Psych Basics

Fear
Paranoia

All About Fear

Fear is a vital response to physical and emotional danger—if we didn't feel it, we couldn't protect ourselves from legitimate threats. But often we fear situations that are far from life-or-death, and thus hang back for no good reason. Traumas or bad experiences can trigger a fear response within us that is hard to quell. Yet exposing ourselves to our personal demons is the best way to move past them.



Conquer It

Feeling Scared? Try Mother Nature's Fear Buster

Meditation can free you from fears. It's free and has no side effects.

How to Feel Less Frightened

This process includes several steps.

Overcoming Phobias: 6 Important Principles

Afraid of drowning, but learning how to swim.

Managing Our Stress

Part 1: Blood pressure increases as cash flow decreases.

Are You Addicted to Fear?

Learn how to let go.

Fear and Task Delay

A new type of treatment may help people overcome anxiety.

Fear of Flying

Treatment for flight anxiety has a high rate of success.

Anger Problems: A Smokescreen for Fear-Shame Phobia

Are you afraid of fear and shame?

Uncertainty, Emotion & Task Delay: I May Have Fear, but I Need Not be My Fear

Are you uncertain about what to do next?

Overcoming The Fear Of Death

A physician confronts his own mortality.

See Also

All About Fear

From Fearless to Frightened

Managing Increasing Anxiety in Your Growing Child

How I Learned Not to Take My Panic Attacks Personally

10 Things I Learned About Myself When I Wrote a Self-Help Book

Nothing to Fear but Fear Itself?

We're all afraid of the same few things.

Stealth Super-Powers

A fear-filled body can perform amazing feats.

Field Guide to the Conspiracy Theorist

Are FDR's words relevant today?

Fear of Failure

The latest research on fear of failure and procrastination.

Fear Versus Anxiety

When does incredulity become paranoia?

Hidden Emotions in Withdrawal and Silence

Why don't we complain about things that make us unhappy?

Fear vs. Anxiety

What's the real distinction between fear and anxiety?

Fear Insults Hope in the Political Arena

Fear fear. It's scary. It's the mind killer.

See Also

Find a Therapist
Find a nearby professional for face-to-face help

Fear Tests

Anxiety

Do stress and anxiety interfere with your life?

Does worrying affect your health?

Find out if your fretting is taking a toll.

Emotional IQ

Rate your emotional intelligence.

More Tests

Current Issue

Confessions of a Sociopath

She's successful and charming as well as ruthless and calculating.

Anxiety Blogs

  • Captain Tom Bunn, L.C.S.W.

    Conquer Fear Of Flying

    How to beat aeroanxiety and more
    By Captain Tom Bunn, L.C.S.W.
  • Amy Przeworski, Ph.D.

    Don't Worry, Mom

    Coping with anxiety in families
    By Amy Przeworski, Ph.D.

  • Fighting Fear

    Confronting phobias and other fears
    By Fredric Neuman, M.D.
  • Pamela Wiegartz, Ph.D.

    In the Age of Anxiety

    Panic, compulsions, phobias, and more
    By Pamela Wiegartz, Ph.D. and Kevin Gyoerkoe, Psy.D.
  • Barbara Markway, Ph.D.

    Shyness Is Nice

    Spreading the word about the value of quiet, sensitive people.
    By Barbara Markway, Ph.D., and Greg Markway, Ph.D.
  • Christopher Lane, Ph.D.

    Side Effects

    From quirky to serious, trends in psychology and psychiatry
    By Christopher Lane, Ph.D.
  • Rosemary Sword and Philip Zimbardo, Ph.D.

    The Time Cure

    New approaches to overcoming PTSD, depression, and anxiety
    By Rosemary K.M. Sword and Philip Zimbardo, Ph.D.
  • Fletcher Wortmann

    Triggered

    Exploring the psychological landscape of OCD
    By Fletcher Wortmann