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Picture of an Anxious Brain
The brain, to my mind, is the final frontier that is still being explored and with each exploration we learn more of its incredible secrets. The latest finding on social phobia is brought to us through SPECT (single-photon emission computed tomography) scans which have now verified the biological basis of this problem. We know that two specific neurotransmitters (serotonin and dopamine) seem to be related to the disorder and a small study in Europe has now confirmed an imbalance in the functioning of these chemicals in the brain. The study was published in the May issue of the Journal of Nuclear Medicine. Some 15 million adults in the US suffer from social anxiety disorder.The researchers point out that this is an important first step to making a connection between the disorder and a biological basis for it. They do, however, caution that they can't say whether the people in the sample had the imbalance prior to the appearance of the disorder. So it would seem that this is yet another example supporting a biologic, genetic, environmental basis for some anxiety disorders and to treat them as medical disorders.
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Image Credit: SNM.org
Technorati Tags: SPECT, social phobia, neurotransmitters, anxiety, imaging
39 Comments:
I have an opposing theory. Since they have no "pre" scan, it can't be determined here whether it's a chicken or an egg thing. My theory is that the brain is lowering it's level of neurotransmitters on it's own and on purpose. It is my theory that this is the brains way of protecting itself from whatever is truly causing the anxiety. This theory is reinforced by the fact that by simply boosting neurotransmitters through the use of SSRI's doesn't help all or even a majority of panic patients. If it were just a matter of low levels of these transmitters, this shouldn't be the case. It is also telling that many anxiety and panic patients suffer MORE attacks and anxiety when first starting or switching SSRI's. By taking an SSRI, one is defeating the brains self defense mechanism and causing more aggravation to the brain. In other words, lowered neurotransmitters are a SYMPTOM of the anxiety disorder, which in turn is caused by some other underlying biological mechanism. I would suggest taking a look and the 16 or so medical studies that link panic/anxiety to an underlying cerabellar/vestibular nexus.
Dear Anonymous,
I would love to hear everything you know about the cerabellar/vestibular nexus being possibly involved GAD. Can this explain why GAD is worse in the winter?
Thanks,
I want my life back!
hi. Iben on xanax for manny years will this medication affet me in the future. is the only one thad I get help on my atacks. t. y. Afonso Acevedo Brooklyn new york
I take zoloft for anxiety and panic attacks it works great.
I have ben dealing with anxiety and panic for 13 yrs. I am now taking zolof,clonazapam,and trilepal.I can't say that I'm better. I still suffer from the symtoms of depression and anxiety. I would like to have my life back what ever that is.If anyone has any suggestions, I am more than open. I want to beat this
I have been taking xanax 0.5 mg, once a day for 15 years along with an antidepressant for a chemical imbalance. I have just recently went up to 1 mg. daily of xanax. I noticed that any sleeping meds,local anesthetics,or pain medications does not do anything for me. I was wondering if taking xanax for so many years may be the cause of this?
I started having panic attacks and anxiety 10 yrs ago. Take lorazapam when needed.Been to affraid to try other drugs due to side affects. I cant live have big ideas but cant get there. Im so sick of fighting everyday. Tryed so much of other options, They really scare me. Am I not getting it, am I missing something. Any ideas?
I wish they could zap whatever portion of my brain makes me feel anxious. I also want my life back. I used to travel and have lots of fun. Now, I really don't know what I am anxious about. I only take Xanax as needed. I have went years without it, then BAM, the anxiety hits me again. Therapy and Joyce Meyer's book, Battlefield of the Mind, help me also.
I went through a devastating event 10 years ago whereas I got shot in the head with a large caliber pistol by the ex-wife.Skull was not cracked but I did get a concussion and spent some time in the hospital ICU.Received MRI'S and such,,no brain damage that could be seen.I noticed about a year and a half later that I had started to be more standoffish from people,even my close friends.I still loved to joke around with my friends when I saw them because I wanted to appear alright.But inside I was dying and very depressed.My friends were disappearing.I felt like I had started to lose my mind.I wonder if I was acting differently around them and did not notice it,,they probably did though.I started to take 1 mg.of xanax 3 times a day and my world has gotten back to absolute normal.I feel great and oddly enough my command of the english language has reappeared {I had stumbled for a while looking for the right words in conversation}.I'm wondering and questioning so many things.Why would this drug make me feel normal
and put me back to the place where I was before this tragic event?
ANNOMOUS.HI I HAVE BEEN DEALING WITH ANXIETY AND PANIC ATTACKS!! FOR 15 YEARS.IVE BEEN ON CLONAZAPAM AND LEXAPRO AND STILL FILL LIKE IM CRAWLING OUT OF MY SKIN AND MY HEART BEATS LIKE IM HAVING A HEART ATTACK. I WISH THERE WAS SOMETHING THAT WOULD TAKE IT AWAY. IT'S REALLY HARD WHEN YOU ARE RAISING CHILDREN AND WORKING AND FEEL LIKE THAT.
i had a panic attack about four years ago and went to the emergancy room came out relieved that it wasnt anything serious. the following day i felt so greatfull to be alive so i took it as a eye opener to live each day to the fullest. but i had a serious attack about 1 year ago at a football game their again im at the er. now whith phobias like couldnt be alone at home, cant drive a car by my self i lost twenty five lbs but that was infused by hardcore diets still my anxiety was the major reason of my eating habits. ive been given tafil and other antideppresents but really i dont want to take them. ive been trying out of will power it works to a certain point but get worn out by fear still cant drive without felling scared im 25 years old male. i was a very independent person now not so much but to end it all i feel like i am getting better day by day. if any buddy can respond with some advice i would be most greatfull godbless
I have been suffering from anxiety since I was 16 yrs old, I am now 20. I've been prescribed many things such as zoloft and valumes, but it seemed to make me lose touch with myself. I like to do things naturally so I weaned myself off of the drugs. I would convince myself that it was all in my head and talk myself out of the attack. saying things like this is normal, it happend to everyone all the time, I'm not going to die from it, and it would work. one day out of no where I started feeling really hot and dizzy and my body went numb, I lost my hearing and sight and almost past out. I went to the ER and they told me it was a severe panick attack, which I have never had one that bad before, it really scared me. I went online to try to find something that could help me because I've been having the fear to do anything thinking that this will reacure. I ordered seredyn because it is an all natural pill derived from plants and such. hopfully it will work it has not arrived yet.
I have had anxiety all my life since I can remember from 8 years old, now I am 51. My mother has it, my daughter has it , and probably my son has some of it. So it is defintely genetic in my family all 3 generations, my mother, me and my daughter and a study was done on us and a front temporal lobe study was done we are ADD, and anxiety stricken which leads to depression because you know you are different.
Had all possible stops at the Er then checked myself into a Mental Hospital in Houston, and they did every test they had including that red brain test.....upon doing a study with my daughter in 5th grade and doing elementary exercises on a computer we both had regressive learning curves, broke out crying and the study took 6 weeks instead of 2, because we were nervous before we got to the Baylor College of Medicine.
My doctor did not show me that brain picture for two yrs at 33...because I would have panicked ? I was put on clorazepate, short acting nerve drug, flurazepam to put me to sleep that builds up in the liver over the years and my brain calmed down, and yes that is what BENZOS were made for...treatment of an illness. I dont know anybody is worried about addiction of a benzo, when it was discovered for people just like us. After a few months on these calming drugs, I TRIED to give myself a panic attack and could not. My brain is recorded as red as this...I knew my whole life I had this, it did just not have a name...I still take these drugs, Tranxene and Flurzepam to go to sleep...and they are gone....
I had MAJOR TRAUMA, when I accidently shot my FIANCE...and we thought that was the cause at 14 years old...No, I got married and my daughter and son have it also, and mother...3 generations..nobody's fault...just need to get the meds...the right doctor...and I became a State Farm Agent, from dropping out of school. Write me....dont be scared, actually my mother gave me a tape called, there is nothing to fear but feat itself. It makes the flight or fight response natural from God when you are scared , when to much adrenaline builds up..a panic attack CAN come.
I started working the (adrenaline out in a gym or running)...and once that sugar is burned....you feel great...tired and can go to sleep...work it to death it is chemicals...worry, stress, causes drugs to cause the attacks...embrace it go with it and say...you cannot hurt me...I have run during one before...and said if I die I will die...and once I ran to get help....guess what .....it left...it is the chicken and egg or worry, not a brain problem..the red brain is a brain terrible distress I had in 1995 at 33, when my gene went into effect in a divorce....checked myself into a pscho unit at the hospital , ( not easy prepare ) not a hotel....the other thing was I was, and still fight alcohol..it works at first, then the brain becomes to depend on it, and then it wanted it...and started causing the wave of fear..alcohol..is not good. I have to have my medicine and I will not WORRY, then that the solution to my disease, medicine ? I am 51, you have a question write me...I have been through 2 divorces, an accidental death, and a rape....you cant ask me anything to embarrasing....
Ive had anxiety since i was little...and i can remember it from when i was around 6. I always left school classes, and sat in the bathroom or in a corner and when middle/high school came I was always leaving almost every day. I dropped out in 9th grade. I got my GED though. I Im trying to go to a community college now and find myself leaving or not even attending. I only passed one out of 4 classes in my 1st semester and now im on financial aid probation. Im in my second semester now and was going to drop out but its now too late because ill never be able to get financial aid again if i dont do well. I know im smart but I just cant think...and feel like someone is always watching me in class. I miss appointments all the time...I flip out on my boyfriend all the time, whom i have a child with....My doctor says i have adhd, anxiety, and depression, so im on adderall xr and zanax xr. My job history is screwed up...never kept a job for more than a month or two. I dont know what to do with myself anymore. Some website said i have anxiety because of my depression.....but really i have depression because of my anxiety. I want a job but i cant even get to the interview. Im trying to study for this test i have today, but im not even gonna go because i cant remember anything 2 minutes after i read it over.....what is wrong with me and what should i do for the rest of my life. I live in a disability building, so my rent is cheap as hell but what the state gives me is not enough to pay my electric and rent both.....i cant end up homeless with a kid, and i dont think i can get disability insurance....i feel like their gonna laugh at me.....ahhhhhh....im a lost cause
I dont get people get people putting all these foriegn wierd drugs and anti derpresents in there body. I am an extreme athlete and Im 35 I smoke pot and it relaxs me andI puts me in right state of mind. I was just watching larry king and saw Bill maherer saying if michael phelps can win 14 gold medals I guess weed doesnt ruin everyones motivations. True that I have been in great shape my whole life and have had major intestine surgery due to stress. It might not be for everyone but it works for me. I know lots of sucessful peoplpe who do the same and you would never know. Just because the goverment controls everything and tells you what drugs to take doesnt make it ok when you find out years later all the bad side affects. Its not the perfect solution but mine and its a plant and it makes motivated to do things I might not thats all
well, i used to smoke pot when i was younger, or before i was 18, and it made anxiety worse....a lot worse. At least with the zanax it makes me be able to be in front of people and feel a little more comfortable.
I had the anxiety since i was young,but now it got worse.I had taken all kind of antidepression medince but it dosent work for me and i lost ability to think and felt the anxiety hit me every day.I m still hope une day my anxiety and depression go away.
shit,the anxiety i having now i stay in my bed most of time. I got anxiety really bad when i go to grocery or around people.
really? ive been finding myself staying home a lot more, and i think its gonna get worse. has anyone recently applied for disability in ri? im afraid to.
WHATS CRAZY IS I FEEL STRESSED AND GET ANXIETY WHEN I HEAR A SOUND OF A HEART BEAT OR WATCH ANYTHING ON TV ABOUT HEART ATTACKS.. IT FREAKS ME OUT. I HAVE BEEN ON ADIVAN FOR OVER 5 YEARS. ...I FEEL LIKE A FREAK I JSUT WANT MY LIFE BACK
I have anxiety too, but I am not sure what comes first the anxiety? Depression? Or the PTSD?
I have been on every drug out there to try to control my anxiety.I have had it since I was in school and has made my life pure hell.I have taken antidepressants to try to calm myself,but no matter what I take it still is none stop panic attacks.I cant ahve a relationship,have friends.now I have fibromyalgia and it just multiplies it even more.I have taken very strong pain meds that helped for a while along with xanax.next thing I know is I am hooked and hade to detox twice and now after my 3rd detox and trying other naturals,I hate to tell all you....THERE IS NO ANSWER,,i AM BROKE AND SOON TO BE HOMELESS THANKS TO MY MEDICAL CONDITION...PS...PSY DONT WORK EITHER....
i am finding that staying off pills and forcing myself into social situations works best. Even if you feel like you cant and want to leave somewhere as soon as you get there....so go to walmart...as an example....and even if you cant get out of the car...sit in the parking lot for a minute...next time try to get out and approach the entrance...if you cant, go home and keep trying a little more each time. think of funny things about other people...listen to their conversations....and say something about them. if you feel anxiety coming on, bend over and tie your shpoe and than say "oh shoot" than act like you forgot your money in the car...I still leave the store and the bars sometimes but i go for a walk or sit in my car....if you feel like you are going to lose your home...find a disability building...have your doctor write a note or something and they usaully get you in quick...i was living with friends with my 3 yr old son for a whole year because my anxiety prevented me from working....but a couple weeks before christmas i found this great place in my area that goes by my income and moved in december 22.... my rent is 84 a month covered by staate assistance. now im working on my cdl because if i get a cdl licence i can drive a truck all day and not have to see anyone...or deal with any people....little steps work...
I would love to know more about social anxity! I'm 26yrs old and don't do half of what I could because when I go to speak the words just want come out. I have a REALLY hard time answering phones, like for a bussiness. I go to pick the phone up and by the time I get to say anything the person on the other line is like hello. It is such a burden. When I wake up in the morning I tell myself today will be a good day. Some weeks are and some I just can't speak period. I don't know why because in school I was the first girl to read out lound, now I try not to speak at all. I have alot to say so if anyone could help me please do. My e-mail is jackrusselbeach@yahoo.com
I understand first-hand how anxiety can ruin relationships. I've had social phobia for about 30 years and have been trying to treat it for the past 10 years.
Has anyone tried EFFEXOR XR for social anxiety? I've taken it for 4 years now and it seems to work.
I tried Xanax and Prozac but they didn't work at all for me other than making me feel groggy and ruining my sex life.
I'm being treated for depression, but I think I have anxiety too.
I have anxiety also i take xanax as well along with some other things it helps but i have a great dr that helps me with ways to handle it when it starts litte thing like to take ur mind off of things that are triggering it and it really helps me. I dont think there is any way to toldly stop it but some ways to help it
Years ago I struggled with depression, but with therapy and sometimes anti-depressants have been able to overcome it. I no longer have problems with depression.
Anxiety was a problem off and on, recently due to overwork I really made myself sick. I felt anxious, couldn't sleep, tried many natural remedies. I'm in therapy again, and am taking klonopin to sleep, and if needed during the day, but the need has lessened.
What has REALLY HELPED is a change of lifestyle. I'm now taking yoga classes and have started taking tai chi, and walk regularly. I'm learning to balance better and feel a big difference. My anxiety is lessening and is more controllable. Soon I will try to go off the meds and see how I do. It helps to be proactive and be willing to make changes. It is possible for some to overcome these challenges with hard work and determination.
i am a 24 yr old woman that has been suffering with panic attacks for 3 yrs now. before this i was a young, happy, active, social person, all my friends use to say i was the life of the party, now i just sit at home bc im scaired of having these in public, i hate it,i feel like i am out of my mind, very disoriented all the time. what can i do!!!! i have been to many doctors and been on all different medications but nothing seems to help except xanax, but i moved back home with my parents and i have a new doctor that want percribe narcotics at all so im trying to deal with just taking paxil and it doesnt seem to work at all.........if anyone knows something that will help please email me at luckycasey20@yahoo.com
hi i am 24. i have had anxiety for about 1 year. I am sorry to hear it will never go away i was in denial about that.This does really suck.i am currently researching yoga and meditation, i have heard good things.Does anyone know if it is possible to push yourself through an attack and if you try what is the worst that can happen?I am currently taking xanax,lexapro,something for stomach,something for heart rate and something for dizziness. i have a low tolerance for meds so i want off all of them.the side effects suck.any input is welcome...eln.mcmurray@yahoo.com thanks also mine started after a car wreck but the thing is ... i can not figure out what my trigger's are, this is driving me crazy
anxiety sucks. i hate taking pills, it feels like im a drug addict. ive been off pills for half a year or more. is there anything naturaal that really works out there? how can i get my life back?
if i even look at the word STROKE, or HEARTATTACK, i want to pass out. it is so ridickulus now. i get mad at myself. even if i hear a heartbeating , i freak. what the hell, i feel like my mind is playing tricks on me. y me?? i ve had anxiety/depression for about 1 yr. im 24. being this young and having it ,sucks. im scared to drive now, im scared to go on road trips because i think if i have an attack, , wheres is the nearby hospital. ill freak more. i hate this. i never was this way. all i do now is stay in bed. and cry. i used to go anywhere at any time, very outgoing and full of life. now im like a dead flower, in a hole. im sick and tired. i hate going to public places, even stores. how can you live like this. ??
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Hello,
My name is Tonia, I just wanted to let you all know that the real truth is that most of us will have to take our meds for the rest of our lives. But do not feel week, or like a failure due to this fact and do not let anyone make you feel any of those things either. I have been on just about every drug out there and I can only say that I will not ever stop taking them again, I take Zoloft 100mg. per day and xanax .05mg as needed I usually take 1 per day or more if I feel anxious. I will not lie and say that all is perfect, but it is tolleriable. God bless the anxious people.
A couple more things I would like to try to answer a couple of the questions that were asked by others on this page. As far as what type of drug combination is the most affective it would have to be an SSRI and a benzodiazapine like xanax or some other member of that family. I do not believe that one alone is enough to stave off the attacks, I have tryed this. Also you really have to find a word or something to use to cut off an attack in its tracks. I say to myself, well isn't this inconvienant. This usually works for me but you all must find what works for you. Do not let a doctor tell you that you do not need a xanax or something in the benzo. family along with your SSRI if this doctor is a psychiatrist they should know that this combo is necessary. Remember you are your strongest representative, stand up for yourself.
IT IS BIOLOGICAL WITH SUCH OVERWHELMING SYMPTOMS IT CAUSES EMOTIONAL PROBLEMS I HAVE BEEN DEALING WITH THIS 4 34 YEARS I WENT TO THERAPY A LOT I DID LEARN SOME COPING SKILLS IM NOT AS PHOBIC ANYMORE I CAN LEAVE THE HOUSE ,CANT DRIVE ALONE OR TOO FAR, ALOT OF THINGS I CANT DO,I THINK THERE COMES ATIME YOU HAVE TO ACCEPT THAT YOU HAVE AN ILLNESS AND TAKE YOUR MEDS AND KNOW YOUR LIFE WILL BE DIFFERRENT IN ALL THESE YEARS IN AND OUT OF THERAPY AND PEOPLE IVE KNOWN AND EVERYTHING I READ AND STUDIED THERE IS NO "CURE" WE HAVE TO HAVE MORE RESEARCH DONE FOR DEPRESSION AND ANXIETY ESPECIALLY IN TODAYS SOCIETY ALSO DONT BE ASHAMED OR THINK YOUR WEAK WE ARE SOME OF THE STRONGEST PEOPLE TO HAVE TO DEAL WITH THIS AND THE STIGMA THAT STILL SURROUNDS IT
did anybody ever try chamomillecitrustea with ginger and a couple of tablespoons of honey at night 1 hour before going to bed ? i had anxiety and paranoiaexperiences when using cocain-if you dont know where it comes from and why it must be heavy on you.afraid to meet people afraid to open the door afraid of beeing afraid..try to close your eyes breath in and out and dont think about a thing !cocentrate on fighting it with your innerself..think of the forest think of the ocean think of flying.dont give fear a chance !be prepared for the moment you know its coming - so smile greet your fear as y6ou would face your enemy ion the field.dont react - wait! dont give fear a chance to succed !
no take over today ! keep on laughing about your fear - find the reason why it occurs..perhaps bad experiences in your childhood mistrust abuse even as an adult..always a trigger there somewhere ..like the cocain it hits you out of nowhere-the only difference is i knew its coming.so tell yourself you know its coming and i will send you back to where you come from.try to listen to the sounds of nature buy a record if you have no chance to go out. try real teas.enjoy the taste and the warm liquid running down your throat and giving you inner warmth..mighty leaf is a goo brand for bags if you cant buy the real stuff.use honey o ragave syrup for sweet and calm.so lets get started get prepared be confident dont give fear a chance !!
love and happiness
I started having severe anxiety after I got married about 2 years ago. It actually started on my honeymoon. Throughout our honeymoon, my wife was very supportive as the feelings would come and go. I constantly had the feeling that "something was not right" and these feelings would escalate into panic attacks. I figured everything would be OK when I got home.
When I got home things got worse, I went to the ER and they suggested I go to counseling. I went to a faith based counselor and she performed EMDR therapy along with talk therapy. I thought the EMDR sounded a little odd at first, but I convinced that it works. It is completely natural and I have not had a panic attack for over and year and feel great. I would recommend EMDR to anyone. Hope this helps someone.
I've been dealing with this problem for about eight months now,it really came out of the blue. Initially I thought something was seriously work with menu had numerous test done, all coming back normal. I find that at times my hands shake, and I have involuntary movements. Does this happen to anyone else? For the most part I feel fine,97% of the time. It's actually really mild. My doctor told me to limit my white sugars and caffeine. Thisvisva really big help. I can tell the differance.I'm taking sugg. On what can help. I was given 0.5mg of Xanax that I take on a as needed.
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