What Is The Relationship of Anxiety to The Brain?- Understanding Anxiety

Many people suffer with anxiety or panic attacks. Most may never have asked themselves the question: What is the relationship of anxiety to the brain?  But understanding the answer is a good first step to realizing why we feel the way we do when these attacks occur.

Experiencing anxiety or feelings of panic truly are a natural human emotion. Without these feelings, the chances of the human race surviving would have been very unlikely. We need these feelings of fear to protect ourselves from harm. The problem with anxiety and panic attacks is that we experience these feelings at inappropriate times.

The brain is a very complex computer. The most complex on the planet. This is why we spend millions of dollars each year researching how the brain works. We may never know all the answers. But we have learned a lot. One thing is for sure, you hold possession of something great!

Let's answer our question: What is the relationship of anxiety to the brain?

Our brain has a wonderful instinct built right in. It is simply to protect itself. As we mentioned earlier, without this, we would most likely have been doomed. Normal everyday decision making and rationalization takes place in a certain part of the brain. This is in the front of the brain called the prefrontal cortex. But, during times of anxiety, panic and fear, a different part of the brain is used. This is located in the midbrain called the periaqueductal grey area. This is were the well known 'fight or flight' emotion comes from. So during anxiety and panic attacks, we can at least, be assured that our primal instinct for survival is working properly.

So why do I experience anxiety when it is unneeded?

There are many factors that could lead someone to constant anxiety and panic attacks. Each person will be different. Here is a list of a few below:

#1 Previous Trauma-- People that have experienced severe trauma in there lives may develop anxiety or panic attacks. This is usually diagnosed as post traumatic stress disorder. Thoughts of a severe past trauma will bring back that fear or panic that was experienced. One amazing thing about our brains is that thinking about an experience, causes the same reaction in the brain as if you were in the experience.

#2 Ongoing depression-- Depression often causes, or is caused by, a chemical imbalance in the brain. One of the main focuses of this subject is Serotonin. Serotonin is directly related to normal feelings of happiness and calmness. When the levels of this chemical is off, these feelings may be hard to come by. Anxiety can be a result.

#3 The Unknown-- Not knowing what has caused your first anxiety or panic attack can be the worst feeling of all. This can lead to increased stress always wondering why. And always fearing what will cause the next attack. Such a constant state of stress can obviously trigger more anxiety attacks.