Anxiety

From ArticleWorld


Anxiety is often described as having cognitive, somatic, emotional, and behavioral components. The cognitive component entails expectation of a diffuse and determined danger.

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Physical preparation

Somatically the body prepares the body to deal with the respective threat. blood pressure and heart rate are raised, sweating is evidence, blood flow to the major muscle groups is increased, and immune system and digestive system functions are restricted.

Physical signs

Externally, somatic signs of anxiety may include pale skin, clammy sweat, trembling, and papillary dilation. Emotionally, anxiety causes a sense of deep dread or severe panic. It may also cause nausea and chills.

Behavior

Behaviorally, both voluntary and involuntary behaviors may arise directed at escaping or avoiding the source of the anxiety. These behaviors are quite frequent, and most extreme of anxiety disorders.

Survival

However, anxiety is not always pathological: it is a common emotion along the lines of fear, anger, frustration, sadness, and happiness. it has a very important function in relation to an individual's survival.

Biochemical

Neural circuitry involving the amygdale and hippocampus is thought to underlie anxiety. When confronted with unpleasant and potentially harmful stimuli such as foul odors or tastes, PET-scans show increased blood flow in the amygdale.

In these respective studies, the participants also have reported moderate anxiety. This might indicate that anxiety is a protective mechanism which is designed to prevent the organism from engaging in potentially harmful behaviors such as feeding on rotten food.


Disorders

A chronically recurring case of anxiety that has a serious effect on a person's life may be clinically diagnosed as an anxiety disorder. The most common ones are generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, bipolar disorder, phobias, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and posttraumatic stress disorder.