From Fox News · Melissa Rudy · · 1m 20s
Helicopter brain causes physical symptoms
Neurologist explains how information overload creates a 'helicopter brain' effect with physical symptoms.
In brief
Neurologist explains how information overload creates a 'helicopter brain' effect with physical symptoms. Information overload can cause a 'helicopter brain' effect with physical symptoms like headaches and fatigue that requires recognizing patterns and calming the nervous system. Originally reported by Fox News.
Quick answers
- What is helicopter brain?
- Neurologist Dr. Steven Resnick describes helicopter brain as a nervous system constantly on high alert.
- What is the key takeaway from Helicopter brain causes physical symptoms?
- Information overload can cause a 'helicopter brain' effect with physical symptoms like headaches and fatigue that requires recognizing patterns and calming the nervous system.
What is helicopter brain?
Neurologist Dr. Steven Resnick describes helicopter brain as a nervous system constantly on high alert.
“Imagine your own helicopter, that is your nervous system”
Information overload causes symptoms
Excessive online content consumption links to anxiety and physical symptoms like headaches and fatigue.
“The brain is scanning for danger”
Symptoms are hard to explain
Patients experience unexplained symptoms including headaches, gastrointestinal issues, and dizziness.
“They don't understand what they're feeling is actually authentic, it's real”
Five strategies to cope
Neurologist recommends recognizing patterns, catching triggers, rewarding new habits, and floating instead of fighting.
“Give your new habit a reward you can feel”
Recognize what you feel
Listen to patients to understand their nervous system responses before fixing symptoms.
“I hear patients say, 'I'm scared, I'm fearful, I'm concerned, I'm worried'”
Name the pattern
Identify recurring thoughts, behaviors, and reactions to change stress responses.
“Mindfulness is not just about meditation; it's about noticing”
Catch the trigger
Identify specific cues that start stress patterns like a boss' face or a smell.
“It could be your boss' face. It could be a telephone”
Reward new habits
Replace unhealthy behaviors with rewarding habits like exercise or healthy shakes.
“Even checkboxing something on a piece of paper feels good”
Float instead of fight
Allow anxiety to pass rather than fighting it to create safety associations.
“Don't fight it. You want to allow it. You want to feel it”
Seek medical help
People with persistent symptoms should get medical evaluation to rule out health conditions.
“People experiencing persistent or unexplained physical symptoms should seek medical evaluation”
What to remember
Information overload can cause a 'helicopter brain' effect with physical symptoms like headaches and fatigue that requires recognizing patterns and calming the nervous system.
