Anxiety is a complex brain-body system that has evolved over millions of years to help ensure our survival. Sometimes the symptoms of anxiety can meld with other symptoms to create a composite experience some people call anxiety brain fog. The experience of anxiety following a stressful event operates uniquely in the brain.
In its most extreme form, anxiety sets the body up for “fight or flight. ” this autonomic threat response is sensitive, fast and decisive, and, in times of extreme danger, operates outside our awareness by preparing the body to take action. Think of this threat response as the “gas pedal” of the nervous system.
Conditions related to anxiety, fear and panic
It is very normal to feel worried and anxious in a difficult situation like a job interview or a tough exam. Once the situation is over, the person feels much better and calmer. Sometimes the feeling of fear or panic remains even after the situation is over. This is when anxiety becomes a serious problem. Anxiety is a feeling related with fear, panic and worry.
Anxiety disorder can alter the behavior of a person. A person can feel anxious, panicky and fearful in difficult situations of life and can find it difficult to come out of the situation. A person with anxiety gets very depressed and finds it very difficult to sleep, eat and even concentrate.
This article was co-authored by trudi griffin, lpc, ms. Trudi griffin is a licensed professional counselor in wisconsin specializing in addictions and mental health. She provides therapy to people who struggle with addictions, mental health, and trauma in community health settings and private practice. She received her ms in clinical mental health counseling from marquette university in 2011. There are 17 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. Wikihow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. This article received 11 testimonials and 83% of readers who voted found it helpful, earning it our reader-approved status.
This article was co-authored by trudi griffin, lpc, ms. Trudi griffin is a licensed professional counselor in wisconsin specializing in addictions and mental health. She provides therapy to people who struggle with addictions, mental health, and trauma in community health settings and private practice. She received her ms in clinical mental health counseling from marquette university in 2011. There are 25 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. Wikihow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. In this case, 86% of readers who voted found the article helpful, earning it our reader-approved status.
This article was co-authored by chloe carmichael, phd. Chloe carmichael, phd is a licensed clinical psychologist who runs a private practice in new york city. With over a decade of psychological consulting experience, dr. Chloe specializes in relationship issues, stress management, self esteem, and career coaching. She has also instructed undergraduate courses at long island university and has served as adjunct faculty at the city university of new york. Dr. Chloe completed her phd in clinical psychology at long island university in brooklyn, new york and her clinical training at lenox hill hospital and kings county hospital. She is accredited by the american psychological association and is the author of “nervous energy: harness the power of your anxiety” and “dr.