Physiology of anxiety

Physiology of anxiety


Anxiety is a part of what is called the fight-or-flight, which is generated by the sympathetic nervous system. The sympathetic nervous system to the parasympathetic nervous system forms the autonomic nervous system. The actions of the autonomic nervous system are automatic and not under our conscious control.

The sympathetic nervous system activates the fight-or-flight, while the parasympathetic nervous system restores the body to normal. So we head to rev up, the other is responsible for hitting the breaks.

The reaction of fight or flight is a natural protection of the body during a threat, which can be real or imaginary. Let us start from the threat or fight. This is why some people who suffer from anxiety are very aggressive, while others fled in fear, in a threatening situation.

The physiology of fight or flight response involves the production of adrenaline and cortisol by the adrenal glands. These hormones cause:

- Heart beats faster, causing more oxygen going to the muscles
- Breathing faster
- Sweating
- Less blood flow in the gastrointestinal tract and skin and circulation in skeletal muscles and lungs
- Release of glucose by the liver into the bloodstream to provide energy to the body to cope with the threat
- Dilated pupils

Cortisone suppresses the immune system, reduces inflammation and pain. We can see that this is useful in case of physical danger (ie the body that is injured can better deal with the threat with less pain).

Suppression of the immune system by cortisone is the likely reason why people who are generally stressed or anxious are more susceptible to disease.

Because of adrenaline and cortisone take some time to be destroyed by the body, anxiety or discomfort is still present after the threatening situation. This delay in the elimination of these hormones is to protect the body, just in case the threat returns.

We can see that the response is fight or flight for the body to act physically. What was most useful when humans had to hunt to survive. Meanwhile, the threat that required immediate and rapid physical action as an attack by an animal, were more common.

In modern life, the intense physical action is not what is needed most of the time during moments of anxiety, such as in stressful situations at work or at school. Everyone faces situations that cause the reaction of fight or flight. The problem is when it usually happens due to psychological problems. In this case, if it is not controlled, it can be dangerous to health .......