Understanding Visceral Fear: A Primal Human Emotion

Fear is a primal, protective emotion that alerts us to the presence of danger or the threat of harm, whether that danger is physical, psychological, or emotional. It is a survival mechanism that prompts action to protect oneself from danger. Fear is a basic emotion experienced by everyone and can be considered visceral as it is felt in or as if in the internal organs of the body. It is meant to keep us away from predators and give us the boost needed to fight when necessary.

The emotion of fear is triggered as a response to perceived threats and can cause physiological changes such as increased heart rate, sweating, and high adrenaline levels. It can also influence thoughts and behaviours. The physical effects of fear throughout our body help us adjust so we can have the most effective response to a dangerous situation. On an instinctual level, our body prepares us to fight or flee.

The bodily response to fear is automatic and can leave us feeling drained. The experience of fear can be positive or negative, depending on the person. While some people may enjoy activities that induce fear, such as watching horror films or riding roller coasters, others may have a negative reaction and avoid fear-inducing situations altogether.

The evolutionary purpose of fear

Fear is an essential survival mechanism that has helped humans react to potentially life-threatening situations since ancient times. It can be a response to immediate, tangible threats, such as dangerous animals, or more abstract or future concerns, like losing one's job.

According to Seligman's (1971) preparedness hypothesis theory, humans tend to fear things that were a source of danger to our ancestors. This includes threatening animals, heights, closed spaces, and social evaluations.

While fear is a normal human experience, extreme levels of fear could result in the development of mental health conditions such as phobias or other anxiety conditions.

The physical symptoms of fear

Fear is a primal, protective emotion that alerts us to the presence of danger or the threat of harm. It is a natural, necessary response that can be experienced by everyone to some degree. When confronted with a perceived threat, the body responds with a "fight or flight" response, which prepares the body to either combat the threat or run away.

Increased Heart Rate

The body releases adrenaline in response to frightening situations, which increases the heart rate and prepares the body for action. The heart rate is directly proportional to the level of perceived threat.

Faster Breathing or Shortness of Breath

When feeling frightened or panicked, people tend to breathe at a faster rate, sometimes resulting in shortness of breath. Researchers have found that this faster breathing rhythm leads to a lower proportion of time spent inhaling, which may be the body's way of preparing for quick action.

Butterflies, Upset Stomach, or Nausea

The body's release of cortisol in response to fear or stress can cause butterflies, an upset stomach, or even nausea. Cortisol inhibits insulin production, providing the muscles with immediate energy. Once the threat is over, hormone levels return to normal, which is why people may experience these digestive symptoms when afraid.

Chills or Increased Sweating

The release of adrenaline can also increase sweating and sometimes cause chills. The chills are due to muscle contraction, including the tiny muscles surrounding hair follicles, resulting in "goosebumps."

Changes in Pupil Size

The sympathetic nervous system, part of the autonomic nervous system, is activated in response to a threat, leading to the release of hormones that cause physical reactions such as dilated pupils.

Pain or Tightness in the Chest

In addition to the above symptoms, fear can also cause physical discomfort in the form of chest pain or tightness.

While fear is a natural and necessary emotion, it can become problematic when the reaction is out of proportion to the actual threat. In such cases, seeking professional help may be beneficial to manage and overcome the fear.

The emotional symptoms of fear

Fear is a primal, protective emotion that can be experienced by everyone to varying degrees. It is a natural and necessary response to a perceived threat or danger, whether physical or psychological. While the biochemical changes that fear produces are universal, emotional responses are highly individualised.

Emotional Symptoms

People experience fear differently, but some common emotional symptoms include:

• Feeling out of control
• A sense of impending doom or death
• Overwhelm
• Anxiety
• Panic
• Distress
• Exhaustion
• Intense worry
• Unpleasant emotions

Fear vs Phobia

A phobia is a twisting of the normal fear response. The fear is directed towards an object or situation that does not present a real danger. While the fear is recognised as irrational, it cannot be controlled. Over time, the fear worsens as the fear of fear response takes hold.

Anxiety Disorders

Fear can be a symptom of anxiety disorders, including:

• Generalised Anxiety Disorder
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
• Social Anxiety Disorder
• Panic Disorder
• Phobias

The link between fear and anxiety

Fear and anxiety are closely related, with anxiety often following fear. Fear is a basic, primal, and natural emotion that can be experienced by everyone to some degree. It is a survival mechanism that prompts action to protect oneself from danger. When confronted with a perceived threat or danger, fear triggers the body's 'fight-or-flight' response, leading to physiological changes like increased heart rate, adrenaline levels, and sweating. These bodily reactions prepare the body to either combat the threat or run away from it.

The emotional response to fear is highly individualised. Because fear involves some of the same chemical responses in our brains as positive emotions such as excitement and happiness, people can experience either pleasant or unpleasant emotions in response to fear. For instance, some people enjoy riding roller coasters, while others avoid them at all costs.

Anxiety, on the other hand, is a more prolonged state of fear and apprehension related to the prediction and preparedness for future threats that are perceived as uncontrollable or unavoidable. It is a phasic (transient) state that can be adaptive or maladaptive, depending on the context. While fear is usually triggered by an immediate threat, anxiety often arises from anticipating future dangers.

Anxiety disorders such as generalised anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and phobias are characterised by persistent and excessive feelings of fear and anxiety. These disorders can develop when fear becomes extreme or is directed towards inappropriate objects or situations, such as in social phobia or specific phobias like arachnophobia.

Both fear and anxiety can have a significant impact on our thoughts, behaviours, and overall well-being. While fear is typically short-lived, chronic fear and anxiety can lead to negative health consequences, including increased risk of heart disease, kidney disease, and vision problems.

Understanding the link between fear and anxiety is essential for managing and overcoming these emotions when they become problematic. Treatments such as exposure therapy, cognitive-behavioural therapy, and systematic desensitisation can help individuals confront and reduce their fears.

How to overcome fear

Yes, fear is considered a visceral emotion. It is a basic, primal, and natural emotion that can be experienced by everyone to some degree. It is a survival mechanism that prompts action to protect oneself from danger.

• Identify your fears: Take some time to sit quietly and observe your thoughts, feelings, and bodily sensations. Write down what comes up and be as specific as possible.
• Recognize that fear can work to your advantage: Our emotions exist to tell us things. When you feel fear, your body wants to tell you something, so listen. Instead of avoiding your fear, lean into it and view it as a piece of information instead of a threat.
• Sit with your fear: Take a moment to reflect on your fear. What is the root cause? Is it a fear of uncertainty or failure? What is the story you tell yourself about why you can't overcome this fear?
• Create compelling goals: Ask yourself: What does the life I desire and deserve look like? Is it something that is attainable and that I am willing to commit to? Dig deeper into your goal and visualize the ideal outcome.
• Recognize the excuses: Fear often leads to procrastination and excuses. Recognize when you are making excuses and figure out how to overcome them.
• Surround yourself with success: Surround yourself with people who have the same mindset as you and who will push you to achieve your goals.
• Adopt a growth mindset: Get comfortable with what you don't know and continue to grow and learn. Remember that making mistakes is a natural part of the process.
• Find valuable insights in pain: Accept that your life and your efforts to achieve your goals will be painful at times, and use these painful experiences as opportunities for growth.
• Visualize your goals: Practice goal visualization to set your focus and condition your brain to believe that anything is possible.
• Accept that you will fail: Failure is a natural part of the process and can teach us valuable lessons. Accept that failure is inevitable and use it as a learning experience.

Frequently asked questions