Cambridge Dictionary’s definition of fear is “an unpleasant emotion or thought that you have when you are frightened or worried by something dangerous, painful, or bad that is happening or might happen”. Oftentimes, unusual fears pop out of nowhere or a specific moment causes fear to run throughout one’s body.
“I first became afraid of butterflies when I learned that some were poisonous,” said sophomore Francis M.
With learning new things every day, even frightening information raises the question “is ignorance bliss? ”
Some people’s fears can affect their day to day life as they are trying to avoid what they are scared of, which can cause health problems in the long run such as panic attacks, nausea and paranoia. Breathing techniques and sometimes professional help can reduce the anxiety around the fear you might have according to heart.org.
“It’s ok to be afraid about something irrational, but don’t let it stop you from going to places or experiences […], and […] it will get better the more you see it,” said sophomore Anna P, via text message.
Exposing yourself to a fear can be very scary at first, even frightening, but if one is given time, overcoming the fear can get better if one is exposed to it gradually. Some fears people can manage, but it can still scare them out every time they see, feel it, touch it or even smell it.
“Every time I see a pattern [such as strawberry seeds] it grosses me out […], I feel my skin crawl and it freaks me out”, said Carmelina Zitarosa.
The most common fears people have are of spiders or arachnids, snakes, heights, flying, dogs, thunder and lightning, injections, social interactions, places difficult to escape, and germs according to verywellmind.com.
Everyone has an unusual fear, some fears are more extreme than others, it all depends on how one copes with their fear and if it ruins one’s life. ◼️
