FEAR: An illusion of the mind

Fear is undoubtedly the most common emotion we all share. President Franklin Roosevelt once famously stated that, "the only thing we have to fear is fear itself." The truth of the matter is that we all have an innate fear of some sort within us, but some individuals are better at disguising theirs than others.

Most people often confuse fear with phobia, when in actual fact they are very different in definition. Fear is considered as an anxious emotion which induces a belief that something or a situation is dangerous or represent a threat of pain or harm. On the other hand, a phobia is simply an irrational fear of something or an imaginative situation.   

There are many kinds of fear, which psychologists categorised into 5 sections upon which all our "supposed" fears are formed. These are;

ü  Ego-death: Fear of shame, humiliation, loss of integrity, and self-disapproval. "Fear of the disintegration of one's constructed sense of worth and ability. This covers, public speaking, social exclusion, and reclusiveness.  

ü  Extinction: Fear of ceasing to exist or annihilation. This covers the phobia of height, insects, and the like.

ü  Loss of Autonomy: Fear of the loss of independence, immobility, smothering, entrapment or loss of control of circumstances. This encompasses relationships and illness.

ü  Mutilation: Fear of the loss of precious body parts. This covers the fear of being attacked by animals, insects, and others.

ü  Separation: Fear of being separated from loved ones, rejection, abandonment, and isolation.  

 

Fear has many origins, but worth highlighting are the "environmental" and "human" factors involved, which are most prevalent today. You see, I was brought up by family members who due to their troubles in life went about inflicting fear into my mind as a child. Often times, I was made to believe that I was not worth much, and as a result was deprived of self-expression of my opinions in relation to various issues. If I dared to rebel, their final resort was persistent punishment in the way of floggings until I pass out. Eventually, this had a profound effect on my psychological make-up and ultimately, my confidence and socio-interactive skills. So we ought to be mindful of the kind of discipline you dish out to your children and never submit yourselves to undue humiliation. 

In many relationships today, women are defamed in the way of physical abuse and often too afraid to leave such abusive partners/husbands, all under the guise of family cohesion. In your place of work, you may be experiencing bullying and discrimination from colleagues. As a result, you begin to question your worth and capabilities. 

In addition, in our day-to-day engagements, we sometimes are too afraid to take risks, not knowing that without risk, success is but a distant memory. Do you want to start a new business? a new course? a new careers? Go for it and don't let "FEAR" deter you.

"Fear will cripple your dreams if you allow it, so I decided to face my fear head-on, and so can you today."   

And remember the saying that, "what the mind can mind can conceive the man can do it." Fear itself is like an imaginary brick wall, to overcome it, you have to break through it.

Stay focused and be persistent on your way to defeating your worst fears.

Dr Dickson Aleroh