Get to know yourself through your emotions

Fear is a basic emotion that appears in response to a noticed threat - something happening now or that may happen in the next moment. Its task is to protect the body and prepare us for action: flight, defence or staying cautious.

In the body there may appear muscle tension, faster breathing, a quicker heartbeat and readiness to act. Sometimes, when the threat is very strong and the body assesses that there is no possibility of flight or defence, a freeze reaction may appear - a momentary blocking of movement and action.

Fear is often confused with anxiety. It differs from it in that it is a reaction to a more real and present threat, e.g. the sight of an aggressive dog, an accident or a sudden noise. Anxiety more often concerns threats that are unclear, anticipated or imagined and may happen in the future. Both emotions serve a protective function, but they differ in their source and in the way they appear.

Fear usually decreases when the threat disappears. If the state of tension lasts a long time - for example because of a real, chronic threat or because thoughts constantly sustain a sense of threat - it can lead to overload of the body and difficulty regulating emotions. In some cases it may be linked to anxiety disorders, panic attacks, phobias or post-traumatic reactions.

Some people deliberately seek out situations that trigger strong fear and arousal, e.g. in extreme sports. For some the intensity of these sensations can be pleasant and become a way of seeking excitement or escaping everyday tension.

Fear is not a negative emotion - it helps us protect ourselves, notice boundaries and react when it is needed.

Similar:Fright, Dread, Anxiety, Alarm, Apprehension