We’ve all experienced symptoms of anxiety. Can you remember a time when you felt stressed or anxious? Perhaps it was during a first date or when you did something embarrassing in public. Anxiety is actually a natural response to experiences of fear or stress.
To clarify things. It does not mean you have an anxiety disorder if you experience symptoms of anxiety now and again. People who have anxiety disorders, experience anxiety at a much higher level and might experience bouts of anxiety attacks frequently.
Although normal anxiety is usually nothing to worry about it, there is a link to anxiety disorders. In fact, anxiety disorder symptoms stem from the same biological vulnerability that we all have. This is often called the stress response, however it can also be referred to as the fight or flight response.
The sensations and symptoms of anxiety that we feel during times of stress might sometimes make a situation worse. However at other times it can work positively. Moreover, anxiety affects us all a little differently. Some may find that it’s a hindrance while other individuals may find that it can actually help.
For example, imagine you have your driving theory test coming up soon. Obviously you want to pass first time so you make sure you study hard. This anxiousness might push you harder to study. You can see how the stress response has helped you in this instance.
This time imagine that you have your 3rd driving practical test tomorrow. The thought of failing yet again makes you feel incredibly nervous. You think about how disappointed you’ll be if you were to fail again. On the day you find that you’re jittery, anxious and on the verge of an anxiety panic attack. In this case the symptoms of anxiety really have a negative effect on your performance.
When the stress response is triggered it can help us against threats. During this response our eyes dilate, muscles strengthen and adrenaline pumps into the body. In a situation of physical danger, this can be useful but unfortunately, this response triggers in times of emotional stress.
Anxiety disorder sufferers are much more sensitive to the stress response. Also, sufferers may associate certain experiences or things with an anxiety attack.
Take a person who suffers from a phobia. To you or I it might not seem like a rational threat, but for the sufferer it is. Everyone forms negative associations with bad experiences. However, sufferers of anxiety disorders often make negative associations so extreme that they produce symptoms of anxiety just thinking about them.
What’s important to note is that we can all break free from negative conditioning. We can break free from negative conditioning through positive conditioning of the mind. Anyone can learn how to prevent panic symptoms and live happier and healthier.
If you would like to make a comment, please fill out the form below.
