Excitement is a reaction of the body and the psyche to upcoming or even unexpected events, but can also be caused by a particularly pronounced mental excitability of the person concerned. In a positive sense, excitement serves to be able to focus on an important matter without distraction. In a negative sense, too high a level of excitement leads to uncontrolled thinking and acting and – if prolonged – can also have an unfavorable effect on the nerves, gastrointestinal tract, skin or cardiovascular system.
What is excitement?
Excitement is a reaction of the body and psyche to upcoming or even unexpected events. Excitement is a state of mind that can be triggered by external influences such as an accident or a performance (“stage fright”), but also by internal dispositions such as increased restlessness or a tendency to brood. The agitated state, which can develop gradually or suddenly out of emotional equilibrium, is characterized by psychological and physical events that occur via the increased release of the stress hormone adrenaline. Characteristics include inner and outwardly visible agitation, palpitations and palpitations, an increase in breathing rate, sweating, trembling, and increased muscular tension. An agitated person may not be able to accurately control his or her speech and actions. Typical examples include slurring one’s speech or acting clumsily when handling objects. It is usually difficult for the affected person to sit or stand still. Unconsciously, they try to give in to the primal reflex of running away with constant running around or flailing arm movements. Rapid eye movements are also often a good way to recognize a person’s agitation.
Function and task
Excitement – similar to fear – is normal in a dosed measure and helps people to concentrate on essentials and to avoid or eliminate dangers. These abilities are triggered by a whole bundle of physical and psychological reactions that are triggered by the increased release of adrenaline. Adrenaline puts the body on alert and focuses the mind on the tasks at hand. If the excitement does not exceed a healthy level, it means that the mind can be completely focused on the task at hand. As a consequence, a speech or an exam situation, for example, can be mastered without distraction and with full concentration. The additional energy for motorically important reactions is also made available, via the release of the stress hormone adrenaline, produced in the adrenal glands, into the bloodstream. The necessary oxygen is brought to the muscles via the increased heartbeat and increased respiratory activity. The bronchial tubes and pupils of a person under tension also dilate, putting body and mind into a state of maximum alertness, as is needed for special stress situations. The adrenaline also stimulates the cells of the liver to release more glucose and additionally boost performance by increasing blood glucose levels. The activity of the stomach and intestines, on the other hand, is kept to a minimum. This serves to provide all physical resources for important areas such as the brain and muscles. This is also visible in the pale skin, which is also deprived of blood that is not necessarily needed. Many people also have a cold sweat on their skin when they are excited. In the past, this served to be less tangible for enemies, but today the liquid has a cooling effect in view of the body’s system overheated by the acute state of tension.
Diseases and ailments
The state of excitement on specific occasions, for example in the run-up to an important exam, is normal and is generally very well tolerated by the body. Negative effects are not expected in a healthy person. It is different when the body and the psyche are confronted with this state of emergency over a longer period of time. In the physical sphere, the constantly high adrenaline level can have an unpleasant effect on a wide variety of organ systems. One serious consequence is hypertension. This is an increased blood pressure that can damage the vessels and the heart in the long term.In addition to constant restlessness, the patient may notice headaches, sweating, and an irregular heartbeat sequence that can manifest as stumbling or racing. These symptoms, and especially the angina pectoris felt as chest tightness, should be interpreted both as a warning signal for a prompt visit to the doctor and regarding an urgent change in lifestyle, which should include significantly less stress and excitement. Organs other than the heart and circulation can also be affected by too much or continuous excitement. In the digestive tract, permanent excitement can lead to psychosomatic symptoms such as gastritis or irritable bowel syndrome. It is also typical for agitated people to have to visit the toilet: In this way, the body wants to separate itself from all things that are unimportant at the moment in order to cope with the exceptional situation without restriction. Permanent stress can also have an effect on the skin in the form of nervous reactions such as itching. If the excitement manifests itself with the characteristic red spots on the face or décolleté, this can even aggravate the condition of the affected person. A broad field is the effect of frequent and violent excitement on the psychological state of the affected person. Continuous high tension not infrequently causes insomnia in the patient and in this way reduces the natural time of physical and mental regeneration. Over time, the result is a reduced ability to cope with stress in everyday professional and private life. This can lead to constant irritability, which can be reflected not only in the quality of social contacts, but also in sexual unwillingness. Anxiety disorders and depression may be at the end of the chain and thus be due to constant agitation.
