# Amygdala
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The **amygdala**, sometimes called the **amygdaloid body** is a small structure in the [[cerebrum]] that plays a very important role in the [[limbic system]], particularly involving the emotional responses and recognition of *fear* or *anger*. If you can look at someone and know they're angry just by their facial expression, you can thank your amygdala.
![[limbic system.png]]
An overactive amygdala can lead to someone seeing threats and danger everywhere they go. This leads to increased feelings of distress, and is associated with people who [[non suicidal self injury|self injure]] This is seen to develop even in childhood, and is seen in children who lack an [[attachment theory|attachment figure]].
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