Fear vs Anxiety
Fear
Just as the word “stress” is often misused so is the word “fear.” Fear is an instinctual response to potential danger. It is induced by a perceived threat which causes an urge to confront or flee, also known as the “fight-or-flight response.” Extreme cases of fear may result in a freeze or paralysis response. All animals and humans have an instinctual response to potential danger, which is essential to the survival of all species.
Most research studies concerning “fear” deal with phobias such as “fear of spiders” or “fear of heights.” The typical suggested therapy in these studies is to throw ones self into a situation, forcing one to face such fears. I personally believe this to be dangerous as it may further embed the fear.
I personally believe it safer to follow the suggestion listed in the section: Stress 101: Identifying the Source; allocating personal time and space to just relax and let the answers come naturally. In seeking answers to issues such as fear phobias, one might receive a gentle recollection of the phobias source and begin the healing process, rather than forcing a potentially dangerous emotional response to the trauma itself.
Fear should be distinguished from emotional anxiety as it is generally related to specific behaviors of escape and avoidance.
Anxiety
Unlike fear, anxiety typically occurs without any certain or immediate external threat. It is more often the result of threats which are perceived to be out of ones control or unavoidable.
Such threats might include economic collapse, natural or man-made disasters, nuclear disasters, EMP’S or CME’s, and terrorist attacks. These situations present very real threats. It is important to understand the long term effects of such anxieties.
Anxiety is a reaction to stressful situations. It has both physical and psychological repercussions. Studies suggest anxieties originate in a region of the brain called the amygdala. From there, they are transmitted to the sympathetic nervous system by neurotransmitters, which increases heart rates, causes muscle tension, and diverts blood flow from the abdominal organs to the brain. This puts the body on alert to the threat.
According to recent statistics, approximately 56 million people suffer from anxiety disorder, 2/3 being woman. Anxiety disorders are categorized as generalized anxiety disorder, phobias, social anxiety disorder, post tramatic stress disorder, obsessive/compulsive disorder, and panic disorder. The following are some of the most common symptoms.
Gastrointestinal Disorders
Chronic Respiratory Disorders
Heart Disease
Earlier in this article I wrote “anxiety is often the result of threats which are perceived to be out of ones control or unavoidable. Such threats might include economic collapse, natural or man-made disasters, nuclear disasters, EMP’S or CME’s, and terrorist attacks.”Anxiety may also occur when entering an uncomfortable situation with family, friends, or possibly and uncomfortable situation at work.
Disturbingly, some statistics and medical journal reports refer to “generalized anxiety disorder” as “unwarranted fear or distress that interferes with daily life”, with symptoms described as “exaggerated worry about health, safety, money, and other aspects of daily life that lasts six months or more, often accompanied by muscle pain, fatigue, headaches, nausea, breathlessness, and insomnia.” Others refer to it as “excessive worrying”, “neurotic fears, and a host of other descriptions.
Generalized anxiety disorder is a category most all of us can fit into. Given the state of our economy, the constant raising of taxes, the constant bombardment of alleged terror threats, our current political climate, wars and rumors of wars, and threat of nuclear fall out is it no wonder we are all stressed out? In addition, the disbursement of toxins in our food, air, and water is destroying our immune system making it difficult for our bodies to fight back.
The prescription drug therapies offered to those who have sought medical and/or psychological/psychiatric help are toxic as well. It is vitally important for those who are concerned about their health, to research any and all drugs prior to taking them.