Fear is an emotional response to a perceived threat, preparing the body for fight or flight. While fear is an adaptive, protective response, excessive or irrational fear can lead to anxiety disorders and phobias.
Key Points:
- Physiological Response: Increase in heart rate, rapid breathing, release of stress hormones (e.g., adrenaline and cortisol).
- Evolutionary Purpose: Alerts the body to danger and primes it for self-preservation.
- Pathological Fear: When fear persists without a real threat or is disproportionate to the situation, it can become debilitating (e.g., panic disorder).
- Management & Treatment: Therapy (especially exposure-based therapies for phobias), relaxation techniques, and, in some cases, medication for anxiety.
