ABSTRACT
Physical symptoms of anxiety include a pounding heart, rapid breathing, feeling dizzy, tense muscles, tingling feelings and a tight chest. They are part of the ‘fi ght or fl ight response’, which is the body’s way of preparing you to fi ght or run away if you feel under threat. For example, if you are under attack, your muscles need to be tense and ready for action, your heart and breathing rates need to increase to allow blood and oxygen to go to your muscles so they can respond quickly and readily, and it is important to sweat to stop your body overheating. Although it might have been useful long ago when we lived in caves, this fi ght or fl ight response is not always helpful today.
