When we are faced with any challenge our bodies produce substances that raise our anxiety levels to help us meet the challenge. It is known as the “Flight or Fight” response. This is generally how it happens.
A situation is perceived as dangerous – your brain tells the adrenal glands (located on the top of your kidneys) to release adrenalin into your blood vessels. The adrenalin is then carried though your body and reaches your heart, lungs , muscles etc producing the changes that your body needs to react.
What can happen then, as an example, is that your muscles need more oxygen, to either run or fight, so your breathing becomes quicker and deeper to enable you to take it in. The bloodstream carries the oxygen to where it needs to be. To enable this to be done quickly the blood vessels in the relevant areas dilate in order to let the blood in resulting in the heart beating faster to pump it through.In areas where the oxygen is not need, such as the digestive system, the blood vessels contract.
Recognise any of the symptoms?
- Breathing getting quicker,
- Heart beating faster,
- “Butterflies” in the tummy,
- Not being able to get enough air,
This is all well and good if the situation you are reacting to is dangerous, your body is on “red alert” ready and able to react. You are, for example, able to jump out of the way of the oncoming the car. When appropiate actions are taken, the chemical changes produced by the reaction are used up and the body returns to normal. However when neither response is appropriate, such as a visit to the dentist, the biochemical changes have already taken place. The body is aroused and requires much more time to return to normal.
Generally if you experience a lot of stress you are living in a state of constant readiness to respond to flight or fight. You are effectively “running on overdrive”
Possible symptoms of the Flight and Fight response
- Headaches, dizziness
- Blurred vision
- Dry mouth, difficulty swallowing
- Aching neck, backache
- Rapid breathing
- Palpitations, tight chest
- Nausea, indigestion
- Frequent need to visit the toilet
- Excessive sweating
Fortunately, we are able to train our bodies to counteract the anxiety symptoms by learing to relax. It is not possible to be anxious and relaxed at the same time so by being able to relax it is possible to control anxiety.
So how can I relax?
- Relaxation Excercises
- Breathing techniques
- Relaxation tapes
- Hypnosis
- Meditation
- Relative Analgesia (Inhalation Sedation)
- Sedation
- Alternative therapies
- Bach Flower remedies
- Aromatherapy
- Homeopathy
Can anyone use these techniques?
Relaxation techniques can be used by anyone. Normal care should be exercised using alternatve therapies. Your dentist will advise you on the use of Relative Analgesia and Sedation. Always consult a fully qualified professional if you choose to explore hypnosis.