Aarti Deegwal
Apprehension is an emotion of fear or anxiety about something, often the future. It is a state of mind implying a premonition of evil or danger, and is usually accompanied by a desire to flee or fight. The word apprehension comes from the Latin prehendere, meaning 'to seize'. While the word's meaning has evolved over time, it is often associated with negative feelings and physical stress signals, such as watching the clock or biting one's lips.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type | Emotion |
| Synonyms | Anxiety, dread, foreboding, premonition, fear |
| Physical signals | Watching the clock, chewing the inside of the cheek, biting the lips, rocking with a faraway look, needing to move |
| Internal sensations | Acute or long-term, suppressed |
What You'll Learn
Apprehension is a stress state
Apprehension can manifest in various physical signals and behaviours. For instance, a person may start watching the clock or door, chew the inside of their cheek, or exhibit an uneven stride. They might also become unusually quiet, or their smile might not reach their eyes. These signs indicate acute or long-term apprehension.
The emotion of apprehension can be intense and distressing, impacting an individual's thoughts, behaviours, and physical state. It is characterised by a sense of foreboding or premonition of something adverse about to happen. This feeling of dread or anticipation of misfortune can cause significant stress and affect one's overall well-being.
Furthermore, apprehension can lead to a state of heightened alertness and anxiety. Individuals may find themselves constantly on guard, anticipating potential threats or negative outcomes. This heightened state of arousal can be exhausting, impacting sleep and contributing to further stress and anxiety.
In summary, apprehension is a stress state characterised by anxiety, dread, and anticipation of misfortune. It can evoke physical and behavioural responses and significantly impact an individual's mental and emotional state. Recognising and understanding the signs of apprehension can help manage and mitigate its effects, ensuring a person can cope with challenging situations more effectively.
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Physical signals and behaviours
Apprehension is an emotion characterised by a state of stress caused by the anticipation of misfortune or adversity. It is associated with anxiety, dread, and unease.
- Watching the clock, door, or phone
- Chewing the inside of the cheek
- Wetting or biting the lips
- Rocking slightly with a distant look
- An uneven stride or hesitating before moving
- A fixed look of concentration
- Becoming unusually quiet
- A forced smile that doesn't reach the eyes
- Fidgeting or the need to move around
- Gripping the hands together
Additionally, apprehension can lead to physical effects such as a rise in blood pressure, shortness of breath, galvanic skin tightening, and perspiration.
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Internal sensations
Apprehension is an emotion of fear or anxiety about something, often an upcoming event, and it can manifest in our internal sensations and physical behaviours.
The internal sensations of apprehension are often accompanied by a desire to flee or fight, indicating a powerful emotional response to a perceived threat. This emotion can be a useful warning signal, prompting us to take action to avoid potential danger or adverse situations.
Furthermore, the feeling of apprehension can be a premonition of something adverse, a mental picture of the future filled with gloom and dread. This emotional state can cause individuals to become quiet and withdrawn, or conversely, fidgety and restless. It is a complex emotion that can vary in intensity and duration, from acute episodes to long-term states of unease.
Understanding the internal sensations of apprehension can provide valuable insights into our emotional responses and help us identify triggers and patterns. By recognising and addressing feelings of apprehension, individuals can develop strategies to manage their emotional well-being effectively.
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Synonyms: fear, anxiety, dread
Apprehension is an emotion of fear, anxiety, and dread. It is a state of stress caused by the anticipation of misfortune or adversity. The synonyms "fear", "anxiety", and "dread" are often used interchangeably, but they have distinct nuances.
"Fear" is the most general term among the three and implies anxiety and usually a loss of courage. It is a painful agitation in the presence or anticipation of danger. "Alarm" and "terror", for instance, are synonyms of "fear", but the former suggests a sudden awareness of immediate danger, while the latter implies the most extreme degree of fear.
"Dread" usually adds the idea of intense reluctance to face or meet a person or situation and suggests aversion as well as anxiety. It is a synonym of "fear" but adds a sense of anticipation and reluctance.
"Anxiety", meanwhile, is the emotion experienced in the presence or threat of danger. It is often used to describe a generalised mood disorder or a persistent state of mind characterised by excessive and uncontrollable worry about everyday things.
To summarise, while all three words are similar, "fear" is the most general term, "dread" adds a sense of reluctance, and "anxiety" conveys a persistent state of worry.
Apprehension vs. apprehensive
The words "apprehension" and "apprehensive" are related but distinct. Both terms share roots in the Latin word "apprehensionem", meaning "to seize or grasp". Over time, the meanings of these words have evolved, with "apprehension" now carrying multiple meanings, including "understanding" and "fear".
When used in the context of "understanding", "apprehension" refers to the act of learning or grasping a concept intellectually. For example, one might say: "Sarah's apprehension of mathematics meant she was top of her class". Here, "apprehension" conveys a deep understanding or grasp of a subject.
However, "apprehension" can also denote a feeling of anxious or fearful anticipation of something negative. In this sense, it implies dread, anxiety, or unease about a future event. For instance: "Despite revising, James was filled with apprehension over the exam". Here, "apprehension" reflects an emotional response to an anticipated challenge.
On the other hand, "apprehensive" is typically used to describe a person's state of mind characterised by anxiety or alarm about the future. An individual feeling "apprehensive" may exhibit physical signals such as an uneven stride, a fixed look of concentration, or unusual quietness. They may also experience internal sensations of acute or long-term apprehension.
While both "apprehension" and "apprehensive" relate to feelings of worry or concern, they differ in their specificity. "Apprehension" is a more general term that can refer to either the intellectual act of understanding or a negative emotional state. In contrast, "apprehensive" specifically describes a person's emotional and mental state of anxiety or fear.
In summary, "apprehension" and "apprehensive" are related words with distinct nuances. "Apprehension" has multiple meanings, including intellectual understanding and emotional anxiety, while "apprehensive" specifically refers to a person's state of mind characterised by fear or worry about the future.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, apprehension is an emotion characterised by fear or anxiety about something. It is often accompanied by a desire to flee or fight.
Some physical signals of apprehension include watching the clock or door, chewing the inside of the cheek, rocking slightly with a faraway look, growing unusually quiet, and needing to get up and move around.
Synonyms for apprehension include apprehensiveness, dread, gloom, fear, fright, and foreboding.
