Fear is defined in the dictionary as: "a distressing emotion aroused by impending danger, evil, pain, etc., whether the threat is real or imagined; the feelingor condition of being afraid."
In day to day life, fear can occur in a student who has an upcoming exam, a person walking down a dark alley who hears footsteps or in the workplace in tough economic times. In terms of health, a woman diagnosed with breast cancer, an athlete who has an injury or an elderly person facing joint surgery and possible mobility limitations have in common the likelihood that they will experience fear at some point. Fear has also been used successfully at times to scare individuals into changing their lifestyles to avoid health risks. Smoking cessation proponents and those treating obesity often employ fear with mixed results.
Chronic fear states are stressful for the body and can cause the same wear and tear on the body as does chronic stress. Fear is a primitive, protective response of the reptilian part of our brain which is meant to warn us from danger. Modern situations where fear is generated do not always fit this picture. Individuals with Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) may easily startle with small sounds or uncomfortable situations. Their fear alert system is always on red alert. Fear in response to upcoming medical procedures or a recent life-threatening diagnosis can make it difficult for us to think clearly in a time of extreme stress.
What I've noticed in my own life and in working with my patients is that fear comes from a perception of imminent danger or risk - whether or not the risk or danger is real. For example, if you've had one experience of loss of a loved one in your life, you may experience fear more than joy in getting close to a boyfriend or wife even though your wife/boyfriend are not leaving you.
Fear has one detriment that, in my mind, is worse than all others - it robs you of precious time with your family, friends and yourself. Fear takes you out of the present moment. Fear thrusts you into the future of what if's and why's...a place where the "maze has no cheese." How do you conquer fear. With faith. It doesn't have to mean faith in God or a Hiigher Power. It may just mean faith in the future, faith that the universe is working on your behalf or faith that this too shall pass. When you surrender to fear and embrace faith, you allow yourself to feel everything that is happening to your right now while knowing that it doesn't have to be the stopping place for you. Fear cannot prevent what you worry about from happening. It can only rob you of the time you would have had before it does happen. So I have chosen faith over fear simply because it feels better and in the end, allows me to be present with all those I love.
Acts of faith can include being in nature, talking to a trusted friend, taking a nap, having a cup of tea or reading inspirational quotes like the ones below:
Fear is the main source of superstition, and one of the main sources of cruelty. To conquer fear is the beginning of wisdom.
BERTRAND RUSSELL, An Outline of Intellectual Rubbish
If we let things terrify us, life will not be worth living.
SENECA, Epistles
The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear.
NELSON MANDELA, Autobiography
