Fear can be a good thing.
It starts the "fight or flight" response that helps get us out of danger whether it be attack or retreat.
When it is a constant feeling it isn't good.
It can be deadly.
Defining Chronic Fear: Many people call this anxiety disorder or similar terms.
It is the constant fear that something is going to happen.
It could be something real, like an earthquake.
It could be something imagined like a child who fears the monster under the bed.
It could be the thought of simply setting foot outside the house.
What's the Connection? Fight or flight hormones that never stop cause blood pressure to rise (and stay there), blurred vision and a near inability to accomplish anything related to what is feared.
I'll give you an example, using me.
I am afraid of water and I am afraid of heights.
I live near the Pacific ocean and there are a lot of piers.
Most of them have things to do on them, such as a restaurant or a ferris wheel.
It takes every ounce of willpower I have simply to walk out onto any of them.
I can feel my blood pressure go up.
It's a perfectly safe pier.
What Can I Do? For something like the example above you have to decide if what you want to do is more important than your fear.
I wanted to say I'd walked out on the longest pier in Southern California, and I did it.
I'm actually very proud of that.
This is something you may be able to do.
There are other fears that may not respond to "go out and do it.
" Again, I'll use myself as an example.
As mentioned I am afraid of heights.
Can you imagine what even the thought of plane flight does to my insides? I can't fly without medical intervention.
Admitting something scares you and getting help can do more than make you happy about your accomplishments.
Getting rid of the hormones that cause high blood pressure could save your life.