Fear is subjective just like any other instinct or sensation. Humans have all sorts of fears and a name prescribed to each one of them. It does not come to us without a rhyme or reason or sometimes certain encounters or incidents that we have experienced in life. Claustrophobia is one of the most common phobias, it may occur due to any past trauma or maybe someone discovered it only when they faced being in a closed space to which someone else would have reacted pretty normally. Extreme fear of something is a mental disorder but it is nothing to be afraid of, people just need to acknowledge it and not stigmatize it. Fear of being alone or Agoraphobia is a serious condition that bounds people to their houses. This may vary from being in a situation or place where escape may be difficult. The fear involves of crowded areas, open spaces, or situations that are likely to trigger a panic attack. Besides, another related fear is the fear of missing out. It may seem like a problem that does not affect many because everyone likes to feel in control of the situation. But somewhere or the other, in case of certain people, in certain situations, every single person has experienced this. We would be detached from the society if we could be entirely self-sufficient. Since we are social animals, a collective conscience is what binds all of us and this fear is pretty much inclusive in that sense.
Overcoming phobias has never been a piece of cake. Individuals suffering from specific conditions have been made fun of by their peers even family. To overcome the fear as such, surrounding oneself with compassionate people who do not judge on the basis of this, is integral. The very next step is to face the fears that may have haunted them for years. Even if one cannot completely get rid of it, they should know how to calm themselves when it is required. In moments of panic, they should resort to thinking or doing things that soothe them and take their minds off the turmoil.
Fear, as said before, is subjective. Being afraid to express oneself or standing up for oneself or trying to overcome phobias, are the kind that can be taken up and it most favorably takes us towards building self-respect or dealing with the demons within. However, situations that have a visibly negative outcome or oblivious outcomes are the ones foe which we need to lookout for. We take life as it comes to us, nothing is definite and one should take risks after validating all possible consequences.
As Dudley Nichols said “Fear is the highest fence”, we too should follow it in certain circumstances. When we talk of the unforeseen future, the fear of unknown unites us as a species. Just as it is shown in the movie “Duel” (by Spielberg) both the characters are subjected to the fear of the unknown. Neither of them, have any idea what the other person is thinking. Both go on with the mindset that either one wants to kill each other. This mystery does not get solved until the end and one of them ends up losing his life. Darwin’s theory of survival of the fittest has the concept of fear deeply seated in it. You either terminate the person who is a threat to you or be killed of not attempting to do anything about it.
In the present scenario, the COVID-19 situation is rampant, survival has become the priority for everyone. Every passing day we are getting to know newer and scarier facts about the pandemic spreading virus. It is mutating every hour from beginning to infect humans and now spread to cats. Therefore, we are completely unaware of what is coming for us, the doom that awaits us and the exponentially degrading GDP making our future insecure. A constant state of fear is what we are residing in, we are grabbing all the hand sanitizers we can, tissues are going out of stock, all sorts of traffic has been suspended, schools and offices have been shut down. Even after taking all these precautions, positive cases of corona virus have been increasing over time. The impending cannot be stopped but we are scared and that is what is protecting us. A few of us who have to leave the house premises are wearing masks, washing ourselves head to toe after coming back home, sanitizing our hands every now and then – all in a state of panic. Had we not been afraid of this health hazard, had we been nonchalant about the entire matter, the result could have been worse. The government and the media have done a good job in inducing the fright in us.
In conclusions, fear is a real thing and acknowledging it only makes us stronger and does not seem a sissy at all. An intelligent and practical individual will always be aware of the problems and will not plunge into a mindless situation just to show off her or his bravery.
BLOGBLOG 