What Is Autonomic Arousal

A disorder characterized by persistent or recurrent signs and symptoms mediated by the autonomic nervous system, excluding pain but including palpitation, hyperventilation, or nausea. It is not diagnosed if it is caused by a general medical condition. From: autonomic arousal disorder in A Dictionary of Psychology »

How is autonomic arousal measured?

A more direct way to assess physiological arousal is to measure biological signals. As one becomes aroused, the sympathetic nervous system activates. Many measureable biological signals change with sympathetic activation including electrodermal activity, blood pressure, heart rate, and pupil dilation.

What is autonomic anxiety?

Anxiety is often accompanied by somatic manifestations that suggest morbid changes in autonomic nervous system (ANS) activity, such as rapid heart rate (HR), shortness of breath and sweating.