Neural Pathways of Anxiety

Anxiety is a generalized term that can be used to describe feelings of worry or uneasiness that almost all people deal with intermittently in their lives. Anxiety is a stress response to a potentially dangerous stimulus that causes an accelerated heartbeat and quickened breathing. While being stressed is uncomfortable, it’s not necessarily unhealthy if it does not disrupt daily life. An issue arises in those who face prolonged or recurring stress. This type of chronic stress has often been shown to predispose individuals to anxiety disorders (Sanders, 2016), including various panic disorders, phobias, and social anxiety. Another type of anxiety disorder, generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), is characterized by constant and excessive uneasiness about routine life circumstances. GAD often leads to symptoms such as difficulty sleeping or unsatisfying sleep, which can then lead to issues like irritability, muscle tension, general fatigue, and trouble concentrating (The National Institute of Mental Health, 2018). There is no single cause for GAD, but there are many associated risk factors including hormone imbalance, early-life trauma, exposure to repetitive, stressful stimuli, and a relatively slight genetic influence.Ope