It is possible to hypothesize the contribution of
each symptom of anxiety to human’s survival during the Stone Age. Some
of the symptoms may be
considered as side effect of prolonged high level of stress hormones.
However, most of these symptoms may be regarded today as being outdated
and irrelevant as coping strategies with modern life
stress. As a result, they may interfere with adjustment and cause
emotional and/or physical disorders.
• Heart Palpitations: During
“fight or flight” reaction, the muscles need more oxygen. Increased
heart palpitations and higher levels of blood pressure; supply the
muscles with more blood and oxygen.
• Muscle Tension: Such
tension improves the reaction time. However, when one does not utilize
muscle tension and just stays tens for a long time, it can cause
negative side effects such as: trembling limbs, chest pain, headaches,
back pain and a lump in the throat.
• Heavy Perspiration: Perspiration
cools the body, that has warmed up due to increased effort. When stress
is prolonged, one may feel a dryness in the mouth prompting the need to increase the intake of water.
• Loosing Weight: It
can be the result of the slowing down of the digestive system in order
to direct the saved energy to "fight or flight" reaction. When the
threat
lingers, it may cause also digestive discomfort.
• Gaining Weight: Eating
has a relaxation effect. When the level of stress is not too high, one
tends to over eat. When the level of stress is very high, one tends to
loose appetite and loose weight.
• Lowering the Immune System: It helps to direct the saved energy to "fight or flight" reaction.
• Diarrhea and Frequent Urination: It
makes the body lighter. It helps in running away or climbing a tree in
case of a threat. During a fight, it helps to eliminate internal infection, in case of a blow to the abdomen.
• Over-sensitivity to Noise and Sleep Disturbance: It helps in staying alert during days and nights but it may cause irritability and fatigue.
• Hyperventilation: It increases the oxygen supply to the muscles and to the brain, but excess oxygen may cause dizziness and tingling sensations.
• Shortness of Breath or Holding One’s Breath: It
is a defense mechanism utilized by humans and by some animals. This
serves as camouflage when a predator is
approaching. When the threat lingers, the holding of one’s breath
changes to shallow breathing, which may cause shortness of breath.
• Difficulty Concentrating: It
may be considered as a change in focus, from narrow to wide angle. In
an emergency, there is an advantage to having a wide-angle
focus, which aims at detecting a threatening stimulus from all
directions especially when being attacked by several predators: one in
the front and others in the back or side.
• Intrusive Thoughts: Such thoughts may be due to anticipation of a negative invent or a flashback of one. The aim is to improve our coping
strategy.
• Freezing Reaction: While being attacked, it reduces the predator's hunting instinct.
• Fainting in a Threatening Situation: It may help to escape predators by feigning death.
• Feeling Tired Most of the Day: Can be the outcome of prolonged increase in muscle tension and heart palpitations.
• Feeling Irritable: It can occur during stress, resembling the actions of a dog that growls or barks when it feels stressed.
