Medical Xpress March 19, 2025
When there’s a disaster, it’s helpful to know what’s going on—and know whether you’re truly at risk. But as essential as emergency alert systems are, they can leave many of us feeling anxious—even when the alert may be a false alarm or test.
This is because emergency alerts, whether real or tests, can activate the same neural circuits involved in real danger. This can trigger stress, confusion and anxiety.
Our nervous systems are constantly processing information from both our bodies and our environment, trying to distinguish between warnings that demand action and those that can be safely ignored.
But over time, the stress associated with being on constant alert can have lasting effects on mental health. Chronic stress can contribute...
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