experiences, what we see from others, or how we’re taught to respond to fear, anxiety takes root and becomes a familiar narrative in our lives. These responses can be about safety, control, or even simple daily interactions, but when they go unaddressed, they can profoundly impact our adult lives, showing up in places like our work, relationships, health, or even trips to the doctor or dentist.

Some people grow up learning healthy ways to cope with fear and uncertainty. They are taught to face challenges with confidence, knowing it’s okay to feel anxious at times but also knowing how to manage those feelings. These early messages lead to a healthier response to stress, enabling a more balanced way of navigating the ups and downs of life. Whether it’s work-related stress or fear of the unknown, these individuals have the tools to manage their emotions without feeling overwhelmed.

For others, the stories about anxiety they grow up with are far more restrictive. They may have been taught, directly or indirectly, that the world is dangerous, that their emotions are out of control, or that fear is something to avoid at all costs. These messages can lead to heightened or chronic anxiety, impacting everything from social interactions to medical appointments. For instance, if you witnessed a parent being fearful at the dentist or experienced a painful procedure yourself, you might carry that anxiety into adulthood.

Some common limiting anxiety stories include:

  • Fear of the unknown, believing that something bad will happen if you’re not constantly vigilant.
  • A sense of powerlessness, feeling like you have no control over situations that cause you fear.
  • Avoidance, believing that staying away from anxiety-inducing situations, like medical or dental visits, will keep you safe.
  • Embarrassment or shame about feeling anxious, which can make you hide your fear rather than addressing it.

These deeply ingrained beliefs can lead to avoidance behaviors, health issues due to fear of doctors or dentists, and constant underlying stress that takes a toll on your overall well-being.

These anxiety stories don’t stay confined to childhood; they follow us into adulthood and often become part of our daily lives:

  • Work or social anxiety: You might find it difficult to speak up in meetings, feel overwhelmed in social situations, or constantly worry about being judged.
  • Health-related anxiety: Fear of medical or dental procedures can cause people to avoid essential check-ups, leading to untreated health issues or escalating concerns.
  • Generalized anxiety: A constant state of worry that affects your ability to relax, sleep, or focus, making everyday life feel overwhelming.

Even if you recognize that your anxiety may not be rational, it can still feel very real and powerful. Left unaddressed, these anxiety stories can limit your life and keep you from fully engaging in the world.

Brainspotting is particularly helpful for those anxiety patterns that seem unshakable, such as social or generalized anxiety or fear of medical or dental appointments.

Through Brainspotting, you can:

  • Release the tight grip of anxiety
  • Stop intrusive thoughts that constantly fill your brain
  • Release old fear patterns tied to specific situations, such as medical or dental anxiety.
  • Rewire your brain’s response to anxiety, shifting from fear to calm.
  • Gain confidence in handling stressful situations, reducing avoidance and empowering you to take control of your health and well-being.
  • Feel more at ease in everyday situations, from work meetings to social events, without being held back by constant worry.
  • Prepare for upcoming medical or dental procedures that have you terrified, or recover from those that happened in the past
  • Determine if you are actually doing much better than you’ll allow yourself to think

By reprocessing these anxiety responses, you can reduce the power they have over your life and begin to live with a greater sense of peace and control.

If you’re ready to stop letting anxiety dictate your life—whether it’s general anxiety or specific fears like medical or dental anxiety—Brainspotting could be the breakthrough you need. Contact me to learn more about how we can work together to release your anxiety and help you regain control over your life.

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