What is Anxiety
Anxiety for Survival
Anxiety has been part of our survival as a species and one of the main reasons we are here today. Anxiety keeps us aware of danger and is linked to our Autonomic Nervous System (ANS), which triggers the famous ‘Fight, Flight or Freeze’ response. When faced with a dangerous or compromising situation, our body will automatically switch into one of these modes and our Emotions and Behaviours will instinctively follow.
The problem is that we live in a society with social expectations, rules and beliefs. Therefore, when we generate unhelpful, irrational and negative thoughts, it causes our body to link them to unhelpful, irrational and negative Emotions and Behaviour, so we feel and act in line with those negative thoughts.
Such thoughts may be: ‘people don’t like me’, ‘I’m useless or rubbish’, ‘People laugh at me’, ‘I can’t do that’, ‘My partner is going to leave me’, ‘I’m going to get fired if I don’t finish this report’, ‘if I don’t wash my hands 3 times, I’ll get ill’
When Anxiety has a negative impact
Social interactions, social medias, relationships, family commitments, work commitments, deadlines, technologies, financial concerns…the list is exhaustive! We live in a society where we perceive ourselves to be constantly judged on our looks, lifestyles and abilities. The technology that was intended for our convenience and comfort, has generated many Anxieties that we face today. Anxiety can come in many forms and for many different reasons.
Anxiety can have a significant impact on how we live our lives and how we interact with the world around us. For some people it can be slightly inconvenient and for others it can have a serious effect on how they live their lives and the impact on those around them, whether it be friends, family or work colleagues.
Anxiety can cause people to withdraw from social situations, adopt compulsive behaviours, exacerbate depression, withdraw from enjoyable experiences with family and loved ones and live in a constant state or worry and fear.
Anxiety is not a disease that infects us or is contagious, it is something we have the ability to cope and deal with.
When Anxiety is a GOOD thing!
So, is all Anxiety a bad thing? Well the answer to that is ‘NO!’
Remember at night when you thought you heard a noise downstairs? Your breathing become shallow, your body temperature dropped (goosebumps) and you had hearing like Superman? That’s because your body has switched into ‘Freeze mode’ and its primary function is survival, it stops all unnecessary bodily functions such as temperature regulation, respiratory and even bladder function! It is preparing for Flight or Fight (run or fight). The Mind and Body are one and the Thoughts generated in your mind are clearly linked to the following Emotion and then Behaviour (Action) that follows.
We as a species are programmed for survival but what happens when those instincts become confused with Social Acceptance, Popularity, Beliefs, Expectations? The point is that your Mind and Body are one, and much like your body is the car…your mind is the driver.
Anxiety makes us more inclined to spot dangers before they occur, keeping us alert and focussed, even helping us to be more successful in our jobs and vigilant with our families or loved ones. It’s healthy to be slightly anxious before an exam and it’s healthy to be slightly anxious before public speaking, it’s our way of doing the best we can. The problem occurs when this becomes unhealthy, unhelpful, irrational and starts to have a negative impact on the way we live our daily lives and the interactions we have with those around us.