Anxiety, Fear and Phobias
I have a mind that likes to break things down into simple steps or build one thing on top of another like climbing up stairs. When it comes to fears and phobias, let’s start with the first step, that of anxiety.
Anxiety
Anxiety can be defined as a state of uneasiness and apprehension, like being apprehensive of future uncertainties. Will it rain on my wedding day? Have I studied enough or the right material for my exam tomorrow? Will my suggestions be received favourably at the meeting next week?
Irrational Fear?
Fear
A step up from that is fear. Fear is an unpleasant emotion caused by the belief that someone or something is dangerous, or likely to cause pain, or is a threat. Many people have felt fear in many different situations, from events like natural disasters, or medical procedures or even feeling threatened by pursuit from the tax office.
Phobias
And then, there are phobias. Phobias are a persistent and extreme or irrational fear of, or aversion to a situation or a thing. If I had a phobia I would be compelled to avoid it, even though others might reassure me or I’m aware that it is not dangerous.
Panic
Panic occurs when someone becomes fearful of their fear reoccurring. This ‘fear of the fear’ happening again produces similar reactions to those experienced when faced with a real or imagined fear, and fear of fear recurring is quite common to fear and phobias.
It’s important to remember that whatever passes through one’s mind, is received as real, even if it is only in the imagination. Imagine the best possible state of mind, the most positive of emotions, and normal, healthy behaviours and it helps to dispel fears and allows the production of positive emotions.
Irrational Fear?
