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?"
People with anxious personalities tend to have a general, although often subliminal, belief that the world is a dangerous place and that they must always be on guard to prevent or control any threat to their body and psychological well-being. Their thoughts are frequently dotted with 'what ifs' and 'maybes'.
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.
The sensitive person is often anxious and likely to be a worry-wart. The brain of the sensitive person is sensitized to threat and as a result the body produces adrenalin at the first suggestion of anything in the environment being possibly dangerous to the person. This may be from something external (heat, noise, unpleasant smells, bright lights, scratchy clothing, food with strange textures) or internal (feeling disapproved of, disliked or criticized).
An anxious person may have a strong physical/adrenalin response (called flooding) to irritable tones, raised voices or a suggestion of conflict in their environment, regardless of whether or not the conflict is directed at them. They may startle easily.
Adrenalin arouses the nervous feeling, which is interpreted as the anxious feeling, before the person has a realization of the situation. Once the brain recognizes the fear feeling (adrenalin arousal) it stays on guard for the danger and the thinking then is, 'what if' this and 'what if' that. The brain is trying to find a reason for the fear and will dwell on a person's vulnerability, which may at that time be about their health, finances, relationships, children, work, being disliked, being inadequate. It will always find something to justify the feeling.
Warmly, Karen Gosling - 16463
People with anxious personalities tend to have a general, although often subliminal, belief that the world is a dangerous place and that they must always be on guard to prevent or control any threat to their body and psychological well-being. Their thoughts are frequently dotted with 'what ifs' and 'maybes'.
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.
The sensitive person is often anxious and likely to be a worry-wart. The brain of the sensitive person is sensitized to threat and as a result the body produces adrenalin at the first suggestion of anything in the environment being possibly dangerous to the person. This may be from something external (heat, noise, unpleasant smells, bright lights, scratchy clothing, food with strange textures) or internal (feeling disapproved of, disliked or criticized).
An anxious person may have a strong physical/adrenalin response (called flooding) to irritable tones, raised voices or a suggestion of conflict in their environment, regardless of whether or not the conflict is directed at them. They may startle easily.
Adrenalin arouses the nervous feeling, which is interpreted as the anxious feeling, before the person has a realization of the situation. Once the brain recognizes the fear feeling (adrenalin arousal) it stays on guard for the danger and the thinking then is, 'what if' this and 'what if' that. The brain is trying to find a reason for the fear and will dwell on a person's vulnerability, which may at that time be about their health, finances, relationships, children, work, being disliked, being inadequate. It will always find something to justify the feeling.
Warmly, Karen Gosling - 16463
About the Author:
Karen Gosling has helped thousands of people in more than 30 years to understand how they process emotion. 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
