Does Anxiety Contribute to Survival?

    It is possible to hypothesize the contribution of each symptom of anxiety to human’s survival during the Stone Age. Some of the symptoms may be considered as side effect of prolonged high level of stress hormones. However, most of these symptoms may be regarded today as being outdated and irrelevant as coping strategies with modern life stress. As a result, they may interfere with adjustment and cause emotional and/or physical disorders.

• Heart Palpitations. During “fight or flight” reaction, the muscles need more oxygen. Increased heart palpitations and higher levels of blood pressure; supply the muscles with more blood and oxygen.

• Muscle Tension, Such tension improves the reaction time. However, when one does not utilize muscle tension and just stays tens for a long time, it can cause negative side effects such as: trembling limbs, chest pain, headaches, back pain and a lump in the throat.

• Heavy Perspiration Perspiration cools the body, that has warmed up due to increased effort. When stress is prolonged, one may feel a dryness in the mouth prompting the need to increase the intake of water.

• Loosing Weight It can be the result of the slowing down of the digestive system in order to direct the saved energy to "fight or flight" reaction. When the threat lingers, it may cause also digestive discomfort.

• Gaining Weight. Eating has a relaxation effect. When the level of stress is not too high, one tends to over eat. When the level of stress is very high, one tends to loose appetite and loose weight.

• Lowering the Immune System, It helps to direct the saved energy to "fight or flight" reaction.

• Diarrhea and Frequent Urination It makes the body lighter. It helps in running away or climbing a tree in case of a threat. During a fight, it helps to eliminate internal infection, in case of a blow to the abdomen.

• Over-sensitivity to Noise and Sleep Disturbance It helps in staying alert during days and nights but it may cause irritability and fatigue.

• Hyperventilation It increases the oxygen supply to the muscles and to the brain, but excess oxygen may cause dizziness and tingling sensations.

• Shortness of Breath or Holding One’s Breath It is a defense mechanism utilized by humans and by some animals. This serves as camouflage when a predator is approaching. When the threat lingers, the holding of one’s breath changes to shallow breathing, which may cause shortness of breath.

• Difficulty Concentrating It may be considered as a change in focus, from narrow to wide angle. In an emergency, there is an advantage to having a wide-angle focus, which aims at detecting a threatening stimulus from all directions especially when being attacked by several predators: one in the front and others in the back or side.

• Intrusive Thoughts Such thoughts may be due to anticipation of a negative invent or a flash back of one. The aim is to improve our coping strategy.

• Freezing Reaction While being attacked, it reduces the predator's hunting instinct.

• Fainting in a Threatening Situation It may help to escape predators by feigning death.

• Feeling Tired Most of the Day Can be the outcome of prolonged increase in muscle tension and heart palpitations.

• Feeling Irritable It can occur during stress, resembling the actions of a dog that growls or barks when it feels stressed.