When Logic Doesn’t Work on Anxiety

Do you ever find yourself thinking:“I know this thought is irrational… so why can’t I just stop worrying?”

You try to talk yourself out of it, reason with it, maybe even roll your eyes at yourself for “being silly.” And yet the worry sticks around.

If that’s you, please hear this: you are not silly, broken, or weak. You are human.

Why your brain does this

When you feel anxious, it isn’t your logical brain that is in charge. It is your alarm system, the amygdala.

The amygdala is like a smoke alarm. Quick, loud, and designed to keep you safe. The moment it senses threat, whether real or imagined, it floods your body with stress chemicals and pushes you into survival mode.

Here is the important part. When the amygdala takes over, it reduces access to your prefrontal cortex, the part of your brain that handles logic, reasoning, and decision-making. It is like your inner alarm bell shouting so loudly that the calmer, rational voice cannot be heard.

So when you notice yourself saying, “I know this is irrational, but I can’t stop worrying,” that is not a flaw in you. It is biology. Your logical brain has not disappeared. It is just temporarily offline while your nervous system does what it is designed to do: protect you.

Why judgement makes it harder

What often happens next is a second wave of frustration with yourself.“Other people don’t stress about this. Why can’t I just let it go?”

That inner judgement can feel heavier than the worry itself. And if you have ever feared being judged by others too, it is no wonder it feels exhausting.

The truth is, judgement fuels anxiety. When your body already feels unsafe, criticism, whether it comes from inside or outside, confirms the sense of danger.

What helps is compassion. Meeting yourself with warmth is not “letting yourself off the hook.” It is giving your nervous system the reassurance it needs so your prefrontal cortex, your logical brain, can come back online.

A gentler way forward

When logic is not available, gentleness is. Here are a few simple things that can help signal safety to your brain and body:

🌱 Take a slow, steady breath and exhale longer than you inhale.

🌱 Plant your feet on the ground and notice the support beneath you.

🌱 Place a hand on your chest and quietly say, “I am safe right now.”

🌱 Remind yourself, “This is just my amygdala trying to protect me. It will pass.”

These are not quick fixes. They are small invitations that give your body the chance to calm enough for your logical mind to return.

You are not silly. You are human and Anxiety is ok

Your worries do not mean you are failing. They mean your brain cares deeply about keeping you safe. And the more you can meet yourself without judgement, the easier it becomes to breathe, to soften, and to remember: there is nothing wrong with you.

If you would like some support in this, therapy can be a place where you are not judged, but understood. I specialise in supporting people just like you who are feeling overwhelmed by anxiety but full of shame and frustration for feeling the way they do.

Right now, I have some spaces available for regular sessions, and I would love to help you explore why anxiety shows up for you, and how you can work with it more gently.

If this resonates, I would love you to book an intro call with me. It is a gentle way to get to know each other, ask questions, and see if therapy feels like the right step for you. Click here to get yourself booked in:

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Continue to take care of yourself, and remember, you're human!