In one of the final sessions of a recent coaching engagement with the Managing Director and Founder of a legal firm based in Manchester, he shared something deeply personal.
For years, he had battled severe anxiety—frequent panic attacks, a reliance on anti-anxiety medication, and the constant struggle to maintain control over his mental state.
What he shared next was both powerful and humbling: after just 8–10 weeks of working with Positive Intelligence®—a neuroscience-based approach that helps individuals rewire disruptive mental patterns—he reported feeling significantly better. His panic attacks had nearly disappeared, and he had successfully weaned himself off medication.
This transformation became one of the most compelling testaments I’ve witnessed to the power of Positive Intelligence® in action.
Anxiety Is Not What We Think It Is
Through this and many other coaching engagements, I’ve come to realize just how misunderstood anxiety really is. It doesn’t always show up in extreme, visible ways—and it certainly doesn’t discriminate. In fact, high-achieving individuals like executives, entrepreneurs, and professionals are often just as affected, if not more so.
Contrary to the common belief that anxiety is a sign of weakness or only affects the vulnerable, my experience reveals a very different picture. In conversations with senior leaders, I often hear some version of:
“I can handle stress just fine.”
Yet, nearly 80% of them report challenges like insomnia, chronic pain, irritability, and difficulty concentrating—all of which are deeply connected to underlying anxiety patterns.
Anxiety is often an invisible companion. It lingers in the background, subtly shaping how we think, feel, and show up. It can present as a slight unease before a meeting or evolve into overwhelming dread that paralyses. It’s one of the most common, yet most misunderstood mental health conditions.
Understanding the Spectrum of Anxiety
Anxiety isn’t a one-size-fits-all experience. For some, it manifests as persistent, future-focused worry. For others, it shows up as a racing heart or shallow breathing in response to immediate stressors. Recognizing this diversity is key—not only for self-awareness but also to foster empathy and dismantle stigma.
Left unmanaged, anxiety can wreak havoc on physical and mental health—disrupting sleep, digestion, focus, and even exacerbating conditions like hypertension or diabetes. Long-term exposure to anxiety-triggered hormones also affects cognitive functioning, impairing decision-making and problem-solving.
With Mental Health Awareness Month being commemorated in the month of May, we’re dedicating the month to spotlighting stress, anxiety, and burnout—both in the workplace and wider society.
As a starting point, let’s bust some persistent myths about anxiety:
10 Common Myths About Anxiety—Debunked
- Anxiety is just stress
Stress is a short-term response to a specific challenge. Anxiety is persistent and can linger even after the trigger is gone.
- Anxiety is a weakness
Anxiety is not a personal flaw. It’s a neurobiological condition that requires understanding and support—not judgment.
- It’s just attention-seeking or being dramatic
Anxiety disorders are real and overwhelming. Most people suffering from anxiety wish they could just “turn it off.”
- You can just “get over it”
Recovery isn’t about snapping out of it. Many require a mix of therapy, techniques, and support to manage it effectively.
- Anxiety is always visible
Not everyone with anxiety has panic attacks. Some internalize their struggle, making it less obvious to others.
- Anxiety is rare
It’s one of the most common mental health conditions globally, affecting millions across all age groups.
- It’s just a phase
While anxiety levels may vary over time, for many, it’s a chronic condition that needs long-term management.
- It’s just about worrying too much
Anxiety can also cause physical symptoms—muscle tension, insomnia, digestive issues, and more.
- Everyone experiences anxiety the same way
It can take many forms: generalized anxiety, panic disorder, social anxiety, phobias, and more
- Anxiety can’t be treated
Anxiety is highly treatable. Many experience relief through therapy or medication. But most mild-to-moderate forms of anxiety can be managed with lifestyle shifts, or mind-training tools such as Positive Intelligence®.
A New Approach to Managing Anxiety
By prioritizing our mental health and implementing simple, consistent practices—mindfulness, movement, deep breathing, and mindset training—we can significantly reduce the grip anxiety has on our lives.
From my coaching experience, I’ve found that many mild to moderate cases of anxiety can be effectively managed by learning to recognize and shift unconscious mental patterns. With consistent practice, individuals can consciously activate the calm, relaxed parts of their brain—and cultivate resilience from within.
Anxiety is part of the human experience—but it doesn’t have to define us. When we understand its many faces, embrace holistic tools for healing, and build supportive communities, we make space for growth, clarity, and connection.
Let’s create workplaces and societies where no one suffers in silence. Let’s lead with empathy, self-care, and awareness.
At Exponentium Consulting & Coaching, we’re passionate about supporting leaders, entrepreneurs, and teams in building inner resilience and navigating change through practical, science-backed tools rooted in Positive Intelligence® and neuroscience.
If you or your team are navigating challenges or simply curious about how to strengthen mental fitness and performance, we’re always happy to have a conversation.
☕ You’re welcome to book a no-obligation coffee chat here to discuss how you can leverage Positive Intelligence & Neuroscience to build an anxiety-free environment for yourself or your team:
https://calendly.com/rajeev-nayak/30-min-call-with-rajeev-nayak-exponentium-coaching-consulting
Learn more about the science of Positive Intelligence® here:
🌐 www.positiveintelligence.com
Let’s explore what’s possible—together, from the inside out.
*PQ and Positive Intelligence® are registered trademarks of Positive Intelligence LLC
