anxiety

WHAT IS ANXIETY?

This is a big question and not one that can be answered simply or quickly. What's helpful to know is that anxiety is a state of arousal associated with the perception of future danger or threat. It involves uncertainty and vigilant preparation for a future situation. There are emotional, cognitive, and physiological components that makeup anxiety.

• Emotional: Fear, dread, apprehension, etc

• Cognitive: Worry and negative thoughts about what might happen in the future. This usually involves cognitive distortions including over-prediction of danger and under-prediction of our ability to cope.

• Physiological: When we perceive danger (real or imagined) our body prepares to help us protect ourselves. Our sympathetic nervous system activates and hormones including adrenaline, noradrenaline, and cortisol are released. Our breathing changes to help increase oxygen supply, our heart rate increases to quickly pump blood/oxygen to critical areas like our muscles and large organs (blood is also directed away from less helpful areas like the surface of our skin), and our muscles tense -- our body is preparing to defend us from the threat. To reserve energy for this process, there is a decrease in activity in less immediately helpful functions, like digestion. This stress response is known as fight/flight/freeze.

  • Common physical experiences:

    • Shortness of breath - you might also notice tightness and pain in the chest. Some people experience yawning.

    • Increased heart rate

    • Muscle tension - you might also notice stiffness, shaking, or trembling

    • Tingling sensations (e.g. fingers/toes)

    • Pale or flushed face

    • Dizziness or light-headedness, blurred vision, confusion

    • Headaches

    • Nausea or stomach pain

Anxiety is adaptive and protective. It is part of our threat response system. Like most unpleasant feelings, it's a cue to sit up and pay attention.