Mental block due to anxiety: what can we do?

The mental block due to anxiety is what leaves us blank while we speak. It is that psychological phenomenon capable of preventing us from thinking clearly and making decisions. This failure in reasoning and the flow of thoughts are mediated by a state of great emotional intensity in which the brain feels that it has reached the limit.

It has happened to all of us at some point; It is annoying and also worrying. In many cases we can even feel a certain sensation of strangeness about what surrounds us, what is known as depersonalization. A state in which we suddenly feel separated from our mind without fully understanding what is happening.

This interruption in brain processing is directly related to states of stress and anxiety. However, it is also linked to psychological realities such as lack of self-esteem and even medical problems such as fibromyalgia. We analyze it below.

Mental block due to anxiety: definition and causes

Being unable to think or remember what we were doing or saying.. Mental blockage due to anxiety can be punctual or last several days. In these latter cases, the person experiences a certain slowing down when thinking. It’s like being surrounded by a certain mental fog in which it is difficult to work, decide, be creative and even interact socially.

Thus, although it is true that we are faced with a common phenomenon, it is experienced in a very limiting way. The mental block due to anxiety makes it impossible to follow our processes or lines of thought, directly affecting the reaction capacity. This phenomenon implies, for example, not being able to solve an exam, continue with our oral presentation in public or even remember where we are going while driving.

The next question we can ask ourselves regarding this issue is: are these experiences serious? The important thing in all cases is to know the origin. Although the trigger is usually emotional (anxiety), it can also be due to a nutritional deficiency (vitamin B12), not getting enough sleep or as a side effect of a medication.

Maladaptive anxiety and its effect on cognition

Anxiety is right now the state that overwhelms us the most and makes everything escape our control.. However, this psychological reality is an inherent part of our lives, it serves a purpose and as such is necessary. However, the problem is that we do not manage it properly and it becomes maladaptive.

Research work, such as those carried out at the University of Maryland, indicates that anxiety disorders have a great impact on cognition (thought processes). So, When emotions are very intense and the brain acts only in survival mode, it is common to suffer from mental blocks.. It is a defense mechanism against all that overload of emotions.

Slowing down thinking is almost like putting ourselves on standby. It is a defense mechanism to reduce excessive emotional load. The imbalance between neurotransmitters is so intense that various brain regions begin to fail. The most affected areas are those of spatial orientation and the prefrontal region, which allows us to make decisions.

Mental block due to anxiety motivated by personality factors

Anxiety is often the result of our personality style. For example, Very perfectionist people suffer many mental blocks due to anxiety. In their constant attempt to take care of every detail and seek infallibility, it is common for them to reach unhealthy extremes.

On the other hand, Imposter syndrome, often caused by low self-esteem, is another trigger. Having the feeling of never being up to par, of not being good or competent enough, leads the person to situations of great emotional intensity in which such blocks are also common.

What can we do in these situations?

Suffering from a mental block due to anxiety from time to time is not a problem. These experiences only remind us of the need to manage our emotions a little better. However, If this phenomenon is constant, it is necessary to consult a specialist.

Sometimes there may be a health problem. Likewise, it is interesting to have some simple strategies at hand to manage these types of psychological effects orchestrated by stress or anxiety.

Go back

When we get stuck not knowing what we were saying or doing, Let’s try to remember what we were doing before or what led us to that situation. For example, if we are having a conversation with someone and we have lost the thread, it is appropriate to ask that person what the last thing he had told us was.

Visualize to reduce emotional load

A mental block due to anxiety is not resolved by adding more worry. You have to change your approach to reduce that psychophysiological intensity.

The ideal is to practice mental visualization for a few moments: imagine calm scenarios. It allows the brain to reboot and harmonize the production of neurotransmitters.

Practice moderate physical activity

When emotions are on the surface, it is appropriate to resort to physical movement. Going for a walk or run favors oxygenation of the brain, as well as the production of serotonin and endorphins.

To conclude, let’s try to see the mental block due to anxiety as a wake-up call. Every time we experience them we must become aware that we must begin to take things at a different pace.

You might be interested…