Anxiety, Panic Anxiety And Stress is a physiological state that causes the sympathetic nervous system (SNS). The SNS has always been active in the base level (called sympathetic tone) and becomes more active in stressful situations. The “flight or fight” response is controlled from here. Anxiety does not need an outside influence to occur, we can create an anxiety state for ourselves. Anxiety is often based on irrational or unreasonable fear (fear of fear, the worry of what could happen if …). If you doubt this, just think back to the last time you were waiting to be called in for a job interview or when your child went missing at the mall shopping. Panic is related to the “fight or flight” mechanism. It is a reaction brought on by outside stimulus and is a product of the sympathetic nervous system. Panic, in general, is a fright that can dominate or even replace our thinking. Panic usually occurs in a situation perceived to be health threatening or life threatening. Panic anxiety is a state where we are thinking about. If you have experienced flooding in your kitchen or bathroom to be stuck in a lift, you’d probably be able to feel the panic that came over you. Panic is such fear writ large and in large letters.

