Anxiety And Fear – What Is The Difference Between The Two?

What Is The Difference Between Anxiety And Fear?

ANXIETY AND FEAR – In this article, we will learn more about the differences between anxiety and fear.

Anxiety And Fear - What Is The Difference Between The Two?
Image from: Perspectives Counseling

Both anxiety and fear often occur together. However, these two terms are not transposable.

Although there are times that the symptoms overlap, an individual’s experience with these emotions differ with context.

So what exactly is the difference between the two seemingly similar and synonymous emotions? Are they really that different?

Well, first of all, fear relates to something known or an understood threat. Anxiety, on the other hand, follows from an unknown, expected or poorly defined threat.

Anxiety And Fear - What Is The Difference Between The Two?
Image from: Bustle

Based on an article from VeryWellMinded, both fear and anxiety results in a stress response. But, the majority of experts believe that there are important distinctions between them.

These differences and distinctions can account for our reactions to various stressors that are surrounding us.

The sensations caused by anxiety is related to the possibility or chance that something bad might happen to us. It doesn’t come from a specific threat, rather, your mind’s interpretation of possible dangers.

This is also accompanied by the following physical symptoms:

  • Headaches
  • Muscle pain and tension
  • Sleep disturbances
  • Tightness felt throughout the body
  • Chest pain
  • Cold chills and hot flushes
  • Shortness of breath
  • Dizziness
  • Accelerated heart rate

However, fear is our emotional response to a known or defined threat. For example, being held at gunpoint or being mugged in the street.

Here, the danger is real and definite, and immediate. There is a clear and clearly present object of the fear.

Fear and anxiety are often associated with various mental health conditions. These emotions are most linked to anxiety disorders, specific phobias, agoraphobia, and others.

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