Panic Attacks Are Necessary - Without Them, We"d Die!
I think that a few words are called for regarding the amygdala.
'Amygdala' is the singular of 'amygdalae,' and are 2 small almond shaped groups, part of the limbic system of the brain.
It's concerned with the formations and storage of memories associated with emotional events.
So you can understand what an important role they play in Panic Attacks.
And Panic Attacks play a very important role in our lives, too.
Panic Attacks are necessary! If you've just had one and you had a gun and we were face to face, you'd shoot me for saying such a thing! But really, they are.
Without them, we'd certainly die.
The amygdalae cause us to re-act instantly, without any thought whatever.
If we had to rely on our conscious minds when faced with danger, say coming nose to kneecap with a slavering great bear, we might think; 'Well, I don't know.
I've heard that wild animals are as frightened of us as we are of them.
Stare him straight in the eyes.
That's supposed to put him off.
Besides, I can't wait around here until he makes his mind up.
I'll be late for lunch.
I think I'll..
' Scrunch..
Gulp.
That's the sound of him eating you! That's why our minds are so tuned that decisions are effectively made for us, without us having to think.
Fight or Flight.
People say, well, we don't need this sort of reactive ability these days.
We're not living in caves any more.
We're not coming face to face with wild animals or other tribes intent on killing us to grab the remains of the dinner we had last night.
True, but we are doing things like crossing the road.
We never know when we may be put in a position to make, quite literally, a life or death choice.
As I showed with the bear, there simply isn't the luxury to stand around thinking about it.
Hence, the primitive parts of our minds, the leftovers from millions of years of survival, kick in automatically and make the decisions for us.
There are three other sensations we have that come with Panic Attacks.
Losing Control.
The amygdalae's decided for whatever reason that you're in danger.
The reason you think you're losing control is that it's taken over your conscious mind to combat this danger.
You just feel different, that's all.
You Feel Weak.
In fact, you're never stronger than during a Panic Attack.
You feel different, because a lot of the blood's been pumped from your stomach into the major muscle groups; your legs, arms, shoulders.
This prepares you for the fight or flight response.
You Believe You'll Be Embarrassed.
It is embarrassing to pass out in front of a crowd of people, although it probably won't happen, but actually all that's hurt is your pride! So to put it very bluntly, when Panic Attacks are necessary, what's worse? Embarrassment or death?
'Amygdala' is the singular of 'amygdalae,' and are 2 small almond shaped groups, part of the limbic system of the brain.
It's concerned with the formations and storage of memories associated with emotional events.
So you can understand what an important role they play in Panic Attacks.
And Panic Attacks play a very important role in our lives, too.
Panic Attacks are necessary! If you've just had one and you had a gun and we were face to face, you'd shoot me for saying such a thing! But really, they are.
Without them, we'd certainly die.
The amygdalae cause us to re-act instantly, without any thought whatever.
If we had to rely on our conscious minds when faced with danger, say coming nose to kneecap with a slavering great bear, we might think; 'Well, I don't know.
I've heard that wild animals are as frightened of us as we are of them.
Stare him straight in the eyes.
That's supposed to put him off.
Besides, I can't wait around here until he makes his mind up.
I'll be late for lunch.
I think I'll..
' Scrunch..
Gulp.
That's the sound of him eating you! That's why our minds are so tuned that decisions are effectively made for us, without us having to think.
Fight or Flight.
People say, well, we don't need this sort of reactive ability these days.
We're not living in caves any more.
We're not coming face to face with wild animals or other tribes intent on killing us to grab the remains of the dinner we had last night.
True, but we are doing things like crossing the road.
We never know when we may be put in a position to make, quite literally, a life or death choice.
As I showed with the bear, there simply isn't the luxury to stand around thinking about it.
Hence, the primitive parts of our minds, the leftovers from millions of years of survival, kick in automatically and make the decisions for us.
There are three other sensations we have that come with Panic Attacks.
Losing Control.
The amygdalae's decided for whatever reason that you're in danger.
The reason you think you're losing control is that it's taken over your conscious mind to combat this danger.
You just feel different, that's all.
You Feel Weak.
In fact, you're never stronger than during a Panic Attack.
You feel different, because a lot of the blood's been pumped from your stomach into the major muscle groups; your legs, arms, shoulders.
This prepares you for the fight or flight response.
You Believe You'll Be Embarrassed.
It is embarrassing to pass out in front of a crowd of people, although it probably won't happen, but actually all that's hurt is your pride! So to put it very bluntly, when Panic Attacks are necessary, what's worse? Embarrassment or death?
Source...