Anxiety is a complex combination of negative emotions that includes fear, apprehension and worry, and is often accompanied by physical sensations such as palpitations, nausea, chest pain and/or shortness of breath.

Anxiety is often described as having cognitive, somatic, emotional, and behavioral components (Seligman, Walker & Rosenhan, 2001). The cognitive component entails expectation of a diffuse and uncertain danger. Somatically the body prepares the organism to deal with threat (known as an emergency reaction); blood pressure and heart rate are increased, sweating is increased, bloodflow to the major muscle groups is increased, and immune and digestive system functions are inhibited. Externally, somatic signs of anxiety may include pale skin, sweating, trembling, and pupillary dilation. Emotionally, anxiety causes a sense of dread or panic and physically causes nausea, and chills. Behaviorally, both voluntary and involuntary behaviors may arise directed at escaping or avoiding the source of anxiety. These behaviors are frequent and often maladaptive, being most extreme in anxiety disorders. However, anxiety is not always pathological or maladaptive: it is a common emotion along with fear, anger, sadness, and happiness, and it has a very important function in relation to survival.

Neural circuitry involving the amygdala and hippocampus is thought to underlie anxiety (Rosen & Schulkin, 1998). When confronted with unpleasant and potentially harmful stimuli such as foul odors or tastes, PET-scans show increased bloodflow in the amygdala (Zald & Pardo, 1997; Zald, Hagen & Pardo, 2002). In these studies, the participants also reported moderate anxiety. This might indicate that anxiety is a protective mechanism designed to prevent the organism from engaging in potentially harmful behaviors such as feeding on rotten food.

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@monkeytypist I like your Tumblr post on anxiety. In my anxious experience depression & anxiety are two sides of the same coin.
epacris71 (Col) Tue, 22 Dec 2009 08:23:40 -0000
@monkeytypist I like your Tumblr post on anxiety. In my anxious experience depression & anxiety are two sides of the same coin.
The Natural Cures Blog: Natural Cures for Anxiety: 1) Overactive Thyroid especially if you have weight loss, racing... http://bit.ly/7JCQMB
leonepret (Leone) Tue, 22 Dec 2009 08:22:08 -0000
The Natural Cures Blog: Natural Cures for Anxiety: 1) Overactive Thyroid especially if you have weight loss, racing... http://bit.ly/7JCQMB
@biebsninja facebooking.. getting over my STUPID anxiety attacks!! ugghh i hate em..
SourPatchBieber (kami BIEBERR) Tue, 22 Dec 2009 08:22:05 -0000
@biebsninja facebooking.. getting over my STUPID anxiety attacks!! ugghh i hate em..
Links to our Panic Anxiety ... http://digg.com/u1IR28
depresnanxiety (Jane Searle) Tue, 22 Dec 2009 08:19:05 -0000
Links to our Panic Anxiety ... http://digg.com/u1IR28
The Amygdala - the cause of all your anxiety. http://digg.com/u1IR27
apneacures (Jane Searle) Tue, 22 Dec 2009 08:19:05 -0000
The Amygdala - the cause of all your anxiety. http://digg.com/u1IR27
Treating Social Anxiety Advice « Mistletoe and Mint: In this interesting and informative article, a leading hyp.. http://bit.ly/5NtuqV
adulthypnosis (Adult Hypnosis) Tue, 22 Dec 2009 08:18:58 -0000
Treating Social Anxiety Advice « Mistletoe and Mint: In this interesting and informative article, a leading hyp.. http://bit.ly/5NtuqV

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