You notice that your aunt, who has generalized anxiety disorder, is often restless and has trouble concentrating. Which area of her brain is most likely responsible for her responses to anxiety-provoking events? A. Amygdala B. Hypothalamus C. Anterior cingulate cortex D. Cingulate gyrus

Amygdala

Explanation:

Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD occurs when an individual experiences excessive and continuous worry and anxiety about certain things ,It is caused by  over activation  of the region of the brain that mediate response to fight and flight stimulus and fear,the amygdala.

Its  symptoms are  difficulty with concentrations, overthinking ,indecision, irregular sleep patterns.

Two brain circuits  transmitted  sensory stimuli of fear or danger in the brain  to two regions of the brain,

1. the peripheral cerebral cortex for voluntary decisions

2. the Amygdala for involuntary emotional decision.

The amygdala  is concerned with  how the body reacts to the effects of the stimuli in the immediate environments, the interactions of the stimuli with  the emotions of the subject, and the involuntary response .

To  respond to the  stimuli of fear. The amygdala stimulates the hypothalamus.The latter activate the cardiovascular and breathing centre .Hence,adrenaline is released into the blood stream.The  increases involuntary response to anxiety,which gives a fast response..The cerebral cortex response takes time to relay response.

Amygdala,  stores memories of all emotions, fear, and anxiety. In patients with  this disorder, the Amygdala is sensitive and had been adapted to the memory   of fear and anxiety stored.Therefore, every slight normal event which should give any danger  is over reacted to  by the amygdala with  fear or flight response, This triggers the two brain circuits  to give anxiety-provoking events.

Intake of medication, Behavioural therapy are the mode of treatments.