I find it so interesting how the Amygdala is like a switch in our brain that controls anxiety. I mean..it is expected for it to switch on in certain anxiety related situations, (such as a school exam), but when we suffer from anxiety, this switch is constantly stuck in the “on” position.

So what causes anxiety symptoms? It basically is the result from an abnormal increase in the levels of adrenaline in the blood, which sets off a “chain reaction” of normal but inappropriate bodily functions. This causes anxiety symptoms to show.

At this time the subconscious mind becomes “reset” to a higher anxiety level in the Amygdala, which is only a small almond-shaped organ in our central brain. To be such a small organ, it has such a great responsibility. It controls emotion by acting as a switch. When this switch is “OFF” our body behaves as normal, when the switch is “ON”, anxiety symptoms become apparent. When this “switch” is stuck on, anxiety disorders are formed.

What causes the Amygdala to become stuck ON? It occurs when our brain adopts behaviour which supports and reinforces the anxiousness.

The Amygdala responds only to behavioural and emotional input. What this basically means is that the Amygdala is “programmed” by our activities and experiences. When we behave anxiously we programme the Amygdala through “operant conditioning” (learning through repetition), to behave anxiously.

Now your probably thinking, “well how can I remove this anxious habit”? In order to be able to remove this anxious habit, you have to re-programme it to replace that habit with non-anxious reactions. This is simply done by just practicing being “not anxious”. I know..it sounds easy, but at times is hard to do. When you can do this, eventually, the Amygdala adopts that behaviour as “normal”.

The main thing is to realize that YOU are in CONTROL of your brain via your
thoughts and actions. You control you, not the world.

Once you realize this..the new YOU can be evident. 🙂