Anxiety Versus Fear
The terms “anxiety” and “fear” are often used interchangeably. While closely related, however, the two experiences have different biologies and distinct functions, and are not the same:
- Anxiety arises when we believe something in the future might threaten us
- Fear arises when we believe something in the present is threatening us
- Anxiety is the feeling that accompanies the thought, “There might be a tiger!”
- Fear is the feeling that accompanies the thought, “There’s a tiger right there!”
- Anxiety involves keyed-up apprehension or dread
- Fear involves panic attacks: sudden rushes of intense discomfort
Because anxiety and fear are closely related, people struggling with panic attacks will benefit from this blog. Most people who have fear-related problems also have anxiety-related problems. And generally speaking, the CBT approach to treating anxiety also applies to panic.
However, there are some techniques and procedures that are exclusively used in the treatment of panic. See Mastery of Your Anxiety and Panic for a panic-specific resource.
Dylan M. Kollman, PhD
dkollman@realanxietysolutions.com
