In the Anxiety Disorders--How the Amygdala Learns to Quiet Down

[@foxylovelace2679]

Sending this video to my amygdala.

[@jpage99999]

I’ve been doing this all wrong. As soon as I get an intrusive thought, or despairing image, or an “oh oh thought”, I jump in with the thinking brain, prefrontal cortex and try to explain, rationalize, persuade, convince, prove that it was just a thought, my amygdala wants no part of it, absolutely no part of it. The amygdala is like, we are in a five alarm fire and you want to tell me to calm down? Not not gonna happen. You have to stop all thinking, all dialogue, all persuasion, and let the amygdala see the experience for what it is, because once the amygdala is triggered, there is no communication happening between the two.

[@Havasu1976]

Doing better with that practice now?

[@jpage99999]

@@Havasu1976 no still struggling my friend. It’s a bad habit. I get flooded with panic and anxiety and I want to do something to make it go away. Sitting and being quiet 🤫 is the hardest thing to do but I can do it. How about you?

[@Havasu1976]

@@jpage99999 we'll get there, my friend. Let's keep practicing in a relaxed way.

[@SuspiciousFace]

Please don’t use God’s most Holy name in vain.

[@jpage99999]

@@SuspiciousFace changed it

[@Ash_Hudson]

The amygdala’s main function seems to be to ruin my life at this point.

[@hereshoping6992]

Same , you think your brain would be your friends

[@johnnn5592]

How peaceful life would be if we could take our brains out when we want to

[@scorpiogrrl9]

Same . It’s been ruining my life for 6 years now

[@maxwell3578]

It's probably your frontal lobes not doing its job right.

[@noc3829]

Facts :(

[@19111959]

Dr Reid Wison..you have a GIFT for communication and getting to the CRUX of the matter... 'Habituation' is THE KEY to success...and here you've explained it brilliantly and simply... I've noticed the same for your other videos... you're a genius! God bless...❤

[@TexasRedOutlaw]

In my early 20s I was taking every drug on the planet, I considered myself a 'psychonaut' where I was just adventuring and discovering my brain through psychoactive substances, although this period had its positive moments and was very educational for discovering my inner identity, I was arrogant and took it too far, specifically on stimulants. Eventually stimulants and weed just made me feel anxious, so I stopped taking them but never really thought anything of it. Fast foward to 2017, I had stopped doing drugs completely after a pretty traumatic life experiance where I was completely emasculated and stressed beyond belief, and yet I started to notice this 'sense of doom' I had no idea what caused it, first time it happened I was eating a burger and heard this weird sound in my stomach, and then I felt DOOM and I thought my stomach had fucking imploded or something, but I calmed down after a bit, eventually after a few more times of this happening I found the culprit, tea! I had drunk loads of tea my entire life, but now it was suddenly triggering this feeling? Hm, caffiene sensitivity perhaps, but I wasn't going to let a little panic get in the way of my life, I knew what it was now, so it won't bother me as much, anymore. I'll buy a mocha on the way to a play with my friends, what could happen? That mocha was the trigger of my first (and most severe) panic attack of my life, I was watching the play as normal when suddenly I felt the sense of doom in my head, and then a tightening in my chest, I lurched over in my seat, heart beat racing like crazy, I was caught between two minds, is this a panic attack? Or is this a heart attack? I couldn't be sure so I just waited, agonisingly waiting while feeling like I'm gonna pass out soon, until I could get to the toilet, I threw up, I emptied my bowels, and yet still this terrible feeling remained. Eventually the doom feeling went enough for me to calm a little, but my heart was still racing, I was so fatigued, completely exhausted, me and my friends went home and the bus ride home was daunting and horrible, my friends wanted to continue to the pub so I went, I didn't drink but I had food, the food helped but then I felt panic again, I would go to the toilet 5 or 6 times just telling my friends I felt ill, but really I was just sitting on the toilet or washing my face in the sink trying to cope with this horrible feeling. On the walk back home we passed a hospital, I seriously considered going in, but by this point I was sure the worst of it was over and didn't want to worry anyone or overreact. I managed to sleep eventually. From that moment, fear took over my life, the first few days, going up stairs scared me cause I thought I might have a heart problem, I went to the doctors, they said my blood pressure and heart rate was fine, they gave me anti-anxiety pills to take that stop adrenaline, I took one pill, panic attack but without adrenaline? weird, never again, no drugs, drugs trigger me, caffiene triggers me. Slowly I did recover but I would occasionaly have an attack for seemingly no reason, usually after I eat some food, I guess due the the blood sugar levels and heart rate, eventually I got this under control, I learnt about CBT and learnt to break the cycle during a panic attack, to practice self control, to let the feelings flow over me and not continue to have thoughts, this was a breakthough and I did slowly get my life back with less attacks over time. Nowadays I don't really have true panic attacks, I've cut out caffiene from my life which is fine by me, but I do get the same sense of doom when I try to do cardio exercise but I can always calm down pretty quickly, sometimes indigestion will trigger some heart palpitations too, so I try to eat a lighter and healthy diet similar to someone with IBS, I'm trying to become more athletic in the hope this is the final hurdle to overcome, if I can do cardio and not feel any panic, I know I have overcome this. Its been a journey, but I want you all to know that you can do it too, there is no monster in your head, your amygdala is part of you, stop presenting your panic as an 'other' and start taking responsibility for your life, take control back, be the best version of yourself, you owe it to yourself. When me and you finally overcome this, we will be stronger for it. I believe in you, so keep fighting, keep moving forward.

[@k-counseling7289]

thalamus - amygdala (hind brain) - hypothalamus - adrenal glands ...response to a thought. frontal cortex - amygdala(yes ma’am) economy of action. does what it must do - only has one alarm button without conscious awareness.

[@Poetry4Peace]

Tru dat 😔☹️ mine is sooobbiiig

[@mmganesh6087]

Hello I had read your book decades ago. I just found the title interesting and I was surprised to see the word Reid Wilson... Ah! Glad to see and hear you .

[@bettina_s]

Who needs my amygdala? Cause I don't.

[@kristizere8977]

Can we change ? 😂

[@darrenj6688]

Live Reid Wilson. He's the straw when I'm underwater

[@retrox64games]

I've noticed that the more you challenge the uncertainty, sometmies the thought just pops up more mildly, like oh yeah it was just that, k whatever, similar to when we are thinking hard to remember something but the minute we let go it usually just comes back to us, i see this as fighting the wave of thought vs just letting it flow and it comes to us with ease, almost everything within the mind can be viewed as paradoxical. For example, you try to think your way out of a disturbing thought that may have caused anxiety, yet you want to stop thinking, so you are thinking more to try and get yourself out of having to think, yet you are the one who's consciously doing the thinking exhausting yourself. Anxiety is nothing more than a feeling the less time you spend thinking, the more you will able to do the real work, letting out trapped energy and emotions, and really rediscovering and reawakening yourself!

[@lisameehan24-7]

I have no adrenal glands and half a pituitary with a tumor on it. I am trying to learn to stop the emotions before it gets to the amygdala so the buck can stop there and therefore not be forced to have a stress response that I can only use a "stress dose" of my cortisol medication to respond to (or die). I was able to do this during a very calm time in my life at a retreat, so I know its possible.

[@manojlogulic4234]

"Just kidding" part was so entertainable, thank you doctor :)

[@k-counseling7289]

quiet down the frontal cortex; let amygdala be in the scene (habituation)

[@ashuexcel]

Meditation and some self hypnotism techniques are helpful..

[@muhammadkamran8585]

Wish was your student amaxing explanation. Hatsss off

[@terriharvey1053]

Thank you so much for this info!

[@Sunraysunshine]

How do you relax amgydala respond how cbt helps it?

[@patrickryan1515]

The frontal cortex should be our filter, i.e. the filter often alluded to when one i said to have no filter -- acts before thinking. It should be made conditioned to override the atavistic impulses of the amygdala.

[@katiejaime2753]

Amazing video! I have a question in regard to depersonalization/disassociation. I experienced a very severe panic attack a few months ago and ever since then I have been trying to work through my depersonalization/severe panic disorder. I have had anxiety my whole life and it is becoming too much to handle. It has turned into severe depression due to my failure to find or receive any relief. I really want to look into cognitive restructuring as you mentioned in your video.Other therapies have failed to work (most likely due to what you have mentioned in your video). If you have any advice it would be greatly appreciated! Also if you could point me into the right direction as far as therapy is concerned. Thank you SO much for your time!

[@drewb1263]

Have you tried EFT tapping?

[@jmpjmpjmp]

DNRS!!!!

[@ArnoldClarke]

Fasting

[@lorenamaciel3507]

I can relate, and after YEARS and trying many types of modalities I have learned that you ABSOLUTELY NEED to incorporate some sort of gentle touch therapy… read “The body Keeps the score… you need to target the physical part/feeling safe/activating the parasympathetic system physically, slowly reducing tension which has a feedback effect to signal to your brain that those nerves can begin to release/relax, it’s not all cognitive…whether it be , Osteopathic work, fascia counterstrain, Rosen Method, Craniosacral-- all of these are great. It has to be GENTLE touch, not what you think about as mainstream massage modalities. Also, nutrition is key… try Low FODMAP diet which dramatically reduces inflammation…severe stress = inflammation, and inflammation wreaks havoc in the body, physically , mentally, emotionally. Take care! You WILL get better… the slower/more gently you go and always trust that you can heal. The body/mind is amazing at self-healing. Good luck.

[@T0m45_]

Have you watched Giuseppe Tavella that talks about anxieties and intrusive thougths

[@harrycallahan9143]

Great video...but how does a person with generalize anxiety disorder get rid of his phobias if hes worries all the time uncontrollably? surely its a faulty amygdala in the first place? a hyper active amygdala? i have gone from one fear to another like as if my amygdala is stuck on 24/7, i went from agoraphobia, literally throwing up in fear just walking out the door, that took literally ages just to roughly get under control just for my amygdala to latch onto another fear what was totally ridiculous, as if to say right if you are not going to fear this...then how about this new fear? then another, and another, i have suffered for 6 years with GAD and i feel I am getting worse with more fears and more phobias, i feel lost, tried countless medications, therapy and all i feel is my amygdala has now taken over my life, i want mine cut out, it has totally ruined my life.

[@ReidWilsonPhD]

Thanks for writing, Harry. I'm so sorry to hear that anxiety is kicking your butt. How frustrating and demoralizing. I have no quick fix for you. But if you are up for reading, or listening, try my 1st book, called Don't Panic: Taking Control of Anxiety Attacks. Also, I have a brand-new book called Stopping the Noise in Your Head. On this KZbin site you can view the 6 free, brief video episodes associated with the principles of that book.

[@scottelliott2747]

Hello Dr. Wilson, thanks for some great online videos - they have been very helpful in terms of keeping me motivated. Would you recommend you first book (Don't Panic: Taking....) for an rOCD sufferer like myself?

[@tmt4991]

"" so sad of you Bro..I also have a same problem like you,,,,after overcoming it for a 1,,and anxiety is attacking me again n again,,,,,i tried almost every medications n therapy's but still no use..now I'm hopeless.

[@Ashish-nd3xj]

Hey Harry, in your position GAD is SAD ! How are you buddy now

[@ALXD1974]

I was having panic attaxks years ago.. I managed to analyze the reasons that triggered my last panic attack long ago (the same time it was happening) and by thinking that it was fault it stopped like a switch tutned it off.. So all this "knowledge" i think its just theories with a long way ahead of them to be accurate ant truth . And how m any times have happened to all of us to be afraid of something for a couple of seconds till we realize there was NO danger at all and then we went to full reaxation.. So THERE IS a connection between our FL and amygdala.......

[@zoemilinkovic]

Very well explained. Thank you.

[@ALXD1974]

I was having panic attaxks years ago.. I managed to analyze the reasons that triggered my last panic attack long ago (the same time it was happening) and by thinking that it was fault it stopped like a switch tutned it off.. So all this "knowledge" i think its just theories with a long way ahead of them to be accurate ant truth . And how m any times have happened to all of us to be afraid of something for a couple of seconds till we realize there was NO danger at all and then we went to full reaxation.. So THERE IS a connection between our FL and amygdala........ Don swallow everything you hear from the millions of m,illion os ..."experts" out there..

[@MatthewCookeOfficial]

Thank you. Brilliant.

[@mohammedehtesham2661]

How do we actually make the frontal cortex remain quiet?

[@Jaymz937]

Vipassana meditation or mindfulness meditation will calm your thoughts down

[@forthejoseph]

Breathe in and out through the nose instead of mouth breathing. Sit down. And learn to make decisions from your inner-authority (body).

[@stevej4328]

CBT and mindfulness meditation. You literally have to let thoughts pass by and not feed into them by thinking you have to actively fight the negative thought. The more passive and in the moment (instead of worrying about past or future events) the more the irrational amygdala will quieten, the calmer (or thicker) the frontal cortex will become, and thus allay the panic response. It's proven effective.

[@mohamedElyas97]

Not thinking stopped .... watching stress response in your brain with out judgment

[@ALXD1974]

I was having panic attacks years ago.. I managed to analyze the reasons that triggered my last panic attack long ago (the same time it was happening) and by thinking that it was fault it stopped like a switch turned it off.. So all this "knowledge" i think its just theories with a long way ahead of them to be accurate ant truth . And how many times have happened to all of us to be afraid of something for a couple of seconds till we realize there was NO danger at all and then we went to full relaxation.. So THERE IS a connection between our FL and amygdala..

[@ALXD1974]

@Sinterklaas There is always a reason that triggers amygdala. Amygdala dont turn on without a threat of some kind .When you realize that reason and make it consciousness you can neutralize it with the right thoughts. Of course frontal lobe can turn off this reaction but first you have to be conscious about what triggered amygdala.

[@RunPJs]

This video is a bit old, but the amygdala isn't a switch, it is more of a volume control...a very complex one. It can be ON just a little causing a small level of dysfunction that can be extremely damaging in the long term

[@ahmedabdelrahim4497]

I wish i can remove my amygdala coz my life is horrible because of it...it's destroying every aspect of my life

[@nylakhan5658]

Remember God Almighty he will heal your pain.

[@tabishakhlaque4860]

Same 😢

[@ratqueen3809]

r u still there? look up amydgala beautiful world rife frequency

[@ViWiHH]

It is so diffecult when you have anxiety attacks

[@michaelgarrow3239]

My Amygdala is locked in the full on position.

[@entubaotraducciones272]

Masterclass

[@VacateFear]

1:55

[@VacateFear]

3:30

[@sainiksefteri1074]

what area of the brain make the associations between stimuli- emotional value (threat, anger)? it is the orbitofrontal lobes that are related with stimuli- reward associations learning too? and where stimuli -emotional value memory is stored? please help me to understand!

[@mrcs02]

Esse vídeo tem muitos comentários recentes pra um vídeo de 11 anos atras

[@Rebecca-zr3lu]

Today I pray for all brains to be healed in Jesus name amen 🙏

[@TheRogueMonk]

i tried doing EMDR going into safe place and it just doesnt even work at all for me...

[@TheAshrafDali]

If I was living in the US or Eu I would have gotten my hands on some psylocibin mushrooms

[@blacksagetao514]

Becoming FearLess here seems to be the Key.

[@robynrose3328]

That was a mic drop moment at the end

[@Rebecca-zr3lu]

May we move through the Holy Spirit of God in one accord. In Gods’ perfect timing. I pray the mind of Christ over mankind. In Jesus name amen 🙏

[@richardshane456]

What chemical or chemicals can be used to excite an amygdala by aroma, as in a aerosol??? Ty anyone...!.

[@jABSOCFuNk]

Black pepper or lavender essential oils

[@forthejoseph]

You can also just breathe in and out via the mouth to do that. Arousal. Nose breathing relaxes the nervous system (opposite).

[@speedypete3725]

I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY MY DOCTOR DOESN'T TELL YOUR THIS ON THE BRAIN?

[@Rebecca-zr3lu]

Blessings in an abundance of the faith. I salute you. 😘🙏Grace and peace be unto you and to this place. God bless you. Thank you. 😊Will you believe and receive Jesus Christ as your LORD and personal saviour??? I do. 🤍🌈🤍🙏💌

[@shalom4l]

3:20 what on earth did he say

[@dunstanofgreen]

So wait...how does it learn to quiet down?

[@ICETANN]

{{{}}} Thank you for this information on the amygdala. 707

[@Heresheis0818]

Calm down # minds could be unnecessarily dangerous

[@FreeJulianAssange23]

Telling lies shrinks the amygdala.

[@aphysique]

SWEET LIL LIES...NOTHING BUT BAD JUJU, RIGHT SENVIA?

[@syntholshoulders1842]

Oh oh

[@meliketutkun245]

o oooo...

[@k-counseling7289]

2 almonds. LOL. Give arousal to fear response