Anxiety is the body’s way of responding to being in danger. It is the body’s alarm and survival mechanism when adrenaline flows into our bloodstream.
Therefore it enables us to run away or fight depending on the perceived dangerous situation. This happens whether there is a real threat, or whether we believe the danger is there when actually there is none.
This is a life-saving response that originates from a prehistoric man that helped him to survive a long time ago. It works so well even today in our body, but very often kicks in when it’s not needed – when the danger is in our heads rather than in reality.
We think we’re in danger, so that’s enough to trigger the system to go, go, go! People who get anxious tend to get into scanning mode – where they’re constantly on the lookout for danger, hyper-alert to any of the signals, and make it more likely that the alarm system will be activated.
Thoughts that often occur in Anxiety
These thoughts include our overestimating or exaggerating the actual threat, and underestimating or minimizing our ability to cope:
– I’m in danger right now
– The worst possible situation is going to happen
– I won’t be able to cope with it
The Adrenaline Response
When there is real, or we believe there is a real, threat or danger, our bodies’ automatic survival mechanism kicks in very quickly. This helps energize us to fight or run away (‘fight or flight response’). We will notice lots of physical
sensations, which might include:
HEART RACING – This helps to take the blood to where it is most needed – in legs so that we can run faster (flight); in arms so that we can hit out (FIGHT); in lungs to increase our stamina. At the same time blood is taken from the places it is not needed for example fingers, toes, and skin. These changes cause tingling coldness and numbness.
BREATHING GETS FASTER – This helps the bloodstream to carry oxygen to the arms, legs, and lungs. This will give us more power. The side effects may include chest pain, breathlessness, and a choking feeling. As there is a slight drop in the blood and oxygen being sent to the brain we may feel dizzy or lightheaded, or we may experience blurred vision.
MUSCLES TENSE AND PREPARE – The large skeletal muscles tense and create power, this may cause pain, aching, and shaking.
SWEATING – Sweating helps to cool the muscles and the body. It helps to stop them from overheating. Sweating can also make us more slippery to our enemies.
PUPILS DILATE – This lets more light into our eyes so our overall vision improves. Side effects may include sensitivity to light or spots before our eyes.
DIGESTIVE SYSTEM SLOWS DOWN – Because the digestive system is not needed while we are in danger and so are slowed down then the saved energy goes to where it is most needed. Side effects may include nausea, butterflies, and a dry mouth.
MORE ALERT – We are concentrating on looking for danger, much less able to concentrate on anything else. We are waiting for something to happen. This is the basis of the way we worry.
This fast adrenalin response in our body can save our life from all of the sudden danger when we must react immediately in life-threatening situations. In other words, when we face a life-threatening moment our body has a mechanism that helps our chances to stay alive.
However, the problem occurs when there is not such a dangerous moment in our lives, only we perceive everyday problems as life-threatening situations even though they are not. These adrenaline-not-needed responses occur very frequently. If this lasts too long our body finally will start having health problems.
Behaviors that often happen in Anxiety
Behaviors might include:- Avoiding people or places
– Not going out
– Going to certain places at certain times, e.g. shopping at smaller shops, at less busy times
– Only going with someone else
– Escaping, leaving early
– Going to the feared situation, but use coping behaviors to get you through: examples include: self-talk, holding a drink, smoking more, fiddling with clothes or handbag, avoiding eye contact with others, having an escape plan, medication.
These are called ‘safety behaviors. Safety behaviors can also help to keep your anxiety going. Whilst you depend on them to help you cope, you don’t get to find out that without them, the anxiety would reduce and go away on its own.
Whilst avoiding people or situations might help you feel better at that time, it doesn’t make your anxiety any better over a longer period.
If you’re frightened that your anxiety will make you pass out or vomit in the supermarket aisle, you won’t find out that won’t actually happen, because you don’t go. So the belief that it will happen remains, along with the anxiety.
