Anxiety or Fear

Is it a normal fear or do I have anxiety?

Almost everyone experiences fear from time to time, particularly in the face of real and imminent danger to either oneself, another person, an animal or a valued possession. Such fear is a normal and valuable emotion because it helps us to avoid harm.

When we experience fear, an automatic bodily reaction known as the 'flight or fight response' begins. It prepares the body fight the challenge, or flee from it. Any stress, whether physical, psychological (anticipation of an unpleasant event) or emotional (anger or fear) will produce some or all elements of the fight or flight response. It is a complex, multifaceted process, but some of the main features are:

  • Non-urgent functions (such as digestion) temporarily shut down so that energy can be diverted to functions vital to survival.
  • Mental activity and alertness increase
  • Airways dilates and breath rate increases
  • Peripheral blood vessels constrict (pale skin) and blood is sent to skeletal muscles, increasing strength and endurance
  • Cardiac output, heart rate and blood pressure rise, allowing more oxygen and nutrients to reach the tissues
  • Glycogen stores in the liver are rapidly converted to glucose, which makes more glucose available for energy
  • Sweating increases to cool the body
  • Eye pupils dilate, to allow in more light, and the lenses relax, to facilitate far-sightedness
  • Bowel and bladder sphincters close
  • The immune system is suppressed

Normally, these reactions subside soon after the danger (real or imagined) has passed. However, a person who suffers from an anxiety disorder will experience the fight or flight response to some degree without significant danger, either frequently or chronically. This is harmful to the body and mind in many ways and may increase a person's susceptivity to a range of illnesses.

To understand more about anxiety view our Freedom from Anxiety Program™

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