Relaxation Induced Anxiety

Relaxation-Induced Anxiety

●Relaxation-induced anxiety is defined as an increase in physiological, behavioral, and/or cognitive components of anxiety during relaxation training.

●Anecdotal reports

●Research by Borkovec and others

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How Common is Relaxation-Induced Anxiety?

●Relaxation-induced anxiety may be fairly common among individuals who suffer from very severe chronic anxiety.

●15% to 40%

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“Symptoms” of Relaxation-Induced Anxiety

●Physiological

●Increased heart rate

●Increased muscle tension

●Increased electrodermal activity

●Cognitive

●Apprehension

●Mental tension

●Worry

●Fear

●Behavioral

●Escape or avoidance behavior (leaving the session)

●Subtle behaviors

●Squirming

●Shifting position

●Fidgeting

●General restlessness

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Potential Mechanisms Underlying Relaxation-Induced Anxiety

●Fear of Loss of Control

●Aversion to Self-Confrontation

●Fear of Anxiety

●Aversion to Tension-Release Experiences

●Some of these sensations may be due to the shift from sympathetic nervous system dominance to parasympathetic nervous system dominance.

●Also, the “rebound effect” between sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system dominance may be involved.

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