Fear vs Phobia
Human beings display a vast number of
emotions. Happiness, sadness, excitement, fear are some of the many such
emotions conveyed by human beings at different times according to
different situations. Human beings are also subjected to many
psychological conditions and phobias are one amongst many such
psychological conditions diagnosed by psychologists around the globe.
However, due to the similarities displayed between the two it is often
seen that these two words are sometimes used interchangeably. Therefore,
in order to use these two words in the appropriate contexts, one must
know the differences between them first.
What is Fear?
Induced by threat, fear is an emotion
experienced by living beings that affects the brain functions and which
in turn causes a change in behaviour. Fear occurs in response to certain
stimulus occurring in the present or in the future, perceived as a risk
to life, health, security, power or anything valuable. Fear induces
various reactions in human beings such as running away, freezing, hiding
etc. They arise from the perception of danger leading to either
avoiding the threat known as flight response or confrontation of the
cause of fear. In extreme cases, this can lead to paralysis or freeze
response, as well. Fear is a natural emotion driven by the process of
learning and cognition. Fear can be judged as rational and appropriate
as well as irrational and inappropriate.
What is Phobia?
A phobia can be categorized as a type of
anxiety disorder where the sufferer shows a persistent and irrational
fear of an object or a situation, going to great lengths to avoid it,
typically disproportionate to the actual danger posed by it. If the
situation cannot be avoided entirely, it has been noted that he or she
will endure the situation with great distress that significantly
interferes with occupational or social activities. The term phobia is
usually discussed in terms of social phobias, specific phobias and
Agoraphobia. Social phobias include discomfort in crowded areas or
persistent fear of public speaking whereas specific phobias include
arachnophobia which is the fear of spiders or acrophobia, fear of
heights. Agoraphobia is the fear of leaving a familiar area such as home
and the panic attacks that may be triggered by this act. However,
phobias such as xenophobia transcend and overlap many such categories.
What is the difference between Phobia and Fear?
Fear and phobia are two interrelated words that often go hand in hand. However, the differences between these two words prevent them from being used as synonyms for one another.• Fear is a normal human emotion triggered by threatening conditions. A phobia is an anxiety disorder.
• A phobia is an irrational fear where the reaction of the sufferer in avoiding the said cause is grossly disproportionate to the actual threat posed by the object or the situation. Fear is a rationalized and justified emotion that comes in response to a threatening situation.
• The reaction caused by fear can be managed. The reactions triggered by phobias are usually extreme and cannot be controlled.
• A phobia can be treated medically. Fear cannot be and should not be treated medically.
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