These limbic structures are regulated by higher-order brain areas, like the prefrontal cortex. And so, if you have an appraisal, a thought, a belief--whatever you want to call it,--that says "wait a minute! I can do something about this" or "This really isn't so bad!" or whatever, then these inhibiting structures in the cortex are activated. They send a message "cool it down there! don't get so activated. There's something we can do!"