Anxiety, fear, phobia, or dread of the unknown?
Fear is one of the five basic emotions that humans experience. It’s an intense sensation induced by encountering a perceived threat. Fear triggers an instant defensive response mobilizing the body to react with either fight, flight, or freeze This causes a number of physiological changes in the body, such as an accelerated heart rate and increased muscle tension. Fear is a natural immediate response to a present and specific danger. It’s an adaptive emotion which helps humans survive by prompting actions that protect us from danger.
Unlike fear, anxiety is a more enduring emotion, often stemming from less tangible sources. It’s characterized by feelings of unease and tension, often accompanied by physical symptoms like muscle tension, rapid breathing, or an increased heart rate. However, they are typically less intense than those experienced during fear. Anxiety is associated with the anticipation of imminent danger, disaster, or misfortune, and can be triggered merely by the thought of such a threat.
When anxiety is focused on a specific stimulus, it can manifest as a phobia. Specific phobia is a disorder characterized b a persistent, intense, and irrational fear of a particular object, activity, or situation. Encountering the object of a phobia induces intense discomfort, prompting the individual to avoid situations where they might come into contact with it, which significantly impedes daily functioning. For instance, an individual with social phobia might refrain from leaving the house to avoid interactions with others. Phobias may involve specific places, physical stimuli (such as choking), animals, or visual triggers like blood or injections.
What distinguishes a fear from a phobia?
- Fear dissipates once the threat is removed, but the symptoms of a phobia can persist even after the danger has been eliminated.
- Fear is a natural reaction to immediate danger, whereas a phobia is an irrational response to a specific object or situation. Phobia symptoms can arise merely from thoughts or perceptions of a specific trigger.
- Fear serves as a protective mechanism by helping us steer clear of dangerous situations and preventing harm. Phobias – in contrast – disrupt normal functioning and serve no productive purpose.
Another form of discomfort similar to fear or anxiety is the dread of the unknown – a frequent experience for many people. Dread of the unknown occurs when you encounter a new challenge or situation that you have not experienced before. This is accompanied by feelings of unease or reluctance. Frequently, these emotions subside when faced with a new stimulus and are replaced by euphoria from tackling a fresh challenge. However, there are times when the sense of dread prevents you from acting in a new situation.
“Daring Greatly” by Brené Brown
Brené Brown, a renowned academic and author, is celebrated for her studies on vulnerability, courage, empathy, and shame. Her research and reflections focus on issues related to vulnerability and courage, personal development, and fostering mental resilience. She also touches on various topics related to overcoming fears and confronting the unknown. Let’s take a closer look at some of them.
1. Understanding the role of vulnerability. Brené Brown highlights that embracing vulnerability means recognizing and accepting one’s fears and insecurities. This represents a key step toward cultivating courage and embracing experiences, whether they are negative or positive.
2. Courage over comfort. Brown’s research highlights that true courage isn’t the absence of fear, but rather the capacity to act despite it. The author implies that genuine bravery consists of confronting fears and venturing beyond the comfort zone. She argues that embracing discomfort and uncertainty fosters personal growth and improves resilience.
3. Shame and fear. Brené Brown shows how strongly shame is linked to fear. Feelings of shame frequently arise from the fear of inadequacy or being judged by others. Overcoming shame requires the courage to be vulnerable and to share your experiences with other people.
4. Concept of “daring greatly”. In her book “Daring Greatly”, Brené Brown encourages readers to “dare greatly” by taking risks and facing fears in pursuit of a more genuine and fulfilling life.
5. Power of human connections. Brené Brown emphasizes that fear can lead to isolation, causing feelings of abandonment and loneliness. Sharing concerns and experiences with others helps foster deeper relationships and strengthen bonds. Opening up to other people helps transform fear into courage, creating closer relationships and strengthening the sense of belonging to a community.
6. Exercise in courage. Brown emphasizes that courage can be cultivated with consistent practice. She urges people to take small steps to confront their fears.
Overcoming difficulties can boost self-awareness and lead to valuable insights on effective functioning. If you don’t have an anxiety disorder and your fears stem from everyday challenges, applying Brené Brown’s suggestions can enhance your openness to experiences, inspire action, and boost your sense of agency. However, there are specific situations when it’s best not to confront your fears alone.
Face your fears and take action’ or seek professional help?
When dealing with different types of fear-related discomfort, it’s easy to feel uncertain about your emotions. Often, it can be challenging to determine whether your feelings are simply a physiological response to a specific situation or if they indicate a disorder requiring specialist intervention. In psychology, the crux lies in determining if you’re enduring suffering and whether this condition markedly reduces your quality of life. You should seek psychological help when:
- you struggle with anxiety that interferes with your daily life, making it difficult to manage home, work, or social activities;
- you avoid anxiety-provoking situations to the point that it restricts your life’s opportunities;
- you experience severe unease when faced with or thinking about the source of your phobia;
- you feel fear that persists for six months or more, without subsiding;
- you frequently find yourself struggling with physical signs of anxiety, such as a racing heart or dizziness, or have panic attacks.
The shades of anxiety are many, and each can affect people in a different way. Certain fears can be paralyzing, while others can drive you to take action. Some fears can be managed alone or with support from loved ones, but there are also those that warrant professional help. Overcoming anxiety can boost your self-confidence and bring about feelings of euphoria and joy. That said, it’s important to remember that not every fear needs to be confronted head-on.
References:
- American Psychological Association, APA Dictionary of Psychology (2nd ed.), 2015.
- LeDoux J., Emotion circuits n the brain, Annual Review of Neuroscience, 23(1), 155-184, 2000.
- Etkin A., & Wager T. D., Functional neuroimaging of anxiety: A meta-analysis of emotional processing in PTSD, social anxiety disorder, and specific phobia, American Journal of Psychiatry, 164(10), 1476-1488, 2007.
- American Psychiatric Association, Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th ed.), 2013.
- LeBeau R. T. et al. Specific phobia: A review of DSM-IV specific phobia and preliminary recommendations for DSM-V, Depression and Anxiety, 27(2), 148-167, 2010.
- Brown B., Daring Greatly: How the Courage to Be Vulnerable Transforms the Way We Live, Love, Parent, and Lead, Gotham Books, 2012.
- Brown B., The Gifts of Imperfection: Let Go of Who You Think You're Supposed to Be and Embrace Who You Are, Hazelden Publishing, 2010.