Let’s admit it. We all have felt fear at one time or another... of spiders, of falling down, of exams and even of failure... But sometimes this normal response may get out of control... can you relate?
I remember seeking the thrill of feeling frightened when I was a child... I loved watching scary movies and hearing spooky stories until I felt goose bumps on my skin!
Experiences like this can be fun when we are fully aware of our situation within a certain “reality” because we know we are in control.
But sometimes things can deviate from the norm...
Fear is a natural emotion that helps us identify a threat or dangerous situation and enables us to respond accordingly.
It is a "protection" mechanism against physical or emotional pain and suffering. This is a "healthy" response, and if it didn’t exist we probably wouldn’t live long.
Sometimes however, unhealthy or pathological patterns can develop as a result of mistaken beliefs and past experiences. This is where fear is different from anxiety, which typically takes place without any external threat.
Moreover, while fear is connected to specific escape and avoidance behaviors, anxiety comes as a result of threats that are perceived to be out of control and/or unavoidable.
If you have felt your body trembling, your palms sweating, and your heartbeats going faster than a ticking bomb for no apparent reason, keep on reading as you’ll find this information enlightening.
I’m not trying to negate the reality of these symptoms. What I’m trying to convey is the fact that the events that caused them may not necessarily exist -at least to the proportions we experience them-, because oftentimes, we are afraid of things that are mere creations of our ingenious imagination.
One such example is fear or public speaking, which according to several research studies it ranks as high on the list as fear of death... talk about imagination going wild!
According to Sigmund Freud, fears and anxiety are basic emotions that develop early in life and influence our life from our earliest childhood. This influence shapes our life, as we grow older.
In other words, this is a leaned behavior and we tend to keep those patterns for many years, unless we decide to modify them.This only suggests that it can take time and determination to conquer fears. We must have a willing heart and a focused mind.
Let’s now review the different types of fears. The spectrum is quite wide.
Some people feel apprehension caused by imagined objects, while others get frightened of real things and activities; and yet others have particular dreads, also called phobias.
And then, there are some that just suddenly lose control of their actions and reasons.
Taken to the extreme, startling out-of-the-blue attacks of intense terror are known as panic disorders. These usually crop up when we face danger, but sometimes, they occur without obvious reason.
If you’ve had events like these, you know how intense and debilitating such an experience can be.
Even though this is a learned response, there is good news. They can be unlearned. With the guidance of a professional you can be taught to identify what experiences cause apprehension or extreme alarm as well as the triggers which could be very real or in your imagination.
There are also support groups where people gather to talk about their anxieties, worries and concerns. Feeling you are not alone in this, may help you on your path to healing.
Yet the best and the most effective therapy comes from within you. No treatment and no person other than yourself can cure your fears completely.
You must be willing to get rid of them and take action, or these sensations will continue to linger. If anxiety never leaves your side, it will continue upsetting and limiting your life, and sometimes even the quietness of your sleep.
How can you help yourself then?
The following advice has worked for many people who’ve succeeded at eradicating their fears. Give them a try, you can do this too!
If this condition persists, you may want to seek the support of a professional, but even being under treatment will not guarantee you conquer fear entirely. Remember that your complete "healing" depends on you.
It’s your choice whether you want to be cured or not. You must empower yourself by knowing you can do this. In making the decision to defeat your fears, you have to prepare your heart and mind, for their full participation is most needed.
Which reminds me of... belief. Believe you can conquer it and you will. Desire this from your heart and do what you need to so you can free yourself from this impeding condition that hinders you in so many ways.
Freedom from your fears lies in your hands and in your hands alone. You can move From Fear to Love.
