u/avocado-toast420

The community mental health agency I work for is providing a workshop on anxiety to our service users. There was an idea from some on our team to include some basic explanation of the basic brain structures/processes involved in anxiety. None of us are Psychologists. Hoping to ensure this is generally accurate but still simple enough not to estrange participants.

“Anxiety & the brain
Your brain is constantly scanning for possible threats. This protective system evolved to help us notice and respond quickly to potential danger.

1. Threat detection networks notice something that might be dangerous
2. The amygdala (threat alarm) and related brain networks activate a threat response
3. The sympathetic nervous system (body’s gas pedal) and stress-response systems prepare us to respond:
   -Heart rate & breathing may increase
   -Attention narrows towards perceived threat
   -Muscles tense
   -Digestion and other non-urgent processes may change
4. The prefrontal cortex (reasoning & decision-making) and hippocampus (connects past experiences to the present) helps use context, memory, and reasoning to determine:
   “How dangerous is this actually, and what should I do?”

The community mental health agency I work for is providing a workshop on anxiety to our service users. There was an idea from some on our team to include some basic explanation of the basic brain structures/processes involved in anxiety. None of us are psychologists. It doesnt have to be perfect, but hoping to ensure this is generally accurate but still simple enough not to estrange participants.

“Anxiety & the brain
Your brain is constantly scanning for possible threats. This protective system evolved to help us notice and respond quickly to potential danger.

1. Threat detection networks notice something that might be dangerous

2. The amygdala (threat alarm) and related brain networks activate a threat response

3. The sympathetic nervous system (body’s gas pedal) and stress-response systems prepare us to respond:

4. Heart rate & breathing may increase

,

1. Attention narrows towards perceived threat

,

1. Muscles tense

,

1. Digestion and other non-urgent processes may change

3. The prefrontal cortex (reasoning & decision-making) and hippocampus (connects past experiences to the present) helps use context, memory, and reasoning to determine:

“

1. How dangerous is this actually, and what should I do?”