Jisara Wuttikreekiat Tag(s): Expository Fear is a universal response that plays a critical role in human survival for millennia. Whether it’s a primal reaction to predators or the anxiety caused by modern-day stressors, fear triggers a cascade of physical and psychological reactions that prepare the body to confront or escape danger. But what exactly happens when we experience fear, and how do our bodies and minds react? Psychologically, the four fear responses are fight, flight, freeze, and fawn. The experience of fear begins in the amygdala, a part of the brain, that when activated by possible danger, elicits a fear response. The moment we experience fear, our brain re-routes our energy to the amygdala, slowing down processing in other areas. This can make it difficult to speak or make rational decisions when we are afraid. When we experience the fight response, our brain is trying to ward off danger by defeating it. If the danger is real and can be overcome with physical strength, this can be an effective tool to keep us safe. If our brain does not feel that it can successfully fight off danger, it may decide to try to escape, triggering a flight response. Another fear response is to freeze or to try to remain very still and quiet until the danger passes. “Fawning” is a fear response where the brain decides to try to please whoever is triggering the fear to prevent them from causing harm. Other than our reaction to fear, some behavioural symptoms caused by fear include increased heart rate, rapid breathing, sweating, trembling, and dilated pupils. This is because when we face fear, the heart pumps faster to circulate more oxygen-rich blood to the muscles and brain. This prepares the body for quick action, whether it’s fighting the threat or fleeing from it. In the same manner, breathing accelerates to deliver more oxygen to the bloodstream. This oxygen is critical for muscles to perform at peak efficiency during potential physical exertion. However, a common misconception is that feeling anxious means that a person has a mental health condition. Many people occasionally feel anxious from time to time. But when anxiety becomes frequent, out of proportion to a situation, or persists after the situation is over, it can be a sign of an anxiety disorder. When an individual has severe anxiety, they may experience a panic attack, which causes an intense feeling of dread or panic that reaches a peak before subsiding, differentiating it from the common feelings of being anxious. In conclusion, fear has been an essential part of human survival for millennia, shaping our psychological and physiological responses to threats, whether real or perceived. Although fear is a form of human nature, it can sometimes become overwhelming, leading to conditions like anxiety disorder. As Halloween approaches and we embrace the thrill of fear for entertainment, it’s important to recognize the value of fear while also understanding its impact on our minds and bodies.
