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Sure, I call it being "attuned to risk." And, I didn't mention it above, but someone mentioned that anxiety was the least useful response to stress, but I'm no
by gerbilly 8y ago
Sure, I call it being "attuned to risk."
And, I didn't mention it above, but someone mentioned that anxiety was the least useful response to stress, but I'm not so sure.
At the individual level it's difficult to experience the world anxiously, but it benefits the group.
Imagine a bunch of monkeys sitting around foraging for food. Some are super chill and don't startle easily, but there will be a few that are anxious and "attuned to danger".
Those anxious monkeys will likely be the first to detect danger and alert the rest of the troupe.
You could say they are providing a service to the rest of the troupe by offloading the vigilance onto a few individuals.
- mattowen_uk 8y agoI have Generalised Anxiety Disorder, and have suffered several completely debilitating panic attacks[1] during my adult life. I can tell you now, it is NOT an asset, no where close. Without my daily drug regimen, I cannot function normally; the mere thought of anything stressful will completely push me over the edge. What you are calling anxiety is not anxiety, it's merely being hyper-aware, helped along with a small dose of Adrenalin. --- [1] real ones, where you curl up into a ball, shaking, crying and wishing you were dead, whilst simultaneously completely believing you are dying.
- gerbilly 8y agoI'm very sorry you are experiencing panic attacks, but you are arguing from marginal cases. It is possible to be predisposed to anxiety without ever having a panic attack.