The Physiology of Fear
July 20th, 2010 | 
Author: One of the things that both help and hinder us when we face an unexpected emergency or disaster is our physiological reaction to fear.
Obviously it is a very primitive response, and active scientists call our “fight or flight” mechanism. Our fear circuit is located in the section of the amygdala of the brain. This is shaped like an almond, and located deep in our temporal lobes. Once alerted to the danger, the amygdala sends out warning to the rest of your body.
His blood chemistry changes which can clot more easily if you are injured. Your blood vessels constrict so that less blood is lost in case of injury. Your blood pressure and heart rate soar.
Your changes the hormonal balance. Immediately, the control of cortisol and adrenaline metabolism, so you have more strength and energy. Your muscles are stronger. The body produces natural painkillers.
However, this natural response, while very effective in the days when we had to run any danger or fight it unfortunately reduces the capacity of our brain to think clearly. We perceive our environment so much. Our senses narrow to focus only on what is important for survival. Many people get tunnel vision, although some claim to have seen more clearly than usual. Cortisol reduces our ability to think rationally.
Unfortunately, in many disasters that can not escape unless we can find the exit or stairway. We can not leave the plane because our seat belt we are trying to hit a button like a belt drive instead of type on a plane.
If we can get moving, we are more distracted by noise, smoke, confusion and darkness, making it more difficult to find out which is no longer red in hand ignition.
Our mouths are dry because saliva is not an essential function. Neither is digestion, which stops. Sometimes the body decides to control her bladder sphincter and are also essential, so people sometimes wet or evacuate when afraid.
The time seems to slow down, called tachypsychia. Of course, this is an illusion, but that’s how many people feel. That’s probably your brain and the body accelerates, so that the outside world seems slower in comparison. It is practical in many situations. For example, if you can delay your perception of time in a fight with an opponent, you have an advantage over, as they are more subjective time to see attacks and decide how best to counter them.
People often feel dissociated. They see what is happening, but does not feel real. It is as if they were watching a movie. In extreme cases, can even lead to out of body experiences.
Although it is probably impossible to be fully prepared for any disaster without undergoing extensive training for particular problems, such as firefighters and police officers do, their responses can be improved by taking a few moments, when in public places to plan your escape. Just in case.