The Evolution of Worry by Dr. Dorothy McCoy

The Evolution of Worry

Worry can spark action if you worry and realize a plan of action needs to be initiated-- and you act. Under those circumstance worry is serving you well.

Worry can spark your imagination. Sometimes having a cerebral cortex is not much fun. Imagination can litter our internal environment with every manner of fearful possibility. Many fearful possibilities do not exist outside of our fertile imaginations. Nonetheless, they trigger the same damaging chemical and physical changes as a genuine emergency.

Physical and Chemical Changes. Your body starts pumping out an array of chemicals (such as adrenaline) that increase the flow of blood and oxygen to your brain and skeletal muscles. Your blood also clots faster, ready to repair any injuries you sustain in your “fight or flight” reaction.

Possible Consequences of Worry and Stress

You may be all keyed up with nothing to fight or flee and no way to turn off the stress chemicals. You become a ticking bomb that is not allowed to explode—so you may implode. If this happens frequently, it can have a serious, even deadly, effect on your health.

Every system in your body is affected by worry. In addition to raising blood pressure and increasing blood clotting, worry can prompt your liver to produce more cholesterol, all of which can raise your risk of heart attack and stroke. Muscle tension can give rise to headaches, back pain, and other body aches. Worry can also trigger an increase in stomach acid and either slow or speed up muscle contractions in your intestines, which can lead to stomach aches, constipation, diarrhea, gas or heartburn. Worry can affect your skin (rash or itch). It can impact your respiratory system by aggravating asthma. Growing evidence even suggests that chronic worry can compromise your immune system, making you more vulnerable to bacteria, viruses, perhaps even cancer.

Go to Page 2

BIO:

Dr. McCoy has a doctorate in Counseling Psychology and is CEO and founder of Dr. McCoy's Self-Help Books.
www.Counseling.com/DrMcCoy/

Some Aditional Articles you may enjoy

What is Dyspraxia? by James O'Keefe

Diving with Asthma by Sheldon Hey

When it comes to Menopause- You Are What You Eat by Dawn M. Olsen

Facing Sun Effects by Roger Carr

Vitamin A – The Glow-in-the-dark Vitamin by David Leonhardt

Click a Number to go to an article index page
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 | 32 | 33 | 34 | 35 | 36 | 37 | 38 | 39