Anxiety erupts in our minds like a storm, activating circuits deep within the brain. This emotion once served as a protective shield that helped our ancestors survive thousands of years ago. Today, however, this shield has shifted from fleeing lions to meeting work deadlines, fulfilling social expectations, and confronting uncertainty.
How Does Anxiety Work in the Brain?
When the brain sounds an alarm, the amygdala springs into action, amplifying the perception of threat. The hippocampus scans the past, asking, “Have we experienced this before?” Meanwhile, the prefrontal cortex attempts to calm this chaos—but sometimes fails. At that moment, anxiety ceases to be merely a feeling and becomes a force that affects our entire mental system. Understanding how this invisible power travels through the brain is the first step toward managing it. Let us now explore this journey together.
What Are Anxiety Disorders?
Anxiety is a feeling of fear, dread, and unease. It can cause sweating, restlessness, tension, and an accelerated heartbeat. It may be a normal response to stress.
What Are the Types of Anxiety Disorders?
- Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD): Individuals with GAD worry excessively about everyday matters such as health, money, work, and family. Their concerns are disproportionate and occur nearly every day for at least six months.
- Panic Disorder: People with panic disorder experience panic attacks—sudden, recurring episodes of intense fear that occur without real danger. These attacks come on rapidly and can last several minutes or longer.
- Phobias: Individuals with phobias experience intense fear of objects or situations that pose little or no actual threat. These fears may involve spiders, flying, going to crowded places, or being in social settings (known as social anxiety).
What Are the Causes of Anxiety in the Brain?
- Genetics: Research suggests that genetics not only contribute generally to anxiety disorders but also influence the risk for specific types of anxiety disorders.
- Brain Structure: The amygdala sends signals to other brain regions that regulate the stress response, such as the hypothalamus and brainstem. Communication between these different brain areas can significantly affect the experience of anxiety.
- Neurotransmitters: The brain’s chemical messengers play a vital role in anxiety. They transmit information related to emotional states, cognitive processes, and behavior.
Measuring the Cognitive Effects of Anxiety on the Brain
Instruments such as the GAD-7 and the Perceived Stress Scale can be used to assess patient health, monitor treatment progress, and verify treatment effectiveness. These cognitive health tools help healthcare providers better understand their patients’ experiences, adapt treatment strategies, and track progress over time. They also empower patients to understand their condition and strengthen their ability to manage anxiety.
What Are Methods for Managing Anxiety?
- The 3-3-3 Rule: During an anxiety crisis, calm can be restored using the 3-3-3 rule: name three things you can see, identify three sounds you can hear, and move three parts of your body—such as your fingers, wrists, and arms.
- Stand Up and Maintain an Upright Posture: When fear is felt, the body instinctively hunches forward, driven by a subconscious impulse to protect the lungs and heart. In situations of excessive anxiety or fear, it is essential to stand up, maintain an upright posture, and send the body a message that everything is normal.
- Focus on the Present Moment: Instead of focusing on what might happen in the future, concentrate on the here and now.
- Anxiety Appointment: Write down all details that trigger anxiety and allocate specific times during the day to address them.
- Avoid Sugar: Excessive sugar consumption can trigger anxiety.
- Keep Yourself Occupied
- Breathing Exercises
