The psychophysiology of anxiety

Psychophysiology is the study of physiological measures in the human for information about behavioral concomitants. Measures used include heart-rate, blood-pressure, palmar sweating (skin conductance), salivation, pupil size, electromyogram, respiration, electroencephalogram and averaged evoked response. States of anxiety are accompanied by physiological changes which can be regarded as high "arousal". Such measures are useful as monitors of emotional change, both during the induction and alleviation of anxiety. Finally, psychophysiology provides some insights into the complex nature of anxiety and its relationship to brain mechanisms.