Results 1 to 6 of 6

Thread: Is hyperawareness a part of anxiety?

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Apr 2019
    Posts
    144

    Is hyperawareness a part of anxiety?

    I ask because it seems like my anxiety makes me super aware of things, like how I feel, my body sensations and what not. I wonder if its normal for anxiety to cause and, if there's a way to treat it. Thanks.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Nov 2018
    Posts
    7,747

    Re: Is hyperawareness a part of anxiety?

    It's absolutely a part of anxiety, yes, and the best way to treat it is simply to accept it as not a big deal.
    __________________
    ************************************************** ********
    Sometimes, it's better to light a flamethrower than curse the darkness. - Terry Pratchett

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Dec 2014
    Posts
    3,229

    Re: Is hyperawareness a part of anxiety?

    Quote Originally Posted by TaleOn11 View Post
    I ask because it seems like my anxiety makes me super aware of things, like how I feel, my body sensations and what not. I wonder if its normal for anxiety to cause and, if there's a way to treat it. Thanks.
    Hypervigilance.

    Absolutely, positively 100% caused by anxiety. Even got mentioned in a MH session I was having with a counsellor today.

    I am only now starting to learn that most useful of tactics: "this is my anxiety causing this 'and I diskard it'* "

    *with apologies to Geoffrey Willans.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Mar 2014
    Posts
    27,320

    Re: Is hyperawareness a part of anxiety?

    Yes, and the more anxious you are the more you will notice things.

    You might find it impossible to apply CBT-style techniques or acceptance dependant on just how strong your anxiety is. That's because your body is flooded with chemicals aimed at keeping you on high alert. It's how right or flight is designed to work.

    So, aside from trying to address it directly you can do so indirectly by aiming to reduce what is underpinning it: chemicals. This is why we can feel the benefits of physical exercise which takes those chemicals and either helps with flushing them out or to metabolize them into another the body needs.

    Intrusive thoughts are well known to suffer this relationship. Lots of anxiety = more frequent and more intense. You struggle to do anything to help get past them. Bring those underlying anxiety levels down and they reduce with it.

    So, if you are under stress at work, at home, have relationship problems or experience something traumatic you will find this all intensifies. Deal with those causes and the rest follow to cause a marked reduction.
    __________________
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    For free Mindfulness resources, please see this thread I have created to compile many sources together http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=168689

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Apr 2019
    Posts
    144

    Re: Is hyperawareness a part of anxiety?

    Thanks everybody for replying. Especially you Terry! Its good to know that its all just chemicals and that I can hopefully flush them out and get rid of some of this anxiety thats been plaguing me since this dreadful pandemic started.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Oct 2016
    Posts
    1,330

    Re: Is hyperawareness a part of anxiety?

    Quote Originally Posted by MyNameIsTerry View Post
    Yes, and the more anxious you are the more you will notice things.

    You might find it impossible to apply CBT-style techniques or acceptance dependant on just how strong your anxiety is. That's because your body is flooded with chemicals aimed at keeping you on high alert. It's how right or flight is designed to work.

    So, aside from trying to address it directly you can do so indirectly by aiming to reduce what is underpinning it: chemicals. This is why we can feel the benefits of physical exercise which takes those chemicals and either helps with flushing them out or to metabolize them into another the body needs.

    Intrusive thoughts are well known to suffer this relationship. Lots of anxiety = more frequent and more intense. You struggle to do anything to help get past them. Bring those underlying anxiety levels down and they reduce with it.

    So, if you are under stress at work, at home, have relationship problems or experience something traumatic you will find this all intensifies. Deal with those causes and the rest follow to cause a marked reduction.
    Thanks for sharing that, Terry.

Thread Information

Users Browsing this Thread

There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)

Similar Threads

  1. Hyperawareness DP/DR
    By AJwolf1987 in forum Depersonalization/depersonalisation & Derealization/derealisation (DP & DR)
    Replies: 7
    Last Post: 04-12-18, 23:33
  2. Hyperawareness OCD of all body movements
    By stonewash in forum OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder)
    Replies: 1
    Last Post: 04-07-18, 02:27
  3. Hyperawareness OCD
    By Rusty2324 in forum OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder)
    Replies: 9
    Last Post: 04-07-18, 02:01
  4. Time hyperawareness?
    By Nikitaa in forum General Anxiety / Generalised anxiety disorder (GAD)
    Replies: 2
    Last Post: 16-03-18, 20:13
  5. is this part of anxiety or something else
    By Alamie in forum General Anxiety / Generalised anxiety disorder (GAD)
    Replies: 4
    Last Post: 08-08-12, 13:37

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •