Systems Involved

Anxiety is a risk or danger reaction. Scientifically, the fight / flight reaction is called

acute or short-term anxiety. It is so called because all of its implications are directed at either

combating the danger or escaping it. Anxiety expresses itself across three different systems

and since each one can be primary in any individual person, it is important to recognize these

systems. The three systems are: the mental system that contains the actual feelings of

nervousness, anxiety, and fear, as well as thoughts like "something is wrong." All physical

symptoms, such as dizziness, sweating, palpitations, chest pain and breathlessness, are part of

the physical system. And then the behavioral system involves actual activities such as

walking, tapping of the foot and avoidance.

Physical System

Nervous and Chemical Effects

The brain sends signals to a portion of your nerves called the autonomic nervous

system when some form of danger is sensed or expected. There are two subsections or

branches of the autonomic nervous system, called the sympathetic nervous system and the

parasympathetic nervous system. It is these two nervous system branches that are specifically

involved in regulating the energy levels of the body and planning for action. One significant

aspect is that the sympathetic nervous system appears to be essentially a system of anything

or none. That is, all of its parts react when it is triggered. In other words, all symptoms are

either encountered or no symptoms are experienced; in one part of the body alone, it is

uncommon for changes to occur. This may explain why there are multiple symptoms

involved with most panic attacks and not just one or two. One of the main effects of the

sympathetic nervous system is that two chemicals called adrenaline and non-adrenaline are

released into the kidneys from the adrenal glands. In exchange, these chemicals are used by
the sympathetic nervous system to continue activity as messengers, such that once activity

starts in the sympathetic nervous system, it always persists and increases for some time.

Cardiovascular Effects

The increase in heart rate and heart beat strength is created by activity in the

sympathetic nervous system. This is important for activity preparation as it helps to accelerate

blood flow, thereby enhancing the delivery of oxygen to the tissues and the removal from the

tissues of waste products. There is a shift in blood flow as well, in addition to increased

activity in the heart.