The difference between anxiety and fear

Anxiety and fear are common problems that affect a person's life, so what is the difference between them? Come with us in this article to learn the difference between anxiety and fear

The difference between anxiety and fear: definition

A distinction can be made between anxiety and fear in terms of definition as follow:

1.    Worry

 

2.    Anxiety disorder is classified as a mental health problem, characterized by fear and dread of many everyday situations with an inability to control reactions.

3.    Anxiety disorder goes beyond the normal stress and anxiety we feel about a specific event, such as: having a problem, going for a test, etc.

 

 

There are several types of it, including:

1.    Phobias:

Phobias are divided into a group of activities or places that can cause severe fear in people, such as seeing a snake or agoraphobia.

 

2.    Social Anxiety:

It recurs in social situations when the patient feels very anxious about how people look and judge him.

 

3.    Panic disorder:

attacks of intense fear and terror, which lead to the patient shivering and difficulty breathing, peaking after 10 minutes and lasting for hours, occurring after prolonged stress or for no reason.

 

4.    Post-traumatic stress disorder:

recurring fear arising from previous trauma, such as an accident or war.

 

5.    Generalized Anxiety Disorder:

Excessive and persistent worrying and fearing about situations and events that are not specific to life are the most common type, and the patient is unable to identify the cause of the anxiety.

 

6.    Obsessive-compulsive disorder:

Repetition of irrational actions that lead to specific and repetitive behaviors.

 

7.    Separation anxiety disorder:

Anxiety and fear of leaving home or loved ones.

 

8.    the fear:

It is one of the basic human emotions, and it has benefits that help a person respond when feeling threatened or insecure.

Fear is a normal emotion unless it goes beyond the norm. The fear can also be mild, moderate, severe, brief, or persistent, depending on the situation.

 

The difference between anxiety and fear: symptoms

Symptoms may be similar between anxiety and fear, but they are more severe in anxiety, including:

·       Anxiety symptoms

·       Symptoms of anxiety are:

·       Stress.

·       Feeling of panic and danger.

·       Sweating and shivering.

·       feeling weak or tired

·       difficulty sleeping

·       Increased breathing rate.

·       increased heart rate;

·       Symptoms of fear

 

Symptoms of fear are:

·       Sweating and redness.

·       Dry mouth.

·       Changes in the digestive system.

·       shortness of breath

·       Muscle trembling.

·       increased heart rate;

 

The difference between anxiety and fear: the reasons

 

as follows:

·       Causes of concern

·       The causes of anxiety are varied, including:

 

·       Environmental factors, such as work pressures, family problems, and relationship problems.

 

·       Medical factors, such as the use of certain medications, and symptoms of some diseases.

 

·       Heredity: the presence of a previous family history of anxiety in an individual increases the rates of infection.

 

·       Changes in brain chemistry: there is an imbalance in the hormones and electrical signals in the brain.

 

Causes of fear:

·       The causes of fear are varied, including:

·       Genetic factors: As the presence of some genetic genes that cause fear, it can be transmitted to other individuals.

·       Environmental factors, such as drowning, exposure to animal and insect bites, and being in very narrow or high places.

·       Medical conditions, such as brain injury, anddepression.

 

The difference between anxiety and fear: treatment

A distinction can be made between the treatment of fear and anxiety as follows:

·       anxiety treatment

·       In severe cases, the doctor may prescribe some medications for an anxious patient. Some behaviors help control symptoms, including:

·       Consult your doctor or pharmacist about taking medications and herbs; Some may increase symptoms of anxiety.

·       Limit caffeine or stop drinking foods and beverages that contain it, such as coffee, tea, soft drinks, and chocolate.

·       Practice a healthy lifestyle, exercise, and eat healthy food.

 

Fear treatment

As we mentioned earlier, fear is a natural feeling, so the doctor does not resort to medications except in severe cases in which fear affects social life, but some practices help to get rid of fear, including:

·       Cognitive behavioral therapy focuses on identifying negative thoughts, beliefs, and reactions.

 

·       Do relaxation exercises, such as specific ways to breathe.

 

·       Facing fears gradually, by making a list of fears and ordering them from lowest to highest, as the therapist gradually resolves the fears and feels better.