Anxiety comes from a fight or flight response from our limbic system which is situated in our brain, and this is in relation to our bodies sensing we are in danger. Our fight or flight response is an automatic reaction or a sense of danger which we have no control over. Our body releases adrenaline and cortisol hormones which creates the physical symptoms of anxiety we feel when we are anxious. When the threat no longer exists, our bodies release other chemicals to help us calm down.
The problem for us arises when we are in a constant state of fight of flight and our bodies are releasing excessive amounts of adrenaline and cortisol which creates palpitations, hot and sweaty feelings, dry mouth and other physical symptoms of anxiety. Because we feel this and it worries us we focus on our anxiety feelings which creates more adrenaline and cortisol to be released into our bodies.
CBT can help you identify your thoughts and feelings which are leading to anxious symptoms so that you can take back control of your life. By identifying your thoughts and challenging them you will reduce the physical symptoms you may be experiencing. Anxiety does not control you, your thoughts do. The more we focus on anxiety the more we experience it.