We repress them so we become unaware that they exist. For instance, say your child runs into the street in front of a car or you hear a burglar in your home or you get severe chest pains or you feel an earthquake. In cases like these, fear is valuable because it motivates you to act—to rescue or get medical help or run or defend yourself in some way. These are the fears that get in the way of our living our lives—fears that block us, that stand in the way of our meeting our important needs.
They can disrupt our lives. They are at the root of many of our problems. The fears we develop depend on our individual experiences. Some of them are relatively minor while others can overwhelm our lives. What we often do when one of these fears pops up is catastrophize it. We allow the fear to control our thoughts, our words and our actions.
We imagine all the horrible things that might happen if we were to act and as a result we let our fear immobilize us. Because the fear is often of the unknown—of change—we choose to be cautious and safe and stay with what we know.
We stop ourselves from taking on certain challenges, actions and relationships. Psychologist, Dr. The problem is when we choose continually to avoid or escape or adjust to situations that make us anxious rather than resolving them, our world shrinks. When we choose to avoid dealing with fearful situations instead of moving through them, we confine and restrict our lives. Inclusive of applicable taxes VAT. Paid quarterly Inclusive of applicable taxes VAT. Trending Latest Video Free.
Will a scramble to mine metals undermine the clean energy revolution? Once a certain thing or situation triggers a strong fear reaction, the amygdala warns the person by triggering a fear reaction every time he or she encounters or even thinks about that thing or situation.
Someone might develop a bee phobia after being stung during a particularly scary situation. For that person, looking at a photograph of a bee, seeing a bee from a distance, or even walking near flowers where there could be a bee can all trigger the phobia. Sometimes, though, there may be no single event that causes a particular phobia. Some people may be more sensitive to fears because of personality traits they are born with, certain genes they've inherited, or situations they've experienced.
People who have had strong childhood fears or anxiety may be more likely to have one or more phobias. Having a phobia isn't a sign of weakness or immaturity. It's a response the brain has learned in an attempt to protect the person. It's as if the brain's alert system triggers a false alarm, generating intense fear that is out of proportion to the situation. Because the fear signal is so intense, the person is convinced the danger is greater than it actually is.
People can learn to overcome phobias by gradually facing their fears. This is not easy at first. It takes willingness and bravery. Sometimes people need the help of a therapist to guide them through the process. Overcoming a phobia usually starts with making a long list of the person's fears in least-to-worst order. For example, with a dog phobia, the list might start with the things the person is least afraid of, such as looking at a photo of a dog.
It will then work all the way up to worst fears, such as standing next to someone who's petting a dog, petting a dog on a leash, and walking a dog. Gradually, and with support, the person tries each fear situation on the list — one at a time, starting with the least fear. The person isn't forced to do anything and works on each fear until he or she feels comfortable, taking as long as needed.
A therapist could also show someone with a dog phobia how to approach, pet, and walk a dog, and help the person to try it, too. The person may expect terrible things to happen when near a dog. Talking about this can help, too. When people find that what they fear doesn't actually turn out to be true, it can be a great relief. A therapist might also teach relaxation practices such as specific ways of breathing, muscle relaxation training, or soothing self-talk. These can help people feel comfortable and bold enough to face the fears on their list.
As somebody gets used to a feared object or situation, the brain adjusts how it responds and the phobia is overcome. Often, the hardest part of overcoming a phobia is getting started. Once a person decides to go for it — and gets the right coaching and support — it can be surprising how quickly fear can melt away.
Larger text size Large text size Regular text size. What Is Fear? How Fear Works When we sense danger, the brain reacts instantly, sending signals that activate the nervous system. Fears During Childhood Certain fears are normal during childhood.
What Causes Phobias?
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