Anxiety can enter anyone's life in a most mysterious manner. Even though it is thought to take hold of those who are normally nervous or high-strung, this is not necessarily true. Anybody can find him or herself inflicted with an anxiety disorder. It may seem logical to think the A-type, or on-edge person will be the most likely candidate for becoming anxiously ill, but in the long run this philosophy doesn't hold true.

Adrenaline responds to a fight or flight reaction. So, it may be those who are nervous by nature are used to and therefore, less prone to fight their nerves. This means they will be less inclined to stoke the fires of anxiety by trying to fight or runaway from the feelings of anxiousness. At this point, it is beneficial to recognize there is a difference between one of these persons who is high strung by nature and one who is currently in a stressed out condition.

In this article, we will see if we can recognize traits of those of us who have had or now experience anxiety disorder. In this way, we will see if we can find an approach we could take that would nip this terrible condition in the bud. Also, by the same token we will see if it may be possible to reverse anxiety once it has taken hold by simply changing our outlook.

The first element of anxiety

Anxiety disorder basically, is constructed from two different stages. The first is plain ordinary nervousness. Everyone has a reason to become nervous from time to time, maybe even extremely nervous!

When we become extremely nervous, it does not mean anxiety disorder has occurred. It simply means a condition has been met where our adrenaline glands have secreted a large amount of adrenaline, which is now running through our bloodstreams. So, this is dictating how we feel and the way many of our organs are functioning.

Nervousness is normal and beneficial

This adrenaline secretion is a normal bodily function. We were constructed in such a way it helped us defend ourselves from dangers of the wild. For instance, if we met up with a vicious, wild animal while we were walking down a path through the woods, adrenaline would shoot through our veins. It would make us stronger and able to run faster and respond in an instant without taking time to think.

We owe our existence to the fact our ancestors were able to run away from danger because of the state adrenaline put their minds and bodies in thousands of years ago. Without getting into an adrenaline prepared condition, they would have been unable to flee such dangers and would have in all likelihood been eaten.

In the twenty-first century, there are not too many of us who need to flee wild animals. Still, we receive outside stimuli that will send adrenaline racing through our systems. When it does, we feel very strange! Our hearts race, our palms sweat, our pupils dilate and these bodily manifestations often make us see, hear and do things out of the ordinary. It is at this time, when anxiety disorder can develop.

Fearing fear

When we are in this condition, it is bewildering at least. Many times we think we have some severe physical problem or that we are going insane. The way out of this maze of confusion is to realize adrenaline is causing us to feel the way we do and when the adrenaline runs it course, we will return to normal.

When we don't recognize this fact, we become fearful of the state of mind and body adrenaline has put us in and we try to fight or run away from it. This, of course, pumps more adrenaline through our bodies and heightens our defenses while it brings on more intense feelings of unreality.

Go with the flow

So, what is this trait we are looking for that will make us immune to anxiety disorder? It is passivity. By all means, if you think you are having a heart attack or some other severe condition, see a doctor! However, once the medical community has cleared you of these things, realize adrenaline is your enemy and fear is the food it feeds on.

Use relaxation to make your body less prone to stressed out conditions, and when adrenaline's manifestations strike, be prepared by paying them no mind. Once you are able to do this, anxiety will pack its bags and be on its way.