Anxiety is closely tied to the primitive emotions of “fight or flight”. As our survival is no longer as precarious as it was when these emotions developed, anxiety has, in many cases, replaced the fight or flight response and is now subjugated, often welling up when we are uncertain about the conditions of our life.
Unchecked anxiety can cause significant long term physical health problems as well as leading to substance abuse, particularly alcohol and recreational drugs.
The key to dealing with anxiety is understanding the triggers which bring it on and then how to manage the physical responses, whilst at the same time formulating a mental and emotional strategy to keep it under control.
Like most things, the triggers for anxiety may be deeply buried in long-forgotten experiences, the challenge is to learn how to manage them and the effect they have on our lives.
