Neurodiversity Insight
Anxiety and Cognition
When the nervous system stays on alert, attention narrows and recall suffers. Treating the anxiety restores cognitive bandwidth.
How anxiety changes thinking
The amygdala and prefrontal cortex communicate constantly. When anxiety spikes, the brain prioritizes scanning for danger over processing new details. People describe “brain fog,” difficulty following conversations, or losing track of simple steps—even though their underlying memory systems are intact.
Assessment approach
Evaluation focuses on sustained attention, working memory, and emotional resiliency. We differentiate anxiety-related inefficiency from neurologic disorders so clients receive the right treatment. Self-report scales also capture triggers, avoidance patterns, and physical symptoms (sleep disruption, heart palpitations) that influence cognition.
Calming the system
Interventions may include CBT or acceptance-based therapies, medication consultation, biofeedback, and nervous-system regulation skills (breath work, exercise, structured breaks). Cognitive strategies—external reminders, chunking, pacing—are layered in so daily tasks feel manageable while anxiety treatment progresses.