This article "Fear and Anxiety in The Feeling Brain" explores the intricate relationship between fear and anxiety, delving into their neurological and psychological underpinnings. It highlights how anxiety disorders, which include phobias, PTSD, and OCD, stem from chronic worry and obsessive thoughts about perceived threats. William James's theory that emotions arise from bodily sensations is discussed, emphasizing that fear is experienced after physical reactions to danger. The article also examines the role of the amygdala and insula in fear and anxiety, noting how heightened activity in these regions correlates with anxious behavior. Furthermore, it addresses the concept of prepared fear learning, explaining why certain stimuli, like snakes and spiders, are more likely to become phobias due to evolutionary factors. Contemporary research and therapeutic approaches, including mindfulness and exposure therapy, are presented as means to manage and understand anxiety disorders.

  • Understand the prevalence and impact of anxiety disorders on day-to-day functioning and overall health.

  • Describe William James's theory on the bodily basis of emotions, specifically fear.

  • Identify the role of the amygdala and insula in the development and experience of fear and anxiety.

  • Explain the concept of prepared fear learning and its evolutionary significance in human phobias.

  • Discuss contemporary research findings on the neurocircuitry of fear and anxiety.

  • Evaluate therapeutic approaches such as mindfulness and exposure therapy for managing anxiety disorders.

Content

    1. Fear & Anxiety in The Feeling Brain by Elizabeth Johnston & Leah Olson

    1. THE NEUROPSYCHOTHERAPIST Issue #18 DOWNLOAD

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