Stress and emotions

The information about stressors goes to  ”emotional memory bank” and compared there with  existing experiences (genetically inborn scenarios and personal experience).

If the stressor is recognized, the “emotional memory bank” will direct the energy of stress into a more specific “scenario” of emotion (for instance% anger to overcome or eliminate an obstacle, fear to escape something dangerous etc). This goes on automatically without our decision. So, next thing we know is that we are already gripped by the emotion (anger, fear, happiness etc).

If the stressor is not recognized, or uncertain, or an automatic response is not initiated then this lack of information (question) will engage the thinking process in order to decide how to deal with the situation. 

Such a “specialized” stress reaction is perceived and understood as emotion (change of body sensations), displaying relation (satisfaction/frustration) and automatic intention (to overcome, avoid, take pleasure etc.) to which we attribute the value (accordingly: anger, fear, pleasure etc.).

As you know already those thoughts and emotions can be automatic (are associatively recalled from «memory bank») and/or active (are formed «here and now» as a result of comprehension of the situation).

Understanding of thoughts and emotions allows to change and develop them, to reflect reality more precisely, to concern it more adequately and, as consequence, to act more effectively.