That does actually make a ton of sence to me. When I get a panic attack, it is like a RUSH of something and then a panic follows. It comes from out of the blue and if I had to describe it, I would say it is like a rush of adreniline.
That's exactly what it is. Fight or Flight is what gives 90lb mothers the strength that's needed to lift up the back end of a car that's crushing their child. Fight or Flight is great for us to have if we're in danger. Our problem is it happens too often and at times when we are not really in danger. Here's something I lifted off a website, good site by the way.
When our fight or flight response is activated, sequences of nerve cell firing occur and chemicals like adrenaline, noradrenaline and cortisol are released into our bloodstream. These patterns of nerve cell firing and chemical release cause our body to undergo a series of very dramatic changes. Our respiratory rate increases. Blood is shunted away from our digestive tract and directed into our muscles and limbs, which require extra energy and fuel for running and fighting. Our pupils dilate. Our awareness intensifies. Our sight sharpens. Our impulses quicken. Our perception of pain diminishes. Our immune system mobilizes with increased activation. We become prepared€”physically and psychologically€”for fight or flight. We scan and search our environment, "looking for the enemy."
These are things we don't realise at the time but it is great to have this kind of alarm system for the body when it's not on the fritz.
