fear is a emotional state that arises in response to awareness of a situation of possible danger.
The idea that something or something could threaten someone's safety or life makes the brain activates, involuntarily, a series of chemical compounds that provoke reactions that characterize the fear.
O increased heart rate, a breath acceleration and the Muscular contraction are some of the physical characteristics triggered by fear.
Fear is an extremely important warning sensation for the survival of the species, especially for humans.
Unconsciously, the physical characteristics reproduced by the feeling of fear prepare the body for two probable natural reactions: confrontation or flight.
Normally, for fear to arise, the presence of a stimulus that causes anxiety and insecurity in the individual is necessary. However, in certain situations, fear can be triggered only from the idea of something that is unpleasant.
In human beings fear can also be provoked by unfounded reasons or rational logic, when they are based on popular beliefs or legends. The fear of ghosts is an example.
They exist different types and levels of fear, which can range from mild anxiety or discomfort to total dread. The body's responses also present themselves in different ways according to the intensity of the fear.
When fear becomes pathological, that is, when it deeply affects an individual in the physical, psychological and social sphere, psychologists can diagnose the person as having a phobia.
People can develop phobias for many things, such as: fear of clowns (coulrophobia), fear of cats (elurophobia), fear of taking a shower (ablutophobia), fear of heights (acrophobia), fear of not having phobias (aphobias), fear of being touched (aphephobia), among many others.
Learn more about the meaning of phobia.
Synonyms of fear
- fright
- Horror
- Phobia
- Fear
- dread
- Fear
- Cowardice
See also the eight main types of human emotions.