UNLOCKING THE KEYS TO DEFEAT FEAR AND ANXIETY
This topic dwells on exposing the dangers of fear and anxiety to our mental heath while also providing the keys to defeat fear and anxiety when faced with trauma.
Fear is an unpleasant emotion caused by the threat of danger, pain or harm. Some one once defined fear as False Evidence Appearing Real. To some large extent this is true because as much as that thing or situation hasn’t conquered you, then it is not yet real. You still have the ability to defeat it. The human mind can be trained and developed to conquer fear because fear if not conquered can break us, kill us, discourage us, leaving us hopeless and helpless. There are many categories of fear we as human beings experience on a daily basis and I will just leverage on 12 major ones.
Fear of the Unknown: This is a fundamental and natural human fear. It often stems from the uncertainty and unpredictability of future events or situations. The unknown is often associated with stepping outside one’s comfort zone. Fear can arise when individuals are confronted with unfamiliar territories or experiences.
Fear of Failure: This category of fear can be seen as a powerful and universal human experience. It can manifest in various aspects of life, from personal relationships to academic and professional pursuits.
Fear of Death: a profound and existential fear that many people grapple with at different points in their lives. It’s a complex fear that can be influenced by various factors, including cultural, religious, and personal beliefs. The fear of death can be intensified by a strong attachment to life, relationships, and experiences. The thought of leaving loved ones or unfinished goals can evoke anxiety.
Fear of taking Risks: The fear of taking risks is a common apprehension that often stems from the uncertainty and potential negative outcomes associated with stepping into the unknown. The unknown outcome of a risk can trigger anxiety. Humans naturally seek predictability and control, and stepping into uncertain situations can be intimidating.
Displeasing Your Self to Please Others: Displeasing yourself to please others is a common behavior that often stems from a desire for external validation, fear of rejection, or a tendency to prioritize others’ needs over your own.
Marital and Relationship Fear: This can manifest in various ways such as fear of abandonment, concerns about misunderstandings and miscommunications and fear of infidelity. They often involve concerns about the well-being and longevity of a romantic partnership.
Fear of What People Would Say: The fear of what people would say, also known as social anxiety or fear of judgment, is a common concern that many people experience. This fear often revolves around the worry of being negatively evaluated or criticized by others.
Fear of Adversity: Adversity encompasses a range of tough circumstances, including setbacks, obstacles, and hardships. The fear of adversity is a natural human response to the challenges and difficulties that life can present. Adversity is inherently unpredictable, and the fear may stem from not knowing how to navigate or overcome challenging situations. The unknown nature of adversity can be anxiety-inducing. Adversity often requires stepping outside of one’s comfort zone to confront and overcome challenges.
Fear of Not being good enough: is a common and deeply rooted fear that can impact various aspects of life, including relationships, work, and self-esteem. The fear often stems from underlying self-doubt and a negative self-perception. Individuals may question their abilities, worth, or competence.
Fear of Rejection: The fear of rejection is a common and deeply rooted human experience. It can manifest in various areas of life, from personal relationships to professional pursuits. This could be in the form of social rejection, professional rejection and romantic rejection.
Fear of Loss: This is a powerful and universal emotion that can manifest in various forms such as loss of loved ones, material loss, loss of identity, loss of health.
Trauma Related Fear: This is the fear that often stems from experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event such as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
The good news is you can choose to control your fear rather than it controlling you. You can dominate that fear and use it to your advantage. Fear only becomes fear when you accept what it offers. Fear sometimes dosen’t just happen, it works with something known as anxiety. When fear and anxiety is present in someone, the mental health and stability of the person becomes vulnerable
Anxiety is the twin brother of fear. By anxiety we mean a natural response to stress but when it starts popping up without a clear cause or lingers longer than necessary, that’s when it becomes a bit of a party crasher in your mind. Anxiety is like that friend who always shows up uninvited and overstay their welcome. It’s the feeling of worry, fear, or unease, often about something with an uncertain outcome. Everyone experiences anxiety at times but it becomes a mental health problem when it begins to affect our mental health, when it becomes chronic, overwhelming and disrupts your ability to function in various areas of life such as work, relationships and personal activities, It becomes a serious problem when it is diagnosed as an anxiety disorders.
Anxiety might be considered a mental health problem and extremely dangerous when;
1.It is intense and lasts for an extended period beyond what might be considered a normal response to a stressful situation.
2.It starts interfering with your ability to work, study, maintain relationships or carry out daily activities.
3.There are persistent physical symptoms such as headaches, muscle tension and sleep disturbances.
4.Social isolation and limitations in activities escalates.
5.Feeling constantly on the edge, irritable or having a sense of impending doom.
Unlocking the Keys to Defeating Fear and Anxiety.
Overcoming fear and anxiety is like taming a wild beast. You’ve got to approach it with patience, persistence, resilience and a good strategy. To defeat fear and anxiety there are certain keys to use. Ability to use these keys will make you stand tall over fear and anxiety and improve your mental health and well- being.
Acknowledge and Accept
Recognize and accept that fear and anxiety are a natural part of life. It’s okay to feel these emotions but it’s also essential not to let them control you.
Identify Triggers
Understand what triggers your fear and anxiety. It could be specific situations, thoughts or patterns. Identifying these triggers is the first step in gaining control.
Educate Yourself
Learn about fears. Sometimes understanding the root or the nature of what you fear can demystify it and make it more manageable.
Challenge Negative Thoughts
Question and challenge negative thoughts that contribute to your fear or anxiety. Ask yourself if your fears are based on facts or assumptions.
Breathing and Relaxation Techniques
Practice deep breathing, meditation or other relaxation techniques. These can help calm your mind and body, making it easier to manage anxiety.
Gradual Exposure
Gradually expose yourself to what you fear in a controlled way. This is called systematic desensitization. Start small and work your way up as you become more comfortable.
Set Realistic Goals
Set small but achievable goals to build your confidence,. Celebrate your successes no matter how small and use them as stepping stones.
Positive Visualization
Learn to visualize positive outcomes and experience. Create a mental image of success rather than dwelling on potential failures.
Seek Support
Share your fear with someone you trust. Sometimes talking about it can be incredibly relieving.
Healthy Life style
Maintain a healthy life style with regular exercise, balanced nutrition and sufficient sleep. Physical well-being can significantly impact mental health.
Professional Help
If fear and anxiety persist, consider seeking the help of a mental health professional such as a therapist or counsellor. They can provide additional tools and strategies tailored to your situation just like Arogi Trauma Care Foundation, an NGO located in Lagos, Nigeria fueled with the passion of helping anyone facing any form of emotional or psychological trauma. Your mental health is our primary concern and the service rendered is absolutely free.
Remember progress might be slow but each step forward is victory. Be patient with your self and celebrate the courage it takes to confront your fears.
Frederick Abiola-Cudjoe
Frederick Abiola Cudjoe is a blogger, content creator who is in service to Arogi Trauma Care Foundation. He is solution driven and result oriented. He has a strong passion to always make clients have the best customer service experience.
