16. The Interplay Between Memory and Anxiety
18. Irrational anxiety is about being afraid of our own feelings
All types of anxiety produce similar feelings, and there’s no distinct sensation between rational and irrational anxiety attacks. While rational anxiety typically involves adrenaline release, irrational anxiety often involves cortisol. The key difference lies in our reactions to these two types of anxiety, not in the sensations themselves. Anxiety diagnoses categorize the causes and symptoms rather than the feelings. Diagnoses are based on triggers and symptoms, not the subjective experience of anxiety. Which is the real problem.
That’s why the cause of irrational anxiety is never the main problem.
The unpleasantness always is.
At its core, all anxiety is about the discomfort it brings. It’s inaccurate to say “I have anxiety” or refer to “my anxiety” as if it’s a possession. Anxiety is an experience, not an entity you own. The reason behind the anxiety is less important than how you respond to it. Your response determines whether anxiety becomes a problem.
We tend to react physically to rational anxiety but not to irrational anxiety, which is why the latter often feels more uncomfortable and leads to panic.
Fact: Anxiety symptoms are a complex biological reaction to adrenaline release. Without adrenaline, there are no anxiety symptoms.
Therefore, a thorough understanding of how adrenaline functions can enlighten us about irrational anxiety and how to avoid it.
