HOW DOES SEPARATION ANXIETY SHED LIGHT ON PANIC DISORDER?
THE OPIOIDERGIC SYSTEM AND PANIC There is compelling evidence suggesting a connection between panic disorder and deficits in endogenous opioids, which are naturally produced by the brain and contribute to our sense of well-being. Studies have indicated that the sensitivity to carbon dioxide (CO2) is modulated by the opioidergic system. Endogenous opioids appear to reduce […]
SAFETY-SEEKING BEHAVIORS TO CONTROL ANXIETY
In accordance with cognitive-behavioral theory, anxiety disorders manifest when individuals perceive situations as more perilous than they truly are. This distortion in perception sets off a chain reaction of responses, beginning with a heightened focus on threat-related stimuli, physiological arousal, and the adoption of safety-seeking behaviors, such as avoidance and escape tactics. Paradoxically, these safety-seeking […]
HOW DOES SOCIAL ANXIETY AFFECT ROMANTIC RELATIONSHIPS?
The ability to express one’s emotions has been associated with decreased physiological tension, increased well-being, and improved goal-attainment. In intimate relationships, expressing and sharing emotions plays a crucial role in fostering social support from one’s partner, particularly during times of distress, while also nurturing the maintenance of intimacy. SOCIAL ANXIETY AND EMOTION EXPRESSION Socially anxious […]