Anxiety

Introduction: What If Anxiety Isn’t the Enemy?
Anxiety is often painted as something to fight or silence. But what if it's not just a problem, but a signal? In my practice, I see anxiety as a whisper from the body—not a flaw, but a flag. A message from your nervous system that something is out of rhythm. Whether you’re feeling wired, restless, foggy, or flat-out overwhelmed, this post will help you understand what anxiety really is—and what to do about it.

So What is Anxiety?

Anxiety is more than just worry. It’s a full-body experience—a cascade of neurological, hormonal, and emotional shifts. It stems form a sense physical, mental, or emotional cause and from a biomedical view, anxiety is a increased tendency towards a dominate sympathetic nervous system (fight or flight), triggering:

• Racing heart

• Shallow breathing

• Muscle tension

• Digestive issues

• Difficulty focusing

• Tight chest

From a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) perspective, anxiety is often seen as a disruption in the Heart (Shen), Liver (Qi stagnation), or Spleen (worry and rumination). When these systems become imbalanced, the body’s function is impaired. This leads to changes in the body’s’ environment and the systems within the body that monitor things like pH, Blood sugar, Temperature…etc. These systems are collectively known as the intraceptive system, and as the homeostasis is affected becoming more difficult to maintain it creates stress in the system triggering the sympathetic nervous system in order to create action and instill within the person that changes need to be made. The experience is uncomfortable as we feel the outer environment might feel calm while the environment within the body is in a state of fear and worry.

Common Root Causes of Anxiety

Anxiety isn’t random. There is a reason, and It usually has multiple root causes. The most common causes for anxiety are;

🔹 Blood Sugar Dysregulation Low blood sugar mimics a panic response. If your anxiety spikes mid-morning or late afternoon, this might be the culprit.

🔹 Gut-Brain Imbalance Your microbiome communicates with your brain via the vagus nerve. Dysbiosis, food sensitivities, or inflammation can directly affect your mood.

🔹 Hormonal Fluctuations Cortisol, thyroid hormones, estrogen, and progesterone all influence mood. Anxiety can flare before menstruation, postpartum, or during perimenopause.

🔹 Stress / Liver Qi Stagnation (TCM) This pattern reflects emotional bottling, repressed frustration, and a lack of smooth energy flow—often felt as tightness in the chest or sides of the ribs.

🔹 Overstimulation & Disconnection Modern life keeps us in a state of alert. Screens, notifications, and poor sleep disrupt the body’s ability to drop into parasympathetic (rest-and-digest) mode.

🔹 Trauma isn’t just what happened to you—it’s what happened inside you as a result. Whether it’s a single event (acute trauma) or ongoing stress (complex trauma), the body can hold onto these experiences long after the danger has passed.

When someone has PTSD or unresolved trauma:

• The amygdala becomes hypervigilant (always scanning for threats)

• The prefrontal cortex (rational thinking) becomes less active

• The nervous system stays in a chronic state of fight, flight, or freeze

This can lead to persistent anxiety, nightmares, emotional reactivity, and feeling disconnected from oneself or others.

Understanding our unique picture

Rarely is is there one cause, usually most symptoms of chronic disease are the accumulation of many factors. No two people experience anxiety the same way. Some feel it in the gut, others in the chest, others in the mind. Healing starts with mapping your personal pattern—so treatment can be personalized.

Ask yourself:

• Do I feel wired and restless—or tired but anxious?

• Is my anxiety constant, cyclical, or situational?

• Do I notice gut issues, sleep disturbances, or hormonal changes?

• What past experiences—physical, emotional, or spiritual—might be influencing my current state?

Your anxiety might stem from:

• Liver Qi stagnation (emotional stress) + blood sugar drops

• Low vagal tone (lack of Parasympathetic activity) + trauma history

• Overwork + Spleen Qi deficiency (digestive dysfunction)

• Nutrient depletion + thyroid imbalance

That’s why a root-cause approach matters.

Final Thoughts: Anxiety as an Invitation

Anxiety isn’t just a diagnosis—it’s a doorway (a symptom). A call back to regulation, rhythm, nourishment, and safety. By listening to the signals and exploring both the scientific and energetic sides of healing, you can transform anxiety from something that controls you into something that guides you.

Want support on your healing journey?
Book a consult with Dr. Atom to explore a personalized root-cause approach to anxiety.
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