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maeberttoday at 2:17 PM1 replyview on HN

This goes back all the way to the beginnings of Psychology. William James, who is considered the somewhat of godfather of Psychology, argued that all feelings are bodily feelings; ie. emotions are caused by bodily sensations. Your heart is not beating BECAUSE of anxiety, rather your beating heart IS anxiety. You don’t tremble because you’re afraid, you’re “afraid” (a complex emotion mediated by stories we have) because you tremble.

It’s a theory psychologists and philosophers still argue about.


Replies

mewpmewp2today at 2:22 PM

So if my heart rate stays the same even though I feel anxious I am not anxious? I am thinking I am anxious and that I don't feel good, but I don't really notice any physical symptoms.

E.g. I am worried about upcoming deadlines, or whether I am going to make it, maybe it is not a direct fight or flight anxiety though, but what is it then, just stress?