If you're an anxious person you experience a strong reaction to things in your environment that may be a threat, which results in you having a larger stress response then someone else. As an anxious person you will find it difficult to tolerate uncertainty about the future and things that may go wrong. This may be about world events - for example, terrorist attacks or plane crashes - or matters relating to your relationship or your health. For example: "What if he doesn't really love me?" or "What if I've got cancer?"
The anxious person believes subliminally that there is danger all around in this world and that if they're not always on guard there may be potential threat to their body or psychological well being. They are constantly thinking 'what if this?' and 'maybe that?'
A person behaves a certain way because of a need to minimize or get rid of a stimulus or situation that is causing him to feel stressed. For example, a person may often say, "Yes" if someone asks him to take on more work, and is considered to be an obliging person. It is possible however, that he is actually anxious about receiving criticism and disapproval if he said, "No".
Sometimes the anxious person is not aware that he experiences anxiety. The physical manifestations of discomfort, and changes to the gut or bowel, or problems with the immune or nervous systems, are often seem as physical problems requiring tests and treatment, and the cognitive (thinking) involvement is not at first recognized.
Often, every anxious or negative thought (which then becomes the stressor) can cause adrenalin to rise in the body. Adrenalin is the stress chemical with the 'fight' or 'flight' mechanism in case the situation is dangerous. This adrenalin gets stored in the muscles leaving the person feeling 'on guard' in the event of any danger. This stress feeling may result in the person having an overreaction to a small event due to the build up of adrenalin already in the body. Others may be surprised by this intense reaction.
It is quite common for an anxious person to also be a sensitive person, prone to worrying. Sensitive people have a brain that is always on guard to any threat, resulting in the body producing adrenalin at the slightest suggestion of there being any "danger" in the environment. This could be in reality an external stimulus (heat, noise, unpleasant smells, bright lights, scratchy clothing, food with strange textures) or a threat from internal appraisals (feeling disapproved of, disliked or criticized).
A person with an anxious personality is likely to have strong floods of adrenalin in an environment where there are raised voices, irritable tones, or any suggestion of conflict, regardless of whether or not they are involved in the conflict. It is common for them to be jumpy and startle easily.
The adrenalin arouses the nervous system, creating the "anxious" feeling, even before the person can rationalize the situation. But once the brain recognizes the adrenalin arousal, it begins to "watch out" for the danger, and the thoughts then commence, 'what if' this and 'what if' that. The thoughts typically flow to the person's vulnerability at the time, which may be about their health, finances, relationships, children, work, being disliked, being inadequate - there is always something the brain will find as dangerous to justify the physical anxious sensation.
Best wishes, Karen Gosling - 15431
The anxious person believes subliminally that there is danger all around in this world and that if they're not always on guard there may be potential threat to their body or psychological well being. They are constantly thinking 'what if this?' and 'maybe that?'
A person behaves a certain way because of a need to minimize or get rid of a stimulus or situation that is causing him to feel stressed. For example, a person may often say, "Yes" if someone asks him to take on more work, and is considered to be an obliging person. It is possible however, that he is actually anxious about receiving criticism and disapproval if he said, "No".
Sometimes the anxious person is not aware that he experiences anxiety. The physical manifestations of discomfort, and changes to the gut or bowel, or problems with the immune or nervous systems, are often seem as physical problems requiring tests and treatment, and the cognitive (thinking) involvement is not at first recognized.
Often, every anxious or negative thought (which then becomes the stressor) can cause adrenalin to rise in the body. Adrenalin is the stress chemical with the 'fight' or 'flight' mechanism in case the situation is dangerous. This adrenalin gets stored in the muscles leaving the person feeling 'on guard' in the event of any danger. This stress feeling may result in the person having an overreaction to a small event due to the build up of adrenalin already in the body. Others may be surprised by this intense reaction.
It is quite common for an anxious person to also be a sensitive person, prone to worrying. Sensitive people have a brain that is always on guard to any threat, resulting in the body producing adrenalin at the slightest suggestion of there being any "danger" in the environment. This could be in reality an external stimulus (heat, noise, unpleasant smells, bright lights, scratchy clothing, food with strange textures) or a threat from internal appraisals (feeling disapproved of, disliked or criticized).
A person with an anxious personality is likely to have strong floods of adrenalin in an environment where there are raised voices, irritable tones, or any suggestion of conflict, regardless of whether or not they are involved in the conflict. It is common for them to be jumpy and startle easily.
The adrenalin arouses the nervous system, creating the "anxious" feeling, even before the person can rationalize the situation. But once the brain recognizes the adrenalin arousal, it begins to "watch out" for the danger, and the thoughts then commence, 'what if' this and 'what if' that. The thoughts typically flow to the person's vulnerability at the time, which may be about their health, finances, relationships, children, work, being disliked, being inadequate - there is always something the brain will find as dangerous to justify the physical anxious sensation.
Best wishes, Karen Gosling - 15431
About the Author:
Karen Gosling has helped thousands of people in more than 30 years to understand their own and their partner's emotional style. Her 1-hour "Surviving Emotional Style" DVD and audio CD with transcript will show you how. You will find nearly everything you need to know about managing your emotional style so that your relationships aren't impacted by anger or anxiety. Go to: Surviving Emotional Style
