Anxiety stems
from a normal reaction to all sorts of difficult or dangerous situations. This
defence reaction is the same as all other animals have. It helps us deal with
situations that threaten us. If you were on a battlefield it would prepare you
for the fight. If a large dog were chancing you it would help you run. It is
sometimes referred to as fight/flight. It is also called the emergence reaction
or arousal. The energy boost that the body gets from arousal helps you stay
awake and alert.
Unfortunately,
arousal can occur without real danger. Sometimes it can also be out of
proportion to the threat. This can lead to difficulties such as anxiety, worry,
phobia or trauma. It can become very distressing, causing major difficulties.
One in ten people have to consult their doctor at some time because of anxiety,
others also from the effects of worry.
To understand
more about anxiety it can best be divided into three parts: Physical, Mental and
Behaviour.
The signs:
Breathing
When anxious, we feel we need to breathe harder, with quick deep breaths through the chest. This helps supply more oxygen to the muscles for exercise. This is fine during heavy exercise, but can cause problems if we get anxious.
Adrenaline rush
Anxiety makes the body produce adrenaline which: increases the strength and speed of the heart beat to pump more blood around the body for exercise; increases tension in the muscles, preparing them to spring into action; increases sweating; also dry mouth, blurred vision; difficulty swallowing; feeling sick; wanting to get to the toilet.
All this
is very tiring and often leaves people feeling exhausted.
When we get anxious, our minds can be fill of all sorts of worrying thoughts and feelings. It is often hard to concentrate and think straight. Some of the thoughts are like: