Dive into understanding anxiety not as a mere nuisance, but as a functional component of the human experience. This course strips away the stigma and explores the evolutionary, psychological, and physiological reasons why anxiety responses develop. We'll dissect the mechanisms of the anxious brain, considering how it affects behavior, and just as crucially, how it can serve a purpose. From the palpitations that kept our ancestors on high alert for predators to the modern-day stress that primes us for big presentations, anxiety has a role to play.

But how do we leverage this for our benefit in today's world? That's where we roll up our sleeves and get practical. We'll look at ways to harness anxiety's energy without letting it spiral out of control, integrating techniques from mindfulness, cognitive-behavioral approaches, and lifestyle tweaks. This perspective empowers you to face personal and professional challenges with a fresh set of tools, turning what many consider a hindrance into a tailored advantage. You'll walk away not only with a deeper comprehension of your inner workings but with a personal anxiety navigation strategy that benefits your day-to-day life.

Amy Drab brings an extensive medical background with over a quarter-century as a physician assistant across various disciplines, including family practice and urgent care, to her role as your course instructor. Her tenure as an associate professor at Kettering College of Medical Arts has sharpened her prowess not only in practice but in imparting complex medical concepts to aspiring health professionals. Amy’s profound insights into functional medicine stem from her personal and professional quest for deeper understanding of chronic ailments, having witnessed the inadequacies in conventional approaches that often hinge on symptomatic relief rather than addressing underlying causes.

Her commitment to functional medicine deepened through advanced studies with The Institute for Functional Medicine, gaining specialized competencies in managing cardiometabolic and gastrointestinal dysfunction, amongst others. Amy's educational philosophy is anchored in the belief that every patient's narrative is integral to their diagnosis and healing. In this course, she is eager to share her passion for functional medicine, drawing on both her academic rigor and clinical experiences, to empower you with a holistic, science-based approach to anxiety that transcends traditional treatment modalities, aiming instead to unravel and address its root causes. She is enthusiastic about guiding you on a transformative learning journey towards achieving profound, long-lasting wellness.