Physiological and Psychological Responses to Anxiety
Autonomic nervous system responses to fear and anxiety cause involuntary activities in the body including the self-defense mechanism. Sympathetic nerve fibers "activate" vital signs at any sign of danger for preparing the body's defenses. The adrenal glands release adrenaline (epinephrine), which causes the body to take in more oxygen, dilates pupils, and increases arterial pressure and heart rate while making constricting peripheral blood vessels and makes shunting of blood from the gastrointestinal and reproductive system and increases glycogenolysis be free glucose to sustain heart , muscle, and central nervous system. When the danger has ended, parasympathetic nerve fibers reverse this process and restore the body to its normal state until the signs of the next threat to re-activate the sympathetic response (Videbeck, 2008).
Anxiety causes the response of cognitive, psychomotor and physiological uncomfortable, such as difficulty thinking logically, increased motor activity, agitation, and increased vital signs. To reduce discomfort, individuals try to reduce the discomfort level to perform adaptive behavior that is new or defense mechanisms. Adaptive behavior can be a positive thing and helps individuals adapt and learn, for example: using imagination techniques to refocus attention on the beautiful scenery, relaxation of the body sequentially from head to toe, and breathing slowly and regularly to reduce muscle tension and vital signs. Negative response to anxiety can lead to maladaptive behaviors, such as headache due to tension, pain syndromes and stress-related responses that lead to immune efficiency (Videbeck, 2008).
Anxiety can be passed from one individual to another individual through words, for example, heard a shout "fire" in a crowded room or hear the sound vibrating from the mother who can not find the child in a crowded mall. Anxiety may be communicated nonverbally through empathy, a sense of self-adjust the position of others for some time (Sullivan, in Videbeck, 2008).
When people become anxious, they use defense mechanisms to reduce anxiety. Defense mechanisms is the cognitive distortions used by a person to maintain a sense of control over stressful situations. This process includes self deception, limited awareness of the situation, or the emotional commitment is lacking. Most defense mechanisms arise from the subconscious so that individuals do not consciously use it. When the patient can not explain the accident that had just happened, his mind was using the mechanism of repression (forget the terrifying events that unconsciously).
Some individuals use excessive defense mechanisms and it stopped them learn a variety of appropriate methods to cope with situations that cause anxiety. Dependence on one or two defense mechanisms can also inhibit the growth of emotional, causing poor problem-solving skills, and cause trouble in a relationship.