How the Brain Works The Facts Visually Explained by DK (z-lib.org)

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COMMUNICATION

Fear and Anger

Angry or afraid?The bodily reactions to fear and anger are similar.

It is mainly the way we interpret the sensations we experience that determines whether we feel afraid

or angry. One theory suggests that if we know why a negative event happened, and who was responsible for it, we will feel angry. If we are unable to figure out the cause, or it is out of our control, we will feel fear.

Panic attacksPanic attacks are physical reactions to fear or anxiety. Symptoms include

a pounding heart; chest pain; rapid, shallow breathing; and sweating. Initially, sufferers can think they are having a heart attack. The first step to break the cycle is to recognize that you are experiencing a panic attack.

You are woken by loud noises downstairs in the middle of

the night.

You live alone so know there should not be anyone here. You recall your

roommate was out and

realize she has

come back.

Without being able to figure out the cause, you feel afraid. Sensations are interpreted as anger about inconsiderate

behavior.

YOU LIVE ALONE LIVE WITH ROOMMATE

Fight-or-

flight reflex is triggered

The triggerPanic attacks can have a single

trigger, like a phobia, or

begin without warning,

as stress and anxiety

build up.

Panic attack

Left unchecked, this can

spiral into a full-blown

panic attack. Sufferers may even fear they

are dying.

Physical effect Physical sensations,

such as an increase in

heart rate, occur in

response to the hormones.

Anxiety builds

Unaware of the

triggers and unsure why this is happening,

your anxiety increases.

Immune system activity reducedIn the moment, dealing with infections is not crucial, so the immune system shuts down to save energy.

Bladder

muscles relaxThis causes us to need to urinate, which rids the body of excess weight and makes us faster and lighter.

Blood sugar spikesSugar stores are released from the liver to provide the muscles with the energy they need to work. Fat stores are also mobilized.

Blood flows

to musclesBlood carries nutrients and oxygen to the muscles, readying them to fight or flee from danger.

4 PERCENT

OF PEOPLE WORLDWIDE HAVE ARACHNOPHOBIA

,

A

FEAR

OF

SPIDERS

1

2

3

4

5

6

The panic

cycle

Interpreting danger Your brain

construes the feelings as danger and releases fight-or-

flight hormones.

Symptoms

increase

More hormones

are released,

and symptoms

get worse, increasing

anxiety further.

Context is keyWhether we react with fear or anger to a particular stimulus is often conditioned by its context.

US_108-109_Fear_and_Anger.indd 109 20/09/2019 12:35