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Learn the meaning, synonyms, examples, and history of the word fear, an unpleasant emotion caused by anticipation or awareness of danger. Find out how to use fear as a noun or a verb, and explore related phrases and articles.
Phobia. Reviewed by Psychology Today Staff. If people didn’t feel fear, they wouldn’t be able to protect themselves from legitimate threats. Fear is a vital response to physical and emotional...
- Did humans evolve to feel specific fears?Throughout human history, certain animals, such as snakes and spiders, have caused high numbers of deaths. Thus, some researchers believe, men and...
- How do children learn fear?Research shows that babies do not appear to show signs of fear until around 8 to 12 months of age, usually in response to new people or events, but...
- Why do people sometimes seek out scary experiences?There are times when people actively pursue experiences that could scare them, like a roller coaster or a haunted house attraction . Some research...
- What everyday fears can hold us back?Some feelings commonly described as “fears” are not strictly phobias, but mental obstacles that limit people’s actions and decisions, often prevent...
- What is agoraphobia?Agoraphobia is the fear of situations that would be difficult to escape from or from which it would be difficult to get help, such as being in a m...
- Why do many people have a fear of heights?Fear of heights is a common phobia, and one that is often experienced intensely. In fact, the symptoms often mirror those of a panic attack, inclu...
- Why do so many people fear public speaking?It’s often stated that the fear of public speaking is the most common phobia. It isn’t; only about one in four people report experiencing it. But...
- How can someone overcome the fear of public speaking?Preparation, practice, support from others, and learning to put oneself in a calmer, more relaxed state can all help ease the fear of public speak...
- Why do people fear clowns?Clown-like characters have been a part of popular culture for centuries. Yet some people have always found them creepy, and about 2 percent of the...
Fear is an intensely unpleasant primal emotion in response to perceiving or recognizing a danger or threat. Fear causes psychological changes that may produce behavioral reactions such as mounting an aggressive response or fleeing the threat.
- Symptoms of Fear
- Diagnosing Fear
- Causes of Fear
- Types of Fear
- Treatment For Fear
- Coping with Fear
- The Takeaway
Fear often involves both physical and emotional symptoms. Each person experiences fear differently, but some of the common signs and symptoms include: 1. Chest pain 2. Chills 3. Dry mouth 4. Nausea 5. Rapid heartbeat 6. Shortness of breath 7. Sweating 8. Trembling 9. Upset stomach In addition to the physical symptoms of fear, people sometimes exper...
Talk to your healthcare provider if you are experiencing persistent, excessive feelings of fear. Your doctor may conduct a physical exam and perform lab tests to ensure that your fear and anxiety are not linked to an underlying medical condition. Your healthcare provider will also ask questions about your symptoms including their duration, intensit...
Fear is incredibly complex, with no single, primary cause.Some fears result from experiences or trauma, whereas others may represent a fear of something else entirely, such as a loss of control. Still, other fears may occur because they cause physical symptoms, such as being afraid of heights because they make you feel dizzy and sick to your stomac...
Some of the anxiety disorders that are characterized by fear include: 1. Agoraphobia 2. Generalized anxiety disorder 3. Panic disorder 4. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) 5. Separation anxiety disorder 6. Social anxiety disorder 7. Specific phobia
Repeated exposure to similar situations leads to familiarity, which can reduce the fear response dramatically This approach forms the basis of some phobia treatmentsthat depend on slowly minimizing the fear response by making it feel familiar. Phobia treatments that are based on the psychology of fear focus on techniques such as systematic desensit...
Coping strategies focus on managing fear's physical, emotional, and behavioral effects. Here are a few to consider. 1. Get social support.Supportive people in your life can help you manage your feelings of fear. 2. Practice mindfulness.You cannot always prevent emotions. Being mindful can help you replace negative thoughts with more helpful ones. 3...
Fear is an important human emotion that can help protect you and prepare you for action, but it also can lead to longer-lasting feelings of anxiety. Finding ways to control your fear can help prevent anxiety from taking hold.
- Fear is healthy. Fear is hardwired in your brain, and for good reason: Neuroscientists have identified distinct networks that run from the depths of the limbic system all the way to the prefrontal cortex and back.
- Fear comes in many shades. Fear is an inherently unpleasant experience that can range from mild to paralyzing—from anticipating the results of a medical checkup to hearing news of a deadly terrorist attack.
- Fear is not as automatic as you think. Fear is part instinct, part learned, part taught. Some fears are instinctive: Pain, for example, causes fear because of its implications for survival.
- You don’t need to be in danger to be scared. Fear is also partly imagined, and so it can arise in the absence of something scary. In fact, because our brains are so efficient, we begin to fear a range of stimuli that are not scary (conditioned fear) or not even present (anticipatory anxiety).
People also ask
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Jul 20, 2023 · Learn how fear is a natural and primitive emotion that triggers the body’s ‘fight-or-flight’ response to perceived threats. Explore the different types and disorders of fear, and how to manage and overcome them.
Oct 25, 2022 · Fear is a natural and normal human emotion that can be healthy or unhealthy depending on the situation and intensity. Learn how fear affects your body and mind, how to distinguish it from anxiety, and how to overcome your fears with expert advice.
