My Body Sensations Scare Me: Anxiety Sensitivity #paigepradko

Summary

This video delves into anxiety sensitivity, a heightened perception of bodily sensations and emotions, often linked to conditions like panic disorder and health anxiety. Paige Pradko, a psychotherapist, explains that anxiety sensitivity is a fear of internal bodily sensations, which can lead to catastrophic thinking. The video explores the genetic and environmental factors contributing to this sensitivity and offers insights into treatments like cognitive behavior therapy, emphasizing the importance of not avoiding symptoms and learning to manage the fear response.

Takeaways

• 🔍 Anxiety sensitivity is the fear of internal bodily sensations associated with anxiety, leading to the belief that these sensations are dangerous and could result in disastrous outcomes.
• 🌟 Symptoms of anxiety can include a racing heart, difficulty breathing, and feelings of dizziness, among others.
• 🚫 People with high anxiety sensitivity may misinterpret these sensations as signs of a heart attack, stroke, or going insane, and fear social humiliation if these occur in public.
• 👀 Individuals without high anxiety sensitivity typically do not associate their symptoms with danger or fear, and do not become overly attentive to them.
• 🏃‍♀️ Those with high anxiety sensitivity may engage in avoidance behaviors or safety behaviors to prevent or alleviate anxiety symptoms.
• 🧬 Anxiety sensitivity is believed to be a result of a combination of genetic and environmental factors, with genes playing a role in brain structures that process threats.
• 👶 Early childhood experiences that lead to the belief that bodily sensations are dangerous can be key in developing anxiety sensitivity.
• 🧠 Research suggests that anxiety sensitivity influences the intensity of fear and anxiety responses, especially in individuals with PTSD.
• 🚫 The research does not support the idea that people with anxiety sensitivity experience more pain, but rather that they have a genetic makeup and misinterpretation of threats leading to increased attention to symptoms.
• 🛑 Treatment for anxiety sensitivity involves specific types of cognitive behavior therapy, including exposure and response prevention, and mindfulness and acceptance therapies.
• ⚠️ The use of benzodiazepines, particularly on an as-needed basis, may increase anxiety sensitivity and impair responses to other treatments like psychotherapy.

Q & A

What is anxiety sensitivity?

Anxiety sensitivity is the fear of internal bodily sensations associated with anxiety and the concern that they are dangerous and could lead to devastating outcomes.

Why is anxiety sensitivity important to understand?

Understanding anxiety sensitivity is important because it can help individuals recognize if they are at risk for developing anxiety disorders such as panic disorder, health anxiety, and agoraphobia.

How does anxiety sensitivity relate to panic disorder and other anxiety disorders?

Anxiety sensitivity can put individuals at risk for developing panic disorder, agoraphobia, and other anxiety disorders because it involves a fear of fear and misinterpretation of bodily sensations as dangerous.

What are some common anxiety symptoms that might be misinterpreted by someone with high anxiety sensitivity?

Common anxiety symptoms that might be misinterpreted include a racing heart, arrhythmia, palpitations, difficulty breathing, throat pressure, nausea, muscle tension, lightheadedness, and dizziness.

How do people without high anxiety sensitivity typically react to anxiety symptoms?

People without high anxiety sensitivity usually accept the sensations as anxiety-based and do not become overly attentive to those symptoms or associate them with danger, fear, or embarrassment.

What are some behaviors that people with high anxiety sensitivity might engage in to prevent or avoid anxiety symptoms?

People with high anxiety sensitivity might avoid exercise, certain places, or situations that cause anxiety. They might also engage in safety behaviors like having someone with them, carrying medication, or performing rituals to calm themselves down.

What role do genetic and environmental factors play in the development of anxiety sensitivity?

Anxiety sensitivity is believed to be a result of a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Genetic factors may influence brain structures involved in processing threats, while environmental factors can trigger or express these genetic predispositions.

How does anxiety sensitivity affect the intensity of fear and anxiety responses?

Research suggests that anxiety sensitivity plays a role in the amplitude or intensity of fear and anxiety responses, potentially making individuals with this trait more sensitive to bodily sensations and more likely to interpret them negatively.

What is the recommended treatment for anxiety sensitivity?

Recommended treatments for anxiety sensitivity include specific types of cognitive behavior therapy (CBT), such as sensitivity reduction methods, exposure therapy, response prevention therapy, and mindfulness and acceptance therapies.

Why might benzodiazepines be problematic for individuals with anxiety sensitivity?

Taking benzodiazepines, particularly on an as-needed basis, may lead to increased anxiety sensitivity over time and can impair one's response to alternative treatments like psychotherapy.

How can individuals with anxiety sensitivity learn to manage their symptoms?

Individuals with anxiety sensitivity can learn to manage their symptoms through evidence-based courses and practices that include response prevention, enteroceptive sensitivity conditioning, and mindfulness and acceptance-based techniques.

Outlines

00:00

🔍 Understanding Anxiety Sensitivity

This paragraph introduces the concept of anxiety sensitivity, which is the fear of internal bodily sensations associated with anxiety. It suggests that individuals with high anxiety sensitivity may experience sensations like a racing heart or breathing changes more intensely and may interpret these as signs of catastrophic outcomes. The paragraph emphasizes that anxiety sensitivity is a risk factor for developing anxiety disorders such as panic disorder, agoraphobia, and health anxiety. Paige Pradko, a psychotherapist, explains that anxiety sensitivity is a fear of fear itself and that it can lead to avoidance behaviors and safety behaviors, which can reinforce the anxiety cycle. The paragraph also provides resources for self-assessment and further information on treatment.

05:01

🧬 Genetic and Environmental Factors in Anxiety Sensitivity

The second paragraph delves into the origins of anxiety sensitivity, discussing how it can be influenced by a combination of genetic and environmental factors. It mentions that numerous genes may contribute to a person's risk of having high anxiety sensitivity, although the specific genes are not identified. The role of environmental factors, particularly early childhood experiences, is highlighted as they can shape a person's perception of bodily sensations as dangerous. The paragraph also references a study by McHugh and Associates that suggests anxiety sensitivity may amplify fear and anxiety responses, especially in individuals with PTSD. The discussion concludes with the idea that people with anxiety sensitivity not only perceive their sensations as dangerous but also feel them more intensely, leading to increased attention to these sensations.

10:02

🛡 Treatment Approaches for Anxiety Sensitivity

The final paragraph focuses on treatment options for anxiety sensitivity, particularly for conditions like panic disorder, agoraphobia, and health anxiety. It recommends specific types of cognitive behavior therapy (CBT), including sensitivity reduction methods such as interoceptive exposure therapy, exposure and response prevention therapy, and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT). The paragraph cautions against the use of benzodiazepines, which may increase anxiety sensitivity over time and impair responses to other treatments. Paige Pradko offers an evidence-based course to help individuals improve their sensitivity to anxiety symptoms through various techniques. The paragraph concludes with an invitation for viewers to engage with the content by leaving comments and questions, and to seek further information through provided resources.

Keywords

💡Anxiety Sensitivity

Anxiety sensitivity refers to the fear of internal bodily sensations associated with anxiety, with the concern that these sensations are dangerous and could lead to catastrophic outcomes. In the video, it is described as a key factor in the development of anxiety disorders such as panic disorder, health anxiety, and agoraphobia. The script explains that individuals with high anxiety sensitivity may interpret common anxiety symptoms, like a racing heart or difficulty breathing, as signs of a serious health crisis, leading to increased anxiety and avoidance behaviors.

💡Panic Disorder

Panic disorder is characterized by recurrent, unexpected panic attacks, which are sudden episodes of intense fear accompanied by physical symptoms like a racing heart or shortness of breath. The video discusses how anxiety sensitivity can increase the risk of developing panic disorder, as individuals may misinterpret their bodily sensations as signs of an impending panic attack, thus leading to a vicious cycle of fear and avoidance.

💡Agoraphobia

Agoraphobia is an anxiety disorder where individuals experience fear and anxiety about being in situations or places where escape might be difficult or help might not be available if they were to have a panic attack. The script mentions agoraphobia as a potential consequence of high anxiety sensitivity, where the fear of experiencing panic symptoms in public places leads to avoidance of such situations.

💡Health Anxiety

Health anxiety, also known as illness anxiety disorder, involves excessive worry about having a serious illness based on misinterpretation of bodily symptoms. The video script explains that individuals with health anxiety may have heightened anxiety sensitivity, leading them to catastrophize normal bodily sensations as signs of disease, which can result in frequent medical consultations and distress.

💡Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is a type of psychotherapy that focuses on identifying and changing negative thought patterns and behaviors. In the context of the video, CBT is recommended as a treatment for anxiety sensitivity and related disorders. The script outlines specific CBT techniques such as exposure therapy and response prevention, which aim to help individuals confront and reframe their fear of anxiety symptoms.

💡Enteroceptive Exposure Therapy

Enteroceptive exposure therapy is a specific type of exposure therapy that involves intentionally inducing the physical sensations associated with anxiety to help individuals learn that these sensations are not harmful. The video describes this as part of a treatment protocol for anxiety sensitivity, where individuals are encouraged to face their fear of bodily sensations without engaging in avoidance or safety-seeking behaviors.

💡Response Prevention

Response prevention is a therapeutic technique used in CBT to help individuals resist the urge to engage in compulsive behaviors or rituals that temporarily reduce anxiety but ultimately maintain the fear. The script mentions response prevention as a key component in treating anxiety sensitivity, where individuals learn to tolerate anxiety symptoms without resorting to reassurance-seeking or avoidance.

💡Mindfulness and Acceptance Therapies

Mindfulness and acceptance therapies involve learning to be present in the moment and accepting one's thoughts and feelings without judgment. The video script discusses these therapies as part of the treatment for anxiety sensitivity, helping individuals to acknowledge and accept their anxiety symptoms without reacting to them with fear or avoidance.

💡Benzodiazepines

Benzodiazepines are a class of medications commonly used to treat anxiety disorders due to their anxiolytic effects. However, the video script cautions that using benzodiazepines, especially on an as-needed basis, may lead to increased anxiety sensitivity over time and can impair one's response to other treatments like psychotherapy. This highlights the importance of considering the long-term effects of medication use in the context of anxiety sensitivity.

💡Genetic Predisposition

Genetic predisposition refers to the increased likelihood of developing a certain condition due to an individual's genetic makeup. The video discusses how anxiety sensitivity may have a genetic component, with research suggesting that certain genes may make a person more susceptible to experiencing high anxiety sensitivity. This genetic predisposition, combined with environmental factors, can contribute to the development of anxiety disorders.

Highlights

Anxiety sensitivity is the fear of internal bodily sensations associated with anxiety and the concern that they're dangerous.

Anxiety symptoms may include a racing heart, difficulty breathing, and muscle tension, among others.

Having anxiety sensitivity puts you at risk for developing panic disorder, agoraphobia, and other anxiety disorders.

People without high anxiety sensitivity accept bodily sensations as anxiety-based and don't become overly attentive to them.

Individuals with high anxiety sensitivity may avoid situations or places that trigger anxiety and engage in safety behaviors.

Anxiety sensitivity may be a result of a combination of genetic and environmental factors.

Early childhood experiences that cause a person to believe their bodily sensations are dangerous can contribute to anxiety sensitivity.

Anxiety sensitivity plays a role in the intensity of fear and anxiety responses, especially in individuals with PTSD.

People with anxiety sensitivity not only interpret their sensations as dangerous but also feel things in their body more intensely.

Research supports the genetic makeup and misinterpretation of threat as causes of anxiety sensitivity, rather than increased pain sensitivity.

To treat anxiety sensitivity, specific types of CBT, including exposure and mindfulness therapies, are recommended.

Benzodiazepines, particularly when used as needed, may increase anxiety sensitivity and impair responses to other treatments.

Therapies for anxiety sensitivity aim to reduce sensitivity and help individuals learn to manage their anxiety symptoms.

Self-assessments and evidence-based courses can help individuals with health anxiety, panic disorder, and agoraphobia.

Anxiety sensitivity greatly affects people's quality of life, and more research is needed to fully understand and treat it.

Transcripts

foreign do you think that you feel

Sensations in your body and even

emotions more intensely than other

people maybe you notice Sensations in

your body like movements in your heart

breathing changes or even as I said even

emotions feel more intense If you

experience this kind of hypersensitivity

to bodily Sensations or emotions or of a

history of high anxiety panic attacks

agoraphobia or health anxiety Then This

video on anxiety sensitivity is

important for you I'm going to describe

what anxiety sensitivity is why it's

important and how it relates to panic

disorder health anxiety and other

anxiety disorders I'm also going to talk

about how to treat it hi I'm Paige

pradko a practicing psychotherapist that

specializes in treating people with

anxiety conditions like Panic

agoraphobia health anxiety and OCD

welcome to therapy for a better life if

you're wondering if you have health

anxiety panic disorder or agoraphobia I

left you links for free self-assessments

in the description below and if you'd

like more information and helpful tips

for treatment please join my newsletter

by going to pagepradco.com

so what is anxiety sensitivity anxiety

sensitivity is the fear of internal

bodily Sensations associated with

anxiety and the concern or the

interpretation that they're dangerous

and could lead to devastating outcomes

anxiety symptoms may include a racing

heart arrhythmia palpitations

skipped beats difficulty breathing

throat pressure lump in the throat

nausea digestion problems

tingling Sensations muscle muscle

tension

lightheadedness dizziness disassociation

symptoms like derealization and

depersonalization

level anxiety sensitivity is a fear or

anxiety it's basically a fear of fear

having anxiety sensitivity puts you at

risk for developing an anxiety disorder

it could put you at risk for developing

panic disorder agoraphobia somatic

symptoms illness anxiety disorder

you know people interpret the intensity

in their Sensations as something

catastrophic that they might possibly be

having a heart attack or a stroke they

might go insane or crazy they also fear

sometimes being socially humiliated if

this happens in front of other people

now people without high anxiety

sensitivity accept those Sensations as

anxiety based and they don't become

overly attentive to those symptoms they

don't associate the symptoms with danger

fear embarrassment or a warning sign

that something catastrophic might be

occurring

people with high anxiety sensitivity not

only fear those symptoms but they also

begin to react to their symptoms and

bodily Sensations by doing certain

behaviors to prevent or avoid having

those symptoms if this relates to you

you may be avoiding things like exercise

going certain places where you might

feel anxious or panicked and you might

have safety behaviors like having

somebody with you having medication or

water or snacks

staying within proximity to a hospital

or you might perform certain rituals or

compulsions to calm yourself down you

might breathe a certain way check your

pulse take your blood pressure call your

doctors Google research symptoms any way

to get reassurance

all those reactionary or preventative

behaviors only reinforce and strengthen

your anxiety cycle

this can cause you more suffering in the

long run so why do you have anxiety

sensitivity were you born with it did

you get it from trauma learn it develop

it in childhood

well behavioral genetic twin studies by

Brown and Associates in 2012 show that

anxiety sensitivity is a result of a

combination of genetic and environmental

factors it appears that numerous genes

are involved and incrementally add to a

person's risk for having high anxiety

sensitivity but the actual genes

themselves are unknown so researchers

believe that the genes likely play a

role in the brain structures that are

involved in processing a threat

so however environmental factors are

involved as well and those usually serve

to you know Trigger or Express the

genetics the genes learning can play a

role too especially in early childhood

experiences that cause a person to

believe that their bodily Sensations are

dangerous is is key and as a therapist

that specializes in anxiety conditions

including health anxiety I notice most

of my clients experience some type of

health related trauma either personally

or witnessing it in someone they love

now a study by McHugh and Associates in

2017 suggests that anxiety sensitivity

plays a role in the amplitude or

intensity of fear and anxiety responses

experienced by individual individuals

with PTSD

now they may have been born with the

genetic predisposition and then the

trauma expressed the genetics the genes

anxiety sensitivity was the result so

I'm convinced that people with anxiety

sensitivity not only interpret their

sensation as as dangerous but feel

things in their body more intensely than

other people without anxiety sensitivity

and this intensity and negative

interpretation caused them to attend to

the sensations as well

I could find plenty of research

supporting the genetics and the

environmental factors of origin and the

negative or misinterpretations of their

Sensations and their increased attending

to their bodily Sensations all playing

important roles but I was surprised that

I could not find research supporting the

idea that people with anxiety

sensitivity have actually more pain or

feel more pain feel things uh you know

that they are experiencing more pain the

research supports the Notions that their

genetic makeup and their

misinterpretation of the threat and then

they're over attention to the symptoms

is what's causing the problem so if you

knew that okay it seems I have this

genetic trait of anxiety sensitivity

that means I'm going to be sensitive to

symptoms associated with anxiety in my

body and because of that it seems that I

might have the tendency to think that

these things are more dangerous

I'm gonna have to override those

Sensations override those urges to get

reassurance and check my body symptoms

or avoid things now I have to put a

disclaimer in here that first I do

advise you to seek out medical advice

I'm speaking to those who have already

done that and they're told that nothing

is wrong yet your body and your brain

are screaming telling you something is

wrong you're going to have to override

those urges and allow your brain to

learn that those even though you have

those symptoms and Sensations you're

safe there's still so much unknown and

yet this trait and experience of anxiety

sensitivity is real and it greatly

affects people's quality of life

I look forward to reading more research

as we you know go along and putting

really all these puzzles together

so how do we treat anxiety sensitivity

for conditions like panic disorder

agoraphobia and health anxiety

a recommended treatment protocol

includes very specific types of CBT

cognitive behavior therapy these

treatments include sensitivity reduction

methods like enteroceptive exposure

therapy exposure and response prevention

therapy and also act therapies which is

mindfulness and acceptance Therapies in

addition to these sensitivity reduction

therapies researchers fava and

Associates and Westra and Associates

have documented that taking

benzodiazepines particularly on an as

needed basis may lead to increased

anxiety sensitivity over time and may

impairs one's response to Alternative

treatments like Psychotherapy so if you

need help with panic attacks agoraphobia

or health anxiety I do have an effective

evidence-based course that will help you

learn to improve your sensitivity to

anxiety symptoms through the practice of

several techniques like response

prevention

enteroceptive sensitivity conditioning

and mindfulness and acceptance based

techniques so if you're wondering if you

have health anxiety panic disorder

agoraphobia I left you these free

self-assessment links to

self-assessments below and if you'd like

more information and helpful tips for

treatment please subscribe to my YouTube

channel join my newsletter by going to

pagepradco.com

please leave me your comments and your

questions below I would love to know how

you experience anxiety sensitivity and

how you're doing until next time I'll

see you in session take care bye-bye