Fear is something we have all experienced at some time.
Imagine opening your front door to go to work and expecting that you will see and hear all the normal things. Your car will be there, the garden growing and the birds singing. Instead, this time there is a fierce dog growling at you, ready to pounce and the birds are screeching a warning. You scream, fumble to get the door open and safely in the house again. You can hear the beast snarling and scratching at your door. You are shaking,sweaty, your heart is racing, breathing is very rapid and possibly you feel faint or nauseous. This is fear.
Imagine again that a few days later when you open the door again you hear the birds screeching, you are sure the fierce dog is back. Immediately you experience all the sensations you did when you saw the dog the first time but now there is no dog and the parrots are just screeching as they play in the rain. There is no difference in your reaction between the first and second time but the second time you experience ANXIETY. The fear is perceived and not real this time, but your body still prepares for the fight or flight response. This response was what kept us safe when we lived in caves. It was a case of do something quickly to survive and think about it later. In today's society this behavior doesn't work so well. When you opened the door the first time you were in danger, the second time you only thought you were.
The brain is amazing, it keeps all our information "filed away". The happy memories, arguments, losses, wins, boring stuff, new skills, how to get to places, appointments and much more. Those scary incidents are also filed away and are an early warning system for your body to prepare for flight or fight if you think you are in danger Often we get frightened or startled but realise there is nothing to be scared of and calm down again very quickly.
With anxiety, we get caught up in the feelings and emotions and are unable to make the distinction between real and perceived threats but the body is preparing you for action anyway. It's a bit like sitting in your car with your foot hard on the accelerator and the brake on - lots of noise, smoke, wear and tear on the car.
Anxiety symptoms are very unpleasant, they make you worry about going to the shops, driving or numerous other things. You might be scared that you're going "crazy", will faint, or have a heart attack, but guess what? It actually passes. Yes you say but it comes back again and again. It's taking over your life and you are unable to manage it by yourself. Consider seeking professional help, cognitive behaviour therapy and mindfulness are two methods which can help you to turn off your early warning system and allow you to feel more in control.
Recommended reading:
Living With It: A Survivor's Guide to Panic Attacks By Bev Aisbett
Imagine opening your front door to go to work and expecting that you will see and hear all the normal things. Your car will be there, the garden growing and the birds singing. Instead, this time there is a fierce dog growling at you, ready to pounce and the birds are screeching a warning. You scream, fumble to get the door open and safely in the house again. You can hear the beast snarling and scratching at your door. You are shaking,sweaty, your heart is racing, breathing is very rapid and possibly you feel faint or nauseous. This is fear.
Imagine again that a few days later when you open the door again you hear the birds screeching, you are sure the fierce dog is back. Immediately you experience all the sensations you did when you saw the dog the first time but now there is no dog and the parrots are just screeching as they play in the rain. There is no difference in your reaction between the first and second time but the second time you experience ANXIETY. The fear is perceived and not real this time, but your body still prepares for the fight or flight response. This response was what kept us safe when we lived in caves. It was a case of do something quickly to survive and think about it later. In today's society this behavior doesn't work so well. When you opened the door the first time you were in danger, the second time you only thought you were.
The brain is amazing, it keeps all our information "filed away". The happy memories, arguments, losses, wins, boring stuff, new skills, how to get to places, appointments and much more. Those scary incidents are also filed away and are an early warning system for your body to prepare for flight or fight if you think you are in danger Often we get frightened or startled but realise there is nothing to be scared of and calm down again very quickly.
With anxiety, we get caught up in the feelings and emotions and are unable to make the distinction between real and perceived threats but the body is preparing you for action anyway. It's a bit like sitting in your car with your foot hard on the accelerator and the brake on - lots of noise, smoke, wear and tear on the car.
Anxiety symptoms are very unpleasant, they make you worry about going to the shops, driving or numerous other things. You might be scared that you're going "crazy", will faint, or have a heart attack, but guess what? It actually passes. Yes you say but it comes back again and again. It's taking over your life and you are unable to manage it by yourself. Consider seeking professional help, cognitive behaviour therapy and mindfulness are two methods which can help you to turn off your early warning system and allow you to feel more in control.
Recommended reading:
Living With It: A Survivor's Guide to Panic Attacks By Bev Aisbett
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