IF I SUFFER FROM ANXIETY, IS MY BRAIN DIFFERENT THAN OTHER PEOPLE'S?

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Over the years, researchers have attempted to identify brain chemicals and structures that may be involved in anxiety. Below are some of their findings.

A chemical in the brain called serotonin has been linked to several human functions, such as mood, sleep, memory, and appetite. Serotonin is active in a number of areas of the brain, including the amygdala , a structure that controls fear and anxiety responses. Research has suggested that people with anxiety disorders may suffer from a deficiency of serotonin. This may be why a class of antidepressants called SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors), which increase the level of serotonin in the brain, have been successful in the treatment of anxiety disorders. The amygdala itself is currently the focus of much research on anxiety disorders, and findings suggest that emotional memories stored in this portion of the brain may contribute to phobias.

Another promising area of continued investigation involves the brain amino acid GABA , short for gamma-aminobutyric acid. Evidence suggests that GABA may be deficient in people who suffer from anxiety. Research has shown that decreases in GABA can promote anxiety, restlessness, racing thoughts, and difficulty sleeping. By offsetting the effects of an excitement-producing brain chemical known as glutamate, GABA works to tone down brain activity and keep you calm. Benzodiazepines help boost the effect of the GABA in your brain. New research is focusing on the specific sites where GABA is received, and working to identify the functions of each of these sites. This opens up the possibility of developing medications that activate the good aspects of GABA without promoting addictive side effects.

Modern brain technology allows us to look at differences in how brains function. Through imaging technology, we can observe blood flow to certain areas of the brain, and notice differences in the size of structures within the brain. In addition to the amygdala, researchers have focused on the hippocampus , a part of the brain that helps to encode information into memories. Studies have shown that the hippocampus can be up to 25% smaller in people who have undergone severe stress because of child abuse or military combat. This may explain why these individuals experience flashbacks, fragmented memories, and difficulty recalling details of the events.

It is encouraging that the more we learn about brain structure and function in people with anxiety disorders, the more we may be able to treat these concerns with better medications and therapies.

Source: The Anxiety Answer Book by: Laurie A. Helgoe, PhD, Laura R. Wilhelm, PhD, Martin J. Kommor, MD