Everyone gets scared sometimes – but fear can also be experienced in different ways. Read for yourself.
Most of the time, fear feels terribly unpleasant, but sometimes fear is also a great tingling sensation. For example, on a roller coaster or before a performance. Maybe you’ve wondered why fear can sometimes be really pleasurable.
Fear as a warning
In general, fear is an important emotion because it warns us of bad and dangerous situations. For example, fear prevents us from driving down a slope in winter without braking.
Fear as a kick
Fear can often also be a pleasant tingling sensation and can thus give us a little kick. For example, when we get on an elevated ride in an amusement park. This is because height and speed is something that scares many of us. So the fear is there. But we still expose ourselves to this danger because we know, for example, that the elevated ride has to be checked every day and that nothing can actually happen. Fear then causes this tingling sensation.
Fear as a disease
However, fear can also become a disease, namely when fear prevents you from doing things that you would like to do or should do. There are also different types of illness where fear plays a role. Fear is sometimes limited to certain situations or things, but sometimes it occurs completely un-specifically. Perhaps you have heard the terms phobia or panic attack. These are “anxiety diseases”. If you are affected, it is very important to get help.
When fear becomes a problem
Fear of the unknown
New and unknown situations or even things often trigger fear because we do not know what we are getting into. And this uncertainty makes us afraid. When you go to your school, for example, you can roughly estimate what it will be like there. Who you will meet, what it will look like, how you will get there, how the teachers will react to you … But if you change to another school, you suddenly lack this information and that can cause anxiety.
TIP:
Tips on how to deal with your fears
- Especially when you are afraid of a new situation, for example, it is always good to think about what would be the worst thing that could happen in that situation. Then think about what you could do in that case. This way you are prepared for the worst and the reality is usually less bad than you imagined anyway. In addition, in the event of an emergency, you will be able to think more quickly about how you can and want to behave.
- Always think about what exactly you are afraid of. Then think about whether your fear is realistic. You may realize that some situations that scare you are easier to get through than you thought.
- It is important, but very difficult, that you do not avoid situations that scare you. The more often you avoid them, the more persistent your fear becomes. But if you face up to the situation, you may realize that you are better able to cope with the situation than you thought.
- Well, as is often the case, it is always good to talk about your fears. Everyone has fears and there is nothing to be ashamed of.
For further help and support — Speak with a licensed therapist today.