Missing 'brake in the brain' can trigger anxiety
Wednesday, December 4, 2013 - 20:00
in Psychology & Sociology
Fear, at the right level, can increase alertness and protect against dangers. Disproportionate fear, on the other hand, can disrupt the sensory perception, be disabling, reduce happiness and therefore become a danger in itself. In anxiety disorders, the fear is so strong that there is tremendous psychological strain and living a normal life seems impossible. Researchers have now found a possible explanation as to how social phobias and fear can be triggered in the brain: a missing inhibitory connection or missing “brake” in the brain.