You are most likely to have experienced first-hand – the impact that anxiety can have on you, and chronic-anxiety can be a regular problem for millions of people. However – when bouts of anxiety attack you, what is actually happening and how and why is your brain producing the sensations?
An anxiety-attack is kick-started by sensory-receptors, such as your eyes, nose or ears identifying a dangerous or hazardous situation which sends messages to the body’s central nervous system. The system then sends messages to the brain and interprets the information before being sent onto the thalamus – where it can channelled in one of two directions. One part of the signal can be sent to the part of the brain that is responsible for reasoning, and the other part journeys to the region that retains memories – so it can be compared and contrasted with previous experiences. If it connects with something that has caused distress in the past – you are likely to experience anxiety.
A sudden surge in anxiety-levels generally results in symptoms such as nauseas, dizziness, confusion, hesitation, sweating and headache, and in severe cases can also include reactions such as hyperventilation and heart-palpitations. It is important to consider the dynamics at play during this process, as a greater understanding can often allow you to lessen the impact of its effects. There is an old expression, “the only thing to fear is fear itself” and whilst this has become somewhat of a tired cliché, there is some truth in it. Studies have revealed that the more you are able to comprehend something that distresses you, the greater you are able to offer resistance. For instance – when your sensory receptors identify something that could result in a worry or threat to your security, try to rationalise it and make a decisive judgment on how to tackle it.
Millions of people suffer from anxiety, and millions of people have also overcome its most serious effects, so if you experience it – you’re sure to have the resources to fight it, too.
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