What is fear and why do people have fear

The National Health Watch

Why do we fear?
OUR human mind is exposed towards fear with or without our consent.
The basic human mind is simple and needs to be regularly ‘tuned’ and learn to be within our society norms.
We must strive to skill ourselves in overcoming unwanted negative feelings and fear.
Today our topic encourages us to overcome our fear.
We all feel insecure at some point in our life but to skill ourselves to stand tall against this invisible enemy is a skill that needs to be learnt, with hope.
What is fear?
It is common to define ‘fear’ as a natural response that causes specific behaviour patterns telling us how to cope in hostile or unexpected situations that threaten our wellbeing or survival – like a fire or a physical attack.
Fear is a familiar emotion because it’s something everyone experiences.
While we think of it as an essential part of being human, it’s also a psychological, physiological and behavioural state we share with animals.
We can also feel fear when faced with less dangerous situations, like exams, public speaking, a new job, a date, or even a party – anything we might feel could be very difficult or challenging in some way.
What’s the difference between fear and anxiety?
Fear and anxiety are often used to describe similar things but fear has a specific, immediate context which provokes classic ‘fight or flight’ reflexes.
This automatic response occurs faster than mindful thought and releases surges of adrenaline which disappear quickly once the threat has passed.
Anxiety, on the other hand, involves a lasting uneasiness, a chronic sense of worry, tension or dread.
The things that make us anxious are usually more unclear than the things that evoke fear in us.
It’s usually associated with the thought of a threat or something going wrong in the future, rather than something happening right now too.
How does fear affect us?
When you feel frightened, your mind prepares you to respond to the emergency or threat.
It increases the blood flow to your muscles, increases your blood sugar and focuses your mind on the thing that’s scaring you.
This has a number of effects:

  • Your heartbeat gets very fast – maybe it feels irregular;
  • your breathing gets very fast;
  • your muscles feel weak;
  • you sweat more;
  • your stomach is churning or your bowels feel loose;
  • you find it hard to concentrate on anything else;
  • you feel dizzy;
  • you feel frozen to the spot;
  • you can’t eat;
  • you get hot and cold sweats;
  • you get dry mouth; and,
  • Your muscles tense up.

Fear can last for a short time and then pass but it can also last much longer and stay with us.
In some cases it can take over our lives, affecting appetite, sleep and concentration for long periods of time.
Fear stops us travelling, going to work or school, or even leaving the house.
It prevents us from doing simple things and impacts on our health too.
l Next issue: How can I overcome my fear?
Dr Uma Ambi
Principal Advisor Mental Health Services
C/o P.O Box 8, Boroko