Claire Weekes: it's just adrenaline, NOT your thoughts, making you anxious

Even in your worst anxiety attack or your most heavy setback, it is not your thoughts making you scared, it's plain old adrenaline!
This is what set Dr Claire Weekes apart from everyone else. She identified that anxiety is not a disease of the brain, but simply a tired nervous system tricking you into getting involved in anxious thinking.
That is what I unpack in this video.
Need more support?
Find out more about Anxiety Recovery Coaching with Sam and book your 60 or 30 minute session here:
openchange.com.au/anxiety-coa...
Or watch this video to learn more:
• What is Anxiety Recove...
As always, please seek professional support in your area if you feel you need immediate help.

[@openchangeau]

Do you need more support? Book your 60 or 30 min anxiety recovery coaching session here openchange.com.au/anxiety-coaching/

[@PadajDeszczu]

After I ate a bucket of KFC I felt lonely depressed and anxious. I went and vomited it and instantly felt 100% fine sane and healthy.

[@johnlovesyoko]

Dr.Claire Weekes saved my bacon 20 yrs ago. I will never forget her method.

[@openchangeau]

Great to hear!

[@CJCox-l8d]

Thank you for this. This video helped me realize that I need to give my nervous system a break.

[@openchangeau]

Glad it helped!

[@stevelanghorn1407]

This is brilliantly explained…and also reassuring, speaking as a 63 year old male who has suffered very scary & debilitating so-called ? “panic attacks” / “cardiac scares” repeatedly for the last decade or more. Very life-limiting due to the fact that they’re also tied-up with some genuine physical heart issues. But the Adrenaline / Cotisol system is definitely a huge factor.

[@openchangeau]

I'm glad you find it helpful. I often work with clients who have other physical health issues to help them separate out practical health decisions from the anxiety about these conditions which seems to work well.

[@1STBUCKLEY]

She was ahead of her time

[@openchangeau]

Absolutely!

[@ConsciousGrowing]

What a smart break down of it all Sam. I felt an immediate relief while listening.

[@openchangeau]

That's great to hear!

[@justmadeit2]

Some people have things that bother them or they feel they can’t get over, it’s a real difficult thing to deal with where your self esteem is permanently rock bottom

[@openchangeau]

Yes it is hard, but part of what I teach is how to let go of the worries, problems or anxieties that bother you so you can recover.

[@lorenzo9468]

Excellent reminder. Thank you! 🙏

[@openchangeau]

My pleasure

[@fabioarturospada4178]

Over the past few weeks I've tried deep reflection, daily meditation and emotional work. I'm just a layman with moderate anxiety, and this is just a conjecture, but over these weeks, and due to the things I'm doing, I've been entertaining the idea that specific thoughts and topics are not the causes of anxiety, but rather that our minds, when they are already in an anxious state, pick and choose certain topics to latch onto and imprint the emotional texture of anxiety on. This makes so, so much sense in that light. Perhaps the anxious state of the mind can be explained primarily through adrenaline... This would also help explain why, so often, anxious thoughts occur on account of vague things we have no say or control over (in practical, actionable terms). I'll be sure to take a look at some of Dr. Weekes' books and talk this through with my therapist. Thank you for this straightforward, thought-provoking video. Cheers!

[@openchangeau]

Yes, you have summarised this well so enjoy the videos and the reading.

[@victoribarbo2709]

This relates to me so much. I have a burnout right now and sometimes get thoughts like “oh what if I can’t stop with stressing and i will never recover” i know this is just a thought and try to step away from and go on with my business, but it is sometimes really hard to do that because the physical feeling remains (especially because my stress system is over worked of course). And this physical feeling also causes me to remind me of the thought that caused the stress reaction.

[@openchangeau]

Yes it is hard to do but it just takes practice. This 30 min video where I teach you how to practice might help kzbin.infoHxw4R5Ty9_U?si=eOI8fFkH-TPXuoR0

[@user-fd6ms6nj5r]

Recently found your channel Samuel and it’s really helpful and simplified. I’m a big fan of Claire Weekes work. Her audiobook has helped decrease my anxiety significantly in the last 6 months. It takes work but it’s given me real hope I can eventually calm my system. Thankyou 🌞

[@openchangeau]

Happy to help!

[@ASCIWhite2007]

I am struggling with a dysregulated nervesystem from 18 years of Effexor use. I am now in prolonged withdrawal. I used 6 months to taper down from 150mg to 0 but I am still struggling 5 months into recovery. And this is what I tell myself when I have waves of cortisol release. I am getting better week by week, but this takes TIME. and it is difficult not to fall into more anxiety because of all the weird happenings in my nervous system. Too much to write here, but it is one hell of a ride that I wouldn`t want on my worst enemy. It is getting better, though. First 3 months were hellish.

[@openchangeau]

Great to hear you are on your journey to recovery and as you say we must be patient with time, as hard as that is sometimes.

[@intensifiedathlete1384]

Great reminder

[@joesphbegley3088]

Dare is based on the work of Claire Weekes. She had the answer to anxiety and how to treat it 60 years ago. She is on KZbin and her books are on Amazon.

[@stormtraders]

Apart from anxiety i have constant shortness of breath/air hunger. Can anyone relate? It’s always there unlike many who only have it during a panic attacks

[@stuford]

Yes, I get the same thing...shortness of breath that come and goes and other symptoms too...horrible isnt it? You are not alone though!

[@mysticalfire1059]

I feel them as well. It’s a weird constant despite my doctors saying everything is okay

[@miasorry]

@@mysticalfire1059air hunger is a symptom of anxiety. That symptom is a lie though! Next time it happens, say oh well, so what and keep moving on with life. You’ve already lived through how many episodes? Many I bet, I know, same here! Engage back with life and you’ll soon forget that you ever had those symptoms. You’re brain is thinking that There is something threatening, it sends the signal ( air hunger) you pay attention to it and bingo ( you start becoming scared) thus triggering and falling into the trap of anxiety. Get the DARE BOOK.

[@openchangeau]

Unpleasant, but totally normal and not serious caused by your sensitised nervous system. In this, video I describe how to deal with both the symptom but also the thoughts about it kzbin.info/www/bejne/jYG8d2uHpt-fpsksi=7esZEPfsk4q_y3Dh

[@stormtraders]

@@openchangeau thnx alot!

[@jangoodwin4196]

Thank you so much!

[@openchangeau]

You're welcome!

[@nickvantastiq1848]

This! Exactly this! This is what I try to explained so many people… so; we have to keep calm. Know that we are okay! Or feel actually excited by it…the adrenaline feels the same as being excited! You can use it to be productive, but in a balanced way! Great to stumble upon your videos; new follower here!

[@openchangeau]

Welcome - glad you to have you as part of the community!

[@edsparky7512]

Excellent ... TY ... much appreciated

[@openchangeau]

No worries!

[@heathergrouden1205]

Thank you. Really useful 😊

[@openchangeau]

You're welcome 😊

[@richardsnyder6413]

Gratitude 🙏

[@openchangeau]

Welcome!

[@bradford_shaun_murray]

That's a really helpful perspective very wise, I needed to be reminded of this. Thanks!

[@openchangeau]

Reminders are hugely important during recovery so glad it helped.

[@Grandpa_Boxer]

This is a fantastic perspective!! Thoughts can be like "wild hogs" rushing at you. Meditation can be helpful here as well.

[@openchangeau]

Absolutely - a lot my clients regularly use this meditation kzbin.info/www/bejne/a3KwZYehqtWmiKcsi=70oWczxrfgXntAM2

[@caroledrury1411]

Wow that’s an eye-opener! How fascinating. It really rings true. It’s a bit like the chicken and the egg syndrome but having just experienced the physical adrenaline , I completely agree with you. I went to go get married and live in Ireland and it didn’t work out. It turned into a nightmare. I’ve been home eight months now in Vermont, very comfortable, very relaxed home but filled with anxiety. It’s not my thoughts it’s my body still fearing danger. I guess it’ll only take time.

[@openchangeau]

Yes it takes time but it does get better and so I'm glad the video resonated with you.

[@rhysh2639]

I've noticed that my symptoms are much worse during the work day than they are during the evening or on weekends. Today at work, I felt like everything was abnormal and that life didn't make sense to me. No panic attacks but I felt weird and uncomfortable. I just got on with the day as usual and allowed the symptoms to be there.

[@openchangeau]

Totally normal to have days like this, but great to hear you still got on with your day and allowed the symptoms to be there - great success.

[@adamarmstrong9408]

Same here straight when I wake up until I get home from work, it's just anxiety, but I've recently upped my meds and I think there helping me

[@lalanellie8396]

Wow! 😮😊😊

[@tracystandish3420]

I'm so sick of Leaving this way, this has taken over my life. I wake up with high anxiety and it doesn't stop all day. It's so exhausting I can't make it through the day without laying down. Do you think my anxiety has turned into shutdown or burn out?

[@anjac.6817]

same like me. Only that I have to go to work.

[@melaniebrooke01]

Omg I feel exactly the same as you do. From the moment I open my eyes the anxiety is there. It's constant and I can't see a way out. I'm literally begging for help but nobody understands. GPS ask are you suicidal or do you have thoughts to end your life. Yes I do on a daily basis. Still not given any help. Can't go in much longer. It's a living nightmare . I hope things change fir you and you get the help you need ❤

[@openchangeau]

Yes it extremely exhausting Tracy and it's normal to get super frustrated with it. My Anxiety Cure Video series is design to help people like yourself completely recovery, so it no longer takes over your life, so I if you haven't already I encourage you to watch it in full and see how you go applying the tools I recommend kzbin.info/aero/PLRWr4VF71u_8jsOLbTX5n1P647oEl0z0b&si=Y6EyfE4HiaK0pVr7

[@happydays1384]

I'm the exact same, once my eyes open its instant race time, all systems go. I hate it. Lives with me and has taken over my life. My whole world revolves around trying to keep calm, relaxed and at peace. Heart constantly races, chest feels like an elephant is sitting on it, lower back is in constant pain and tightness and legs are so tight and constant cramps. I'm forever doing breathing exercises, working out, stretching, cold plunges etc etc etc. Hate it so much. It's like I'm trapped and I have a dirty secret that no one will understand. Desperate to break free and truly live in peace. Enough is enough. Hope we can all conquer this because I know EXACTLY how your feeling. Total suffering! Vigilant, on edge, no energy, over thinking/ worrying, stressed out, tired then this all leads to anxiety, unworthiness, self negative inner critical thoughts and such a low quality life. Social anxiety is a killer for me

[@ash_gamer2136]

Might sound silly but consider your nutrition, habits, and anything you do ofc, i had mild anxiey and i found that the carnivore diet + intermittent fast reduced my anxiety to basically zero, had better mental clarity, just felt amazing in general, also with an active routine such as running, gym can contribute immensely

[@kathypandelly975]

I am a 65yr old female..You are so right when you asked, do you worry about any of these thing when your not in the throws of a panic attack? My answer is NO! I have had anxiety most of my life, with severe panic attacks. I'm on medication, anti dep, for years and they have really helped. But now my anxiety, etc is back and I don't know why...it's starting to affect my daily life. I really think your take on anxiety can help me. Is there a program or such I can follow or join? I need it! Thanks, Kathy

[@openchangeau]

Yes Kathy, here are some options & glad this video helped: 1. Watch my whole Anxiety Cure Series kzbin.info/aero/PLRWr4VF71u_8jsOLbTX5n1P647oEl0z0b&si=WbbF9OGWHE4j8fHB 2. Subscribe to my blog here openchange.com.au/anxiety-coaching/ 3. Recovery coaching - you can also book a coaching session with me via the above link.

[@Truerealism747]

More adrenalin in hypomobility Asperger's causation for anxiety j eccles this needs more folks to be diagnosed

[@carolinekelly8481]

If the energy jitters just acknowledged the symptom and it will burn itself out ! Just don’t attach danger because that escalates the symptoms

[@openchangeau]

Yes, exactly!

[@vincentconnell1283]

It could be that our thoughts are causing the surge of adrenaline, which in turn makes us anxious. I have never ever experienced anxiety and have positive, hopeful thoughts at the same time.

[@openchangeau]

People in the anxiety state, worry about things they did use to or that others without anxiety don't worry about. The difference is a sensitised nervous system that releases adrenaline even with otherwise harmless thoughts.

[@Truerealism747]

So you never had anxiety?

[@pakrat87]

You are a wonderful man Sam. Each of your videos should have 100,000 or more views. I would love to pay for a session with you soon, when money becomes available! Quick question. I feel like I have a slow anxiety drip as you call it. 3/10 anxiety for 12 hours at a time. It mostly disappears at night. In recovery is it normal to obsess on the subject nearly all day? I often feel that if I didn’t think about it, I wouldn’t have it.

[@openchangeau]

Treat the obsessive thinking about the slow drip as just another symptom to practice with. It's great that you are enjoying more peaceful nights.

[@marthasisco9678]

Why after stopping the meds are my vision so blurry still and brain feel so different? I need these videos no one understands me. Meds triggered these things off in me two months ago so i stopped taking them so now i working to get back to normal

[@openchangeau]

The symptoms and your nervous system take time to adjust and during withdrawel, it's normal for anxiety symptoms to intensity before they start to reduce

[@Ryy22]

I think its both, thoughts or life events cause the fatigue or are the catalyst, then the system gets sensitized and the thoughts or life stressors/ruminating play a more minor role or are more of a downstream effect of the adrenaline surging. Cognitive restructuring is definitly needed to prevent future setbacks into the cycle again or some form of burnout. You said if you dont have the corresponding feeling, often times the feeling starts snowballing because of the possible meaning we attribute to it no, do you agree/disagree? If so why or why not

[@openchangeau]

Yes, through habit, even if we are calm one moment, the mind can search for things to worry about, which can then trigger negative feelings and tip you back into a 'worry cycle' - but ultimately if the negative feeling, or adrenaline didn't arise, we would not get so worried about the thought, event or situation.

[@Ryy22]

@@openchangeau But this then becomes a chicken or the egg story? Which comes first? Is it always the adrenaline causing negative interpretation of thoughts, or is it the other way around? You can be very very calm, but if I tell you your mother is in the hospital with a bad car accident, the adrenaline will start flowing immediatly

[@rhysh2639]

​@@Ryy22Basically the body's cortisol levels are elevated due to external stressors, such as work, a life event, lack of sleep, or just generally being too busy and not giving the body enough time to rest and de-stress. When cortisol levels are elevated, adrenaline levels also increase and our nervous system becomes sensitive, which makes our brains switch to high-alert mode (even though there is NO danger). When we're in that high-alert state, the brain is searching for potential problems/dangers, this is when the intrusive thoughts come in. It can take one thought to trigger a panic attack (which is fight-or-flight (or freeze) mode. People assume that their thoughts are the problem, so they end up getting trapped in those obsessive thought patterns and the body stays in high-alert mode, a.k.a. anxiety (which can result in ocd, panic disorders, depression, depersonalisation/derealisation, etc.) At the very core, it's all because we're stuck in that anxiety (high alert) state. It's possible to get ourselves out of that state and recover completely (as Sam teaches in these videos), although it does take practice, patience and time. Recovery doesn't happen overnight....but it is definitely possible!

[@logan2591]

This is true, i also have a slow COMT Gene, which means my body is very slow to get rid of adrenaline and other fight or flight hormones, avoiding caffeine, nicotine and other stimulants which release adrenaline is good for me, i need to stop drinking so much caffeine lol

[@openchangeau]

Being patient with time as the stress hormones dissipate is super important

[@smallboy4423]

I cannot fight this evil illness.. i lose my job, i cannot go out from house without panic.. even i want to take a shower, its so difficult for me.. i cry for help but my family scolded me stop being crybaby, etc... help me.. i really don't know what to do.. went in and out from the er but they told me its nothing, they said its all in my head but i still don't believe them.. i been suffering quite long..

[@openchangeau]

Please watch the Anxiety Cure Videos to help you take back control of your recovery kzbin.info/aero/PLRWr4VF71u_8jsOLbTX5n1P647oEl0z0b&si=cd4ch0rlKdybh13G

[@purplefire5]

TRIGGER WARNING FOR THOSE WITH OCD I’M ABOUT TO MENTION MY OBSESSION. So I have a question, my OCD has been in remission for years but recently the very first obsession I had has come back up which is “what if you can’t socialize normally anymore and you freeze during social situations and have nothing to say, and then people will dislike you and think you’re weird” I tried not to react to the thought but did respond with a bit of anxiety. What do I do about the OCD symptoms? This thought is relentless during social situations and i’m actually starting to freeze now and can’t think of anything to say and then I panic more. it’s like my obsession is coming true and it’s painful because I also have social anxiety and I’ve been making progress so this really has me stuck. Thanks for your help!

[@openchangeau]

As hard as it is to experience, this is simply a return of old symptoms. I have a number of videos on obsessive and intrusive thinking so this might help kzbin.info/www/bejne/e5mqpWl7ltp2l5Ysi=K-v-Okc1J3fhWt74

[@wzupppp]

why do i get adrenaline rushes at night?

[@openchangeau]

We just become more aware of it at night as we slow down and are not distracted by being busy. All completely harmless, even thought it's disconcerting. A lot of my clients listen to this guided mindfulness exercise to help kzbin.info/www/bejne/a3KwZYehqtWmiKcsi=1ZKK7gM7oB-tEyZI

[@ArchanaSingh-mf8ys]

Hi samuel while going into deep sleep or about to sleep i feel so many symptoms like one day jerks other day chest pain heart palpitations, random thoughts someday.. is this all part of anxiety pls answer i really need help

[@openchangeau]

Yes it's just anxiety - your nervous system is tired and in 'high alert' mode, so when you start to relax and fall asleep, it's normal for the nervous system to jerk you back awake, and trigger different symptoms like palpitations. They ease over time with practice.

[@ArchanaSingh-mf8ys]

@@openchangeau thank you so much can you please advice what practice should i follow ..

[@ArchanaSingh-mf8ys]

@@openchangeau thank you so much for your reply.. can you please suggest what practice should i follow i am from india here i cant get much help only medications which i refuse to take ..

[@openchangeau]

You can always book in a coaching session with me openchange.com.au/anxiety-coaching/ and watch the whole Anxiety Cure Video series kzbin.info/aero/PLRWr4VF71u_8jsOLbTX5n1P647oEl0z0b&si=cd4ch0rlKdybh13G

[@briechilli4496]

Is it good to move your body, swing your arms ? Or walk to Burn off the adrenaline ?

[@nickvantastiq1848]

Always!

[@openchangeau]

Yes, exercise is a great tool to help regulate the nervous system - just don't use exercise too try and 'get rid' of the anxiety, as that gets you back into the fear cycle. I explain more here kzbin.info/www/bejne/roCuqWmpjN9pZsksi=ox6W_oM-_N_4RR-P

[@f4llenstarr]

So what practice can we use here?

[@Grandpa_Boxer]

Meditation has helped me beyond words.

[@openchangeau]

Start with this video kzbin.info/www/bejne/jYG8d2uHpt-fpsksi=qiUykWbUk81M5ebK

[@dommccaffry3802]

So if mind is causing adrenaline with thoughts , then how is knowing its adrenaline help? The mind will still run the same thoughts which will still cause the same adrenaline which will still cause the same symptoms ??

[@openchangeau]

This knowledge allows you to not take the anxious thoughts so seriously or get totally lost in spiral of worry so you can learn to react differently as I explain in this video kzbin.info/www/bejne/jYG8d2uHpt-fpsksi=1Y5ZuZMZOgH2a9p1

[@PadajDeszczu]

i think adrenaline comes first and then come thoughts.

[@somethinggood-sy1ed]

So how do I stop the adrenaline

[@openchangeau]

We never try to stop it - we do this instead kzbin.info/www/bejne/jYG8d2uHpt-fpsksi=AoE2Z6g3ruTWNJX3

[@pjprevite3021]

Can you help me 1on1 by chance?

[@openchangeau]

Yes of course, you can book a coaching session with me here openchange.com.au/anxiety-coaching/

[@mikejohn2307]

This isn't quite accurate. The thought actually is the thing that starts the adreanaline. Fear of adrenaline symptoms is the second fear that generates a vicious spiral. Claire Weekes teaching was to accept the second fear to prevent the spiral.

[@openchangeau]

Yes, thoughts can trigger the adrenaline release (1st fear), but it's the sustained release of adrenaline that tricks us into continual worrying about the thought (2nd fear). And you are right about needing to accept the second fear after we have reacted.

[@rhysh2639]

To be honest, when I am feeling completely calm there are absolutely NO thoughts that bother me or cause a stress response. There has to be at least some stress/tension present to begin with in order for me to get triggered by a thought....so this lines up perfectly with what Sam is saying here.

[@WisdomWeaverBitcoinBruv]

This presents a false dichotomy and oversimplifies the complex relationship between physiological responses and cognitive processes in anxiety. Anxiety is typically the result of an interplay between physical sensations (like adrenaline) and thoughts or cognitive interpretations of those sensations.

[@openchangeau]

The anxiety state is simply a logical and predictable outcome resulting from sustained periods of stress. There is very little that is complex about it. In fact, the false perception that anxiety is a 'complex mental illness' unfortunately stops many people from recovering.