Understanding Trauma, Anxiety and Burnout in your Nervous System - Break the Anxiety Cycle 20/30

Anxiety is essentially a state of your nervous system. In this video we’ll explore anxiety, trauma and burnout in your nervous system.

There’s two ways that your nervous system plays a direct role in anxiety and depression- your alerting activating system can get stuck on or stuck off. And most of the people who get stuck in these states don’t realize it, they are trapped in these cycles and just feel chronically anxious or chronically exhausted. But the good news is that when you learn to identify what is happening, you can change it.

According to polyvagal theory, there are 3 states of the nervous system.
Safety (aka Ventral vagal, or parasympathetic)
Activation (aka sympathetic, or FFF response) which looks like anxiety, PTSD, or an initial trauma response.
Overwhelm/Shutdown (aka dorsal vagal (which, confusingly, is also parasympathetic, but it’s a more primitive state)) This often looks like burnout or depression in the nervous system.
When you come to understand how hypoarousal looks like burnout or depression, you can come to better understand the essential skills to overcoming burnout.

Therapy in a Nutshell and the information provided by Emma McAdam are solely intended for informational and entertainment purposes and are not a substitute for advice, diagnosis, or treatment regarding medical or mental health conditions. Although Emma McAdam is a licensed marriage and family therapist, the views expressed on this site or any related content should not be taken for medical or psychiatric advice. Always consult your physician before making any decisions related to your physical or mental health.
In therapy I use a combination of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Systems Theory, positive psychology, and a bio-psycho-social approach to treating mental illness and other challenges we all face in life. The ideas from my videos are frequently adapted from multiple sources. Many of them come from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, especially the work of Steven Hayes, Jason Luoma, and Russ Harris. The sections on stress and the mind-body connection derive from the work of Stephen Porges (the Polyvagal theory), Peter Levine (Somatic Experiencing) Francine Shapiro (EMDR), and Bessel Van Der Kolk. I also rely heavily on the work of the Arbinger institute for my overall understanding of our ability to choose our life's direction.

Copyright Therapy in a Nutshell, LLC

[DesertGuy]

I was abused growing up physically & mentally. Saw things, heard things, experienced things no kid should. Always considered myself a piece of granite though. Was on my own at 15. Now 34 I’ve fallen to pieces these last couple of years. Have had new traumas, and hardships post pandemic. It’s like the dam that was holding it all has collapsed. I’ve been a mess. Your videos have helped a lot though in some dark times. Anybody reading this also suffering know you’re not alone. You still hold so much value despite your anxiety. God bless.

[uxnreje]

Just wanted to say that in mid November I was experiencing a completely incapacitating panic disorder . I went to the ER twice with my heart pounding at an alarming rate for days on end . Couldn't drive out of the driveway without a panic attack . Cried multiple times a day . Found this channel. Used what I learned from it . Pushed through my desire to hide and stop doing daily tasks . Almost two months later I'm no longer having panic attacks or crying while I drive .
We can get ourselves back . We can feel happy again . Don't give up . ❤

[Ericbrown-sekx]

I just feel like crying for no apparent reason and I have this overwhelming feeling of sadness.

[wfkdnmn]

I am always on edge from when I wake up and all day long. Its exhausting to be was abused as a child and got used to always needing to be ready to run or get away. So this is true. It is ingrained in me...

[Doors_of_janua]

I am going through the worst burnout ever. Totally drained, high alert… please if anyone can send some love it would help. I am starting therapy .. need to get through this.❤

[debv]

I just spoke to my counselor about my constant state of anxiety. I've had a lot of tough things to deal with the past 2 years - about every 2 months it's something new. I'm always on edge, even when there isn't anything to be anxious about. She said it's generalized anxiety. I've only watched this for 5 minutes and need to take a break - will watch the rest later. I really appreciate your videos.

[FSCHW]

#3 Hypoarousal is me. Been doing the same stressful job for 20 years. Many days I feel paralyzed at my desk. Depressed. Sleep 2-3 hours a night Productivity at war is zero. New work sets a fight or flight trigger. Primary support for 2 elder seniors for 20 years too. Father passed in 2022, mother needs much support.

[_Marthinzen]

I did a medical psilocybin retreat which helped immensely. It took me out of this state of hyper vigilance, chronic exhaustion, hyper irritability, anger issues. Got my brain rewired to function better, like a default mode network overhaul. It worked a ton better than ketamine therapy. 🎉

[Goahead]

Your videos are helping me to deal with chronic stress of air raid alerts and explosions from the Russian attacks here in Kyiv. Thank you, truly.

[InvitationtoAmy]

I have brain fog that actually feels heavy in my eyes. I feel I can’t focus, like I need glasses or just to go to sleep but I don’t sleep deep without meds. The thing is I was doing so well and things are good in my life. But stress still seems to cause this in me, even though I think it’s a normal amount of stress. I do better in the warmer months. I workout (it helps I think) I eat well mostly. I just feel my brain had damage and even when I think it’s improving I seem to fall back and feel all the things again. I’m having a hard time finding out what nervous state I am in. Many years of chronic stress and abuse, my whole life. I’m really trying to love myself and live better. It’s a lot to sort. Thankful for your content. ❤

[o.h.w.]

Im too stressed to pay attention to this

[mjundkt]

I have struggled with panic disorder for a year and a half now. I thought it was low blood sugar thousands of dollars going back-and-forth to the hospital. I started watching your videos on how to try to re-train my brain. And you have help me change my life for real. I thank you. I still struggle with panic but I’ve learned to control it and wait for it to pass. I feel a Panic attack coming on. I started watching your videos on how to get through it and it has helped me tremendously. Again, I thank you.

[zenstoryshare]

I love this practical advice. Thanks
0:00: The role of the nervous system in anxiety and depression, and the three states according to polyvagal theory.
3:10: Effects of an anxious nervous system on the body and mind, and how it can lead to heightened sensitivity and overreactions.
6:28: Nervous system hypoarousal is a protective mode triggered by overwhelming threats, leading to energy conservation and trauma responses.
9:54: Managing anxiety and trauma involves activating the nervous system, solving problems, and understanding the deep learning system of the brain and body.
13:13: Importance of understanding anxiety in the nervous system and the need for body-based treatment.

[tinasavage]

I've experienced pretty much all of these symptoms my issues started back in 2019 caring for my parents, home life, work, after loosing both my parents one after the other I shut down, the last couple of years l have not worked shut my self away . The worst procrastination but I'm healing at sixtytwo how much life can I have I'm not willing to sit and die I'm pushing my self to be a better me .good luck to anyone dealing with these issues god bless 😊

[JayTalksinjury]

I'm 53 yrs old and just coming to grips with how my brain works from, like other commentor said about a kid seeing bad stuff. Anxiety is when you go to sleep in your rig, completely hydrated and pushing your foot against the wall to stop curling . Or when i have torn back muscles shaking so bad because i thought i was stressed . My generation didn't talk about this, but this episode describes me perfectly, and I'm starting to heal... Thank you ❤.

[grover]

All of this also happens when you have multiple mental health issues that are fighting each issue internally. Like autism, ADHD, anxiety, and clinical depression. They all work with each other and fight each other non-stop. Having my thyroid removed and having the mental health issues I stated make it harder to regulate issues

[dreapress]

The amount of abuse I went through at the hands of my physician no kid should ever have to go through. Well, no one should have to go through, kid, adult, no one. I’m just starting to cope with it now. There are days I can think of nothing else but what he did to me. Today is actually NOT one of those days. Today is a good day because of videos like this. They are helping me heal. I have been dropped from therapy bc they have told me I’m too sick and that they can’t help me. Yes. That’s right. I’m so SO thankful for YouTube and healthy videos like these. They are the only way I’ve been able to heal. I have had to help myself. It’s been a wild couple years trying to heal. I don’t look at replies on YouTube so if anyone replies in a positive way, thank you in advance lol. And for anyone else struggling, keep working on yourself. It gets better.

[Wimruther-hkzn]

I suffered severe anxiety and mental disorder since my teenage, was actually diagnosed with cptsd. Not until a friend recommended me to psilocybin mushrooms treatment. Psilocybin treatment saved my life honestly. 8 years totally clean. This is something that really need to be use globally to help people with similar health challenges.

[satyasunshine]

Ive caused the ongoing, severe anxiety to manifest into shingles 1 1/2 yrs.now!!! Ive been stalked for months, homelessness, DONT feel safe most of my life for awhile!!!Insomnia crippling!!!! Im grateful I found you, sister!! Thank you!!🙏🥰☮️

[RedeemedRighteousness]

You have such a cool personality, you're just that person that everyone wants as a friend! I think you healed some of my anxiety just with you're character alone😂