Almost everyone has something that makes them at least a little afraid. What causes fear differs greatly from person to person. Some anxiety is normal, but for some people, the fears become so overwhelming that they begin to develop anxiety disorders. These disorders have a great negative impact on a person’s life.
The problem begins when you start to put all your attention on what causes you fear. When you start to obsess over your fears and worries, you may begin to experience panic attacks or anxiety. When this happens it is important to seek help before life becomes unbearable. You may be treated by a counselor or psychotherapist, or you may want to try some self-help techniques and natural remedies first. Whatever treatment you receive, it is important to address and overcome what you are afraid of.
What are the common causes of fear?
For people who have social anxiety or social phobia, being in social situations is what causes them to fear. These people tend to avoid being in crowds or going to parties because they fear embarrassment or that other people are judging them. Causes of social anxiety can be a past traumatic event that occurred in a public place, or a mistrust problem that developed from a young age. Some experience social anxiety in very specific circumstances, for example when giving a speech in public.
What causes fear in others may be a particular animal or insect. Snakes, rats, spiders, and cockroaches are commonly feared animals. This could be due to a past traumatic experience with that type of animal, or it could simply be caused by a lack of familiarity with that animal. What causes fear in animals can also be (often untrue) stories of a specific animal carrying disease.
Being confined in small spaces like elevators is what generates fear in some people. This is called claustrophobia. These people fear that they have no way to escape from these spaces and feel that they are not getting enough air to breathe. At the other extreme, some people fear open spaces. This type of fear or phobia is called agoraphobia. Both of these specific phobias likely originated from a bad experience in the past.
Financial pressure is what causes fear to many people. Worrying about not being able to pay the bills or provide enough food for the family is common in our society. The most distressing thing is that, unlike many other types of fear that have no rational basis, financial fear is too often based on reality.
The world can be a scary place at times and there are many possible triggers for fear. If your fears are becoming overwhelming, it is very important to identify what you are afraid of. Then you can start looking for ways to face and overcome those fears before they develop into a debilitating phobia or anxiety disorder.