The first thing that many patients ask when they present with serious anxiety problems is “Am I going mad?” Very often, people with anxiety states feel that they are teetering on the edge and that loss of control is imminent.
Indeed, many people become obsessed with the idea that they will lose control in front of their family, friends or strangers and behave in a bizarre, inappropriate or even violent or a dangerous way.
These feelings of loss of control are triggered by high levels of arousal and consequent muscle tension. Thus, if one feels “keyed up” for no apparent reason, the brain is alert to the possibility of action.
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