The surface of the brain consists of our so-called "grey matter". This part of the brain is our computer. Information comes to the grey matter through our eyes, ears, and other special senses. This grey matter acts as a computer and retains information. We call this the memory. Another part to the diagram, labeled the Amygdala. This part of the brain, along with certain other parts of the brain, is responsible for emotions, including anxiety.
The Brain and Anxiety: Information from the book "That's Living Too!
Written by:
henry Jansen PH.D.
and
John Paterson ED.D.
During the time of rest, the Amygdala, is in a resting state. During periods of fear/anxiety, the Amygdala is in a markedly "activated state". Your Amygdala puts all sorts of systems into action through your sympathetic and parasympathetic systems. You then feel a variety of different systems. You're now anxious, you're suffering from a degree of anxiety.
The cortex of the brain is our computer. This part of the brain gives us our memory. our memory consists of all those things that happened in our past. It is also the part of the brain that is responsible for allowing us to think in the future. We might develop a fear of what might happen in the future.
As we worry, our Amygdala will be put into action and this will cause us to have an increase in our blood pressure and heart rate, sweatiness, shakiness, and a sense of concern and apprehension, (anxiety).
Other individuals seem to be "set off" into and anxiety state quickly. Some of us seem to deal with stresses easily, whereas others seem unable to cope with stresses. At it's extreme it becomes a disorder.
