Fear is an instinctive feeling that contributed to the evolution of human beings. There are positive and negative points about it, its effects cannot be underestimated.
Fear is a basic human instinct, which works to protect the race from potential threats, once we feel it when faced with a dangerous situation. There are many people who associate this instinct with cowardice. Despite this, this association is not necessarily correct, as there are positive points in fear.
Above all, fear, like any instinct, needs to be understood consciously. Even more important, it needs to be mastered and used correctly.
If we are still alive, we owe it to the feeling of fear. In a way, the irrational reaction is a phenomenon that teaches us to be cautious. But, if exaggerated, it can cause certain psychological illnesses, which are very difficult to reverse.
Unconscious triggering sometimes results in trauma that we carry for the rest of our lives. Or, even if it’s not a reaction to something, our imagination is capable of creating several hideous fantasies. It is difficult to overcome them, but it is not impossible!
What is fear?
In principle, fear is a natural instinct of living beings. The brain stimuli that arise from the sensation cause the body’s muscles to contract. This is because the accumulation of stress generates substances that directly affect the heartbeat.
This feeling arises due to several factors, as long as, in some way, the brain interprets that something is threatening. There are people who are afraid of a simple insect, as much as they would perhaps be if they were the target of an armed robbery.
The above cases are extremely opposite, but even so, fear is present in both situations. Therefore, the organism’s response comes immediately when we feel fear and, thanks to this reaction, we guarantee the evolution of human beings to this day.
Fear levels
Fear in an extreme state, that is, well beyond the rational, transforms into a greater state, pathological fear. It is from this disorder that anxiety develops. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Brazil has a rate of 9.3% of Brazilians suffering from the disease.
Therefore, knowing how to manage this feeling is important for people’s quality of life. Imagine being afraid of everything, of going out and socializing, of the violence in the city, of speaking in public, or of simply thinking about death. There are many possibilities for developing the feeling.
Another way fear manifests is when, instead of reacting, we become paralyzed in the face of a situation. In contrast to the survival instinct, this can put the lives of those under threat at risk. But, everything is related to each individual and their training process.
Fear
Firstly, fear is something more natural, normal for human beings. Phobia is the evolution of fear into a more pathological diagnosis. We have hundreds of types of phobia, however, we have separated the most well-known ones to better visualize the concept of fear.
Claustrophobia
At first, claustrophobia is the fear of being trapped in closed spaces. Anyone who has this type of aversion can easily suffer from panic attacks. The sensation may arise when being in crowds, in an elevator, or in a very closed room. It all depends on the individual who feels it.
Arachnophobia
Arachnophobia is basically the fear of spiders. The person cannot bear the idea of being in the presence of one of these animals. The fear is extreme to the point of limiting the arachnophobe’s life. Normally, those who have the problem always avoid places where an arachnid could appear.
Altophobia
You have probably already met someone with this pathology. Altophobia consists, above all, of the fear of heights. A person like that would never jump, for example, with a parachute. Or more, perhaps she would never come close to the railing of a building balcony.
Darkness
The name is strange, but caligynephobia is the fear developed in men when they are around a beautiful woman. It may be funny, however, anyone who feels this type of threat experiences extreme discomfort, which can lead to serious panic attacks.
Coulrofobia
If you feel very uncomfortable and easily panic when you see a clown, this means you are diagnosed with coulrophobia. Many children develop this disease in childhood. The fear is so great that it affects the rest of your life, including adulthood.
How to treat fear?
These are just some of the many phobias that develop from fear. But, before making any decision, try to understand what the symptoms are. Everyone who goes through a desperate situation shows the following signs:
- Shortness of breathe
- Tachycardia
- Tremors
- Sweating
- Cold and heat waves
- Insecurity
- Irritability
Did you notice these signs? Then stop, take 3 deep breaths, releasing the air very slowly. This will help normalize your heartbeat and you will see the situation more clearly. If you follow this simple step by step, the oxygen will flow normally again, and you will regain control of the situation.
When you calm down, do the exercise of remembering which thought or situation caused you to lose control. Identifying what causes the feeling is an essential step in mastering the feeling. In other words, being aware of what causes you to panic helps prevent a crisis.
When you identify the situations that trigger bad feelings in you, and are able to control your reaction to them, be sure to celebrate your achievement. It is important to always congratulate yourself on a victory, because the pleasurable feeling counteracts the feeling of failure, strengthening the patient’s capacity more and more.
Furthermore, seek help from a psychologist to better understand yourself. This will certainly help to overcome fears that we were not even aware of. The professional also guides you in a deep inner search, and this not only reveals bad things, but makes your qualities emerge.
Finally, for more curiosities like this, read 9 of the weirdest phobias anyone can have in the world
Sources: Vittude, Psicologia Viva 1, Psicologia Viva 2, Infoescola, Atlas da Saúde, Unimed, Brasil Escola
Image sources: Infoescola, Vida simples, Psicólogos Berrini, Oriente-me, Mega Curioso, Freak, Yam, Banda B, Giz Modo, Roberta Sanzi
