The Effects of Untreated Anxiety Brain Damage
Experiencing anxiety or stress is a normal part of life. However, “anxiety disorders cause intense, excessive, and persistent worry and fear about everyday situations,” as defined by the Mayo Clinic. Living with anxiety disorder can impact daily life and can exert physical strain on various systems in the body, including the nervous, cardiovascular, digestive, immune, and respiratory systems. Research even indicates that people can experience untreated anxiety brain damage.
When someone experiences anxiety, their brain reacts similarly to how it would in a threatening scenario. This triggers the amygdala, which is responsible for survival instincts, while suppressing the hippocampus, which is responsible for storing memories. Over time, ongoing anxiety can harm these brain regions, increasing the likelihood of developing psychiatric disorders, including depression and dementia.
The good news is that the brain possesses neural plasticity, enabling it to heal itself and form new connections. Anxiety can be effectively managed through a variety of therapeutic approaches, medications, and alternative treatments, which can help repair any damage caused by anxiety.
What Happens if Anxiety Is Left Untreated?
Anxiety disorders rank as the most prevalent mental health issues in the United States, affecting more than 18% of Americans each year. Anxiety disorders include panic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and specific phobias. Alarmingly, fewer than 37% of those suffering from anxiety disorders seek treatment, which can result in various mental, physical, and social challenges.
Mentally, untreated anxiety can develop into depression, intensifying feelings of despair and hopelessness. Many people can also struggle with insomnia and other sleep disorders. Untreated anxiety can lead some people to seek out drugs or alcohol as a means of self-medication, increasing the risk of developing dependence or addiction. Unfortunately, there are many ways that mental health can affect substance abuse.
Although anxiety is a mental health disorder, it manifests physical symptoms as well. The constant flood of adrenaline and cortisol can increase heart rate and elevate blood pressure, leading to the onset of cardiovascular disease. Additionally, chronic anxiety can damage the brain. Studies reveal that prolonged stress can cause the amygdala, responsible for processing fear, to enlarge, while the hippocampus, associated with long-term memory, shrinks.
Moreover, untreated anxiety can lead to difficulty functioning in school or work. People can become more isolated, potentially developing agoraphobia, which can confine them to their homes or even a single room. This isolation can increase the chance of many health issues as well, including cardiovascular problems, deteriorating mental health, and an increased risk of premature death.
Can My Brain Recover from Anxiety?
The brain is a fascinating organ, constantly evolving and adapting throughout our lives. This remarkable quality, known as neuroplasticity, allows the brain to heal and transform itself. For instance, similar to how the brain adapts to enlarge the amygdala and shrinks the hippocampus to adapt to chronic stress, it can adapt back to normal functioning when the stress is removed. Research featured in Current Opinion in Psychiatry indicates that pharmacological interventions, like antidepressants, may reverse stress-induced damage in the brain.
Even if you’ve struggled with anxiety for many years, seeking treatment through therapy and medications can alleviate symptoms and potentially heal your brain from untreated anxiety brain damage. Additionally, instances of brain trauma, such as after a car accident, demonstrate neuroplasticity can help repair neural pathways and form new ones. Some ways you can improve your brain’s neuroplasticity include:
- Engage in regular exercise.
- Priority quality sleep.
- Learn a new skill, such as a language or instrument.
- Practice mindfulness through meditation.
- Maintain a healthy diet with nutrient-rich foods.
- Use your non-dominant hand.
- Challenge your brain by exploring a new subject or topic.
Can Anxiety Cause Your Brain to Shut Down?
The brain protects against nervous system overload by shutting down, which can happen during moments of anxiety. When your brain senses fear or danger, the limbic system activates, triggering the fight, flight, or freeze response. This process shuts down the prefrontal cortex, the logical part of the brain, shutting down thinking and speaking to redirect energy to the limbic system instead.
This reaction to intense emotions serves as a coping strategy but can lead to emotional numbing and mental detachment. Initially, emotional numbing is beneficial by calming your overwhelmed mind. However, if it persists, it can lead to unhealthy coping mechanisms and further distress to your mental and physical well-being. Some effects of the brain shutdown include a dampened sense of excitement, isolation from others, a distorted sense of time, a lack of interest in activities once enjoyed, and a general sense of apathy. Essentially, emotional numbing represents the brain’s freeze response to stressors.
How Can I Finally Beat My Anxiety?
Anxiety disorders may be a lifelong struggle, but with appropriate treatment, symptoms can be effectively managed. Psychotherapy, particularly cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) for anxiety, stands out as one of the most effective ways to treat this mental health concern. Therapy equips effective coping strategies and tools to navigate anxiety. CBT specifically focuses on helping people learn and manage their anxiety triggers. Additionally, there are various types of medications to regulate anxiety and stabilize brain chemistry.
Incorporating various lifestyle changes is crucial for managing anxiety. Regular exercise, eating a nutritious diet, and enjoying time outdoors are great starting points toward better mental health. You can also explore relaxation techniques such as deep breathing, meditation, visualization, and yoga to calm your nervous system. Many people have also found relief from anxiety using complementary and alternative therapies such as massage, acupuncture, and cold-water therapy.
Finding effective ways to reduce your stress and anxiety can help heal the body and mind from the effects of anxiety. Try prioritizing your peace and well-being instead of working around other areas of your life. Activities such as connecting with loved ones, laughing, listening to music, creating art, reading, volunteering, and spending time in nature can naturally boost serotonin levels, helping reduce stress and anxiety.
Prevent Untreated Anxiety Brain Damage with Dual Diagnosis Treatment at WhiteSands
Experiencing an anxiety disorder can create a persistent sense of fear and unpredictability that disrupts daily activities while also affecting your mental and physical well-being. Furthermore, chronic anxiety can lead to untreated anxiety brain damage. Attempting to cope with anxiety on your own may lead you to seek out drugs and alcohol to manage symptoms, leaving you with an additional issue of a substance use disorder.
Fortunately, it is possible for you to learn to manage your anxiety symptoms and receive the necessary support to overcome substance abuse. At WhiteSands Treatment, we understand the difficulties associated with anxiety and substance dependence. We provide dual-diagnosis treatment programs designed to assist patients facing co-occurring disorders, such as anxiety and depression, while also addressing their addiction. Our dedicated, knowledgeable team of specialists is committed to helping you regain control of your life, free from anxiety, drugs, and alcohol. Personalized treatment programs include evidence-based psychotherapies, medication management, and holistic care.
If you are seeking assistance for yourself or wondering how to help someone with anxiety disorder, our intake specialists are ready to answer any questions you may have or get you started with treatment. Please do not struggle with more days of untreated anxiety. Call us today at 877-855-3470.
External Sources
- Current Opinion in Psychiatry — Can Anxiety Damage the Brain?
- Science Daily — Chronic Stress, Anxiety Can Damage the Brain, Increase Risk of Major Psychiatric Disorders
- Mayo Clinic — Anxiety Disorders
If you or a loved one needs help with abuse and/or treatment, please call the WhiteSands Treatment at (877) 855-3470. Our addiction specialists can assess your recovery needs and help you get the addiction treatment that provides the best chance for your long-term recovery.
About the Author
Jackie has been involved in the substance abuse and addiction treatment sector for over five years and this is something that she is truly eager about. She has a passion for writing and continuously works to create informative pieces that not only educate and inform the public about the disease of addiction but also provide solutions for those who struggle with drug and alcohol abuse.
