Fear versus anxiety

[Inner Peace]

Can someone explain the difference between fear and anxiety? Seems like many people use these words interchangeably. Is there an agreed-to difference? For example, suppose a person has to give a presentation. I assume that person will experience both fear and anxiety. What does the fear look like? What does the anxiety look like? Seems to me that fear is more something experienced in the present moment and anxiety is worrying about what may happen in the future. But it’s hard for me to get a handle on the difference. Thanks.

[tina martin]

Great question. My first (simplistic) stop is Webster. Anxiety is being troubled, uneasy in mind causing worry filled with such feeling. Fear is an unpleasant emotion caused by nearness of danger or expectation of pain.

The little library of shrink books I have cross reference the two. They may be Siamese twins.

[tina martin]

I have now spent some time reading and thinking about this interesting question. My conclusion is that anxiety can be a more generalized feeling while fear is likely to be more specific, turning into specific phobias.

Fear is what I grew up with and understand. Recognizing the origins helps me a great deal. The resulting phobias (travel, driving, agoraphobia) are consequently mild and manageable.

Thank you for causing me to think about these two conditions that can have such impact.

[Inner Peace]

Tina:

Thanks for looking into this and replying. Yes it does make sense that anxiety is more generalized and fear is more specific. We talk of a fear of flying, fear of public speaking, etc - these are all specific.

[Juno]

I always thought fear involved a real life danger, but anxiety did not. Anxiety seems to be a what-if kind of feeling that may or may not happen like you don't know the outcome of something or may be connected to something that will never happen and is irrational. Fear is actually necessary for survival and protects us. If an angry wolf foaming at the mouth were running at you, hopefully you would feel fear and that might save your life. Anxiety, I think, would be if you saw a wolf at the zoo and were anxious it will get out and eat you.

[JaninaEllen]

I always thought fear involved a real life danger, but anxiety did not. Anxiety seems to be a what-if kind of feeling that may or may not happen like you don't know the outcome of something or may be connected to something that will never happen and is irrational. Fear is actually necessary for survival and protects us. If an angry wolf foaming at the mouth were running at you, hopefully you would feel fear and that might save your life. Anxiety, I think, would be if you saw a wolf at the zoo and were anxious it will get out and eat you.

[tina martin]

I have no idea what is going on with changes here being a tech neanderthal, but am trying anyway.

Juno, your post is putting fear into its proper perspective. It was, in fact, fear, that saved our lives.

[Juno]

Are you talking about the new web format or fear in general? Ha ha. Have no fear of technology. But yes, I think fear can save your life as long as it is based on reality. Most of my "fears" or anxiety for a long time have been fictional or a negative what if in my head. I think it's so imporant to distinguish between the two--real fear and anxiety. I know it has been for me. But it's been 2 years and I'm still coping with it. It doesn't magically go away. I'm having more tests done on my endocrine system to make sure it's not hormonal. I have found that ruling out real physical illness first helps.

[SoWhatif]

Juno that is a great example using the Wolf.