“It’s Just Anxiety”: What Your Doctor Might Really Mean—and Why It Still Hurts

If you’ve ever left a doctor’s office feeling confused, dismissed, or quietly devastated after hearing “it’s just anxiety,” you’re not alone. For many women experiencing chronic, unexplained symptoms—fatigue, pain, dizziness, digestive issues, brain fog—that phrase can feel like a shutdown. A subtle silencing.

But what if it’s not that your doctor doesn’t care? What if they’re working inside a system that makes deep care nearly impossible?

The Reality Behind the Rush

Most primary care providers get 10 to 15 minutes per patient. That’s barely enough time to review symptoms, let alone explore the layered impact of chronic stress. So when they say “I think it’s just anxiety,” it might be shorthand for something more nuanced:

“Something real is happening—and I wonder if stress is part of it. But I am not allowed the time or tools to unpack it gently.”

Unfortunately, it’s not just frustrating for patients—it’s hard on providers too. The truth is, the system isn’t built to hold complexity gently. During my years working in hospital settings as a therapist, I saw firsthand how much the doctors I worked alongside genuinely cared. Many of them expressed deep frustration about the lack of time they were given with patients—some even admitted they envied that therapists were allowed 45 to 50 minutes to sit with someone, listen, and explore what was really going on. And that’s the heartbreaking part: when care is rushed, it’s not because providers don’t want to help. It’s because the system makes it nearly impossible. That leaves thousands of women feeling unheard, emotionally misunderstood, and stuck in cycles where their symptoms get oversimplified and their distress gets named without real context.

Anxiety Isn’t Imaginary—But It’s Not the Whole Story

Anxiety can absolutely affect the body. It can mimic or amplify physical symptoms. But that doesn’t mean your symptoms are “just stress.” It means your whole system—body, mind, and story—deserves support.

In trauma-informed care, we don’t separate emotional and physical health. We ask deeper questions:



• What’s your body trying to tell you?
• What patterns have been overlooked?
• What’s the full picture—not just the fastest explanation?

How the Mystery Illness Protocol Can Help

The Mystery Illness Protocol is a 7-session therapeutic framework designed for women navigating undiagnosed or complex health symptoms. It’s not about rushing to label—it’s about slowing down to listen.

If you’ve ever thought…

• “Why does my body feel this way—and why can’t anyone explain it?”
• “I’m exhausted, anxious, and constantly second-guessing myself.”
• “I feel like I’m disappearing into my symptoms.”
• “I want to feel like myself again—but I don’t know where to start.”

This protocol was created for you.

Here’s how we help:

Sessions 1–2: You’ll feel seen, not dismissed. We start by creating emotional safety. You’ll finally have space to talk about what you’ve been through—without being rushed or minimized. We validate your experience and begin separating your identity from your symptoms.

Session 3–4: You’ll learn how to calm your body and mind. If your nervous system feels stuck in fight-or-flight, we’ll teach you grounding tools, breathwork, and thought-tracking strategies to reduce overwhelm and help you feel more in control.

Session 5–6: You’ll reconnect with what matters to you. We explore how illness may have hijacked your sense of self—and help you reclaim your values, challenge unhelpful thought patterns, and take small steps toward the life you want.

Session 7: You’ll leave with a personalized resilience toolkit. We consolidate everything you’ve learned into a plan that supports your emotional wellness long-term. You’ll walk away with practical tools, pacing strategies, and a renewed sense of agency.

Because your symptoms are real. Your story is valid. And healing begins when someone finally says, “I believe you.”

Ready to Feel Seen?

If this resonates and you are a resident of Illinois or Florida, I invite you to email me at  sparker@findyourtranquility.com or call  (813) 771-0888 ext. 102.



You don’t have to navigate this alone—and you don’t have to settle for being rushed.

Shayla Parker, LCPC, CIMHP

Licensed Therapist

Certified Integrative Mental Health Professional

Mom and Wife

Christian

Telehealth in IL and FL

Kathryn Gardner and Shayla Parker are licensed therapists that specialize in a holistic approach to anxiety and stress management. They provide top quality Individual counseling in Florida and Illinois, via Telehealth and in-person in Tampa, FL. You can feel stress relief and find your tranquility! Call or email today. www.FindYourTranquility.com

Research gathered by author and utilizing open AI (2025) ChatGPT (2025 version).