Reading Log - 2
Title: The Complexity of Fear
Text Type: Short Written Text - Article
Written by Mary C. Lamia
'The Complexity of Fear' is a compelling article written by Mary Lamia, distinguishing the subtle and great differences between fear and anxiety. In this text, it is explained that fear and anxiety is the a response to any sort of threat, however, the two concepts approach our thought process in different ways.
From this text, I have gathered information which I surprisingly find quite relatable. The article uses the example of 'someone suddenly jumping out at you from behind a bush' to portray a feeling of fear. If you were in that position, what would you do? That is a question you would most likely asked yourself to find an impulsive response to any threatening situation, which you feel your well being and safety is at risk. Lamia states that being in a risky situation, it is quite likely that you would search your thoughts for options along the lines of 'freeze, flight, fight or fright'. Freeze, meaning to stay still and let whatever might happen to you, just happen. Flight, meaning to make a direct escape, and fight, as in staying to stand your own ground. I find myself in this position quite often. It makes me wonder how many fears I have in this world, but it would be impossible to list them all because I only really recognise them the moment they occur. For example, flying. Whenever I think of flying, I think of the times when I was younger and the excitement of getting on a plane to get to my destination. However, if I remember correctly, earlier this year, I was on a flight to Palmerston North, and the turbulence was quite bad with a slight jolt just setting off great fear. My first thought was to cry. I felt as though my life was at great risk and there was no way of escaping it, causing the tears to stream down my pale face.
Anxiety is something confuses me, yet it also makes complete sense to me. Lamia states that '... anxiety is a general state of distress that is longer lasting than fear' which I understand. However, when continuing that sentence, '...and usually is triggered by something that is not specific, even though it produces physiological arousal, such as nervousness and apprehension', it makes me wonder, how can you be concerned over something without even knowing what it is? But, I also feel as though I understand how being in an anxious situation would feel. This text makes anxiety seem a lot more complicated than it really is, but at the same time, isn't that the whole meaning behind anxiety? It's some complicated experience which you don't wish to go through, but you just can't help it and you feel as if there is no way of avoiding it. Also what makes it so much more worse, is if you have indicated a situation which you know makes you feel nervous and worried, you remember that thought for future occurrences. Going back to my personal experience of flying to Palmerston North, and going through what I felt was a near traumatic experience - although I obviosly know I was completely safe the entire flight - it still makes me nervous to get on planes. Taking a couple of trips to Wellington and back since then have been quite hard for me. There was barely any turbulence during those flights, but the thought of the plane falling out of the sky and me never seeing the faces of the ones I love ever again, really scares me. Flying is just one of those things that make me anxious I guess.
Although fear is a judgement of a risky situation, it isn't always a great excuse for some impromptu decisions you decide to make. There are times when your actions are acceptable, such as self defense, in fearful times, however I feel as though it is frowned upon sometimes when taken quite out of hand and not seriously. Anxiety is something which I feel is an annoying issue, and from what I believe, going through very minor phases of it, it made me realise how mentally painful it would be for those with anxiety disorders. I personally still don't quite understand the difference between fear and anxiety, even after reading this article, but I guess that's the whole reason behind Mary Lamia writing and discussing it. The Complexity of Fear. Fear is a complicated concept to grasp great knowledge on, but one thing is for sure, you really know what fear is when you feel it in your heart.
'The Complexity of Fear' is a compelling article written by Mary Lamia, distinguishing the subtle and great differences between fear and anxiety. In this text, it is explained that fear and anxiety is the a response to any sort of threat, however, the two concepts approach our thought process in different ways.
From this text, I have gathered information which I surprisingly find quite relatable. The article uses the example of 'someone suddenly jumping out at you from behind a bush' to portray a feeling of fear. If you were in that position, what would you do? That is a question you would most likely asked yourself to find an impulsive response to any threatening situation, which you feel your well being and safety is at risk. Lamia states that being in a risky situation, it is quite likely that you would search your thoughts for options along the lines of 'freeze, flight, fight or fright'. Freeze, meaning to stay still and let whatever might happen to you, just happen. Flight, meaning to make a direct escape, and fight, as in staying to stand your own ground. I find myself in this position quite often. It makes me wonder how many fears I have in this world, but it would be impossible to list them all because I only really recognise them the moment they occur. For example, flying. Whenever I think of flying, I think of the times when I was younger and the excitement of getting on a plane to get to my destination. However, if I remember correctly, earlier this year, I was on a flight to Palmerston North, and the turbulence was quite bad with a slight jolt just setting off great fear. My first thought was to cry. I felt as though my life was at great risk and there was no way of escaping it, causing the tears to stream down my pale face.
Anxiety is something confuses me, yet it also makes complete sense to me. Lamia states that '... anxiety is a general state of distress that is longer lasting than fear' which I understand. However, when continuing that sentence, '...and usually is triggered by something that is not specific, even though it produces physiological arousal, such as nervousness and apprehension', it makes me wonder, how can you be concerned over something without even knowing what it is? But, I also feel as though I understand how being in an anxious situation would feel. This text makes anxiety seem a lot more complicated than it really is, but at the same time, isn't that the whole meaning behind anxiety? It's some complicated experience which you don't wish to go through, but you just can't help it and you feel as if there is no way of avoiding it. Also what makes it so much more worse, is if you have indicated a situation which you know makes you feel nervous and worried, you remember that thought for future occurrences. Going back to my personal experience of flying to Palmerston North, and going through what I felt was a near traumatic experience - although I obviosly know I was completely safe the entire flight - it still makes me nervous to get on planes. Taking a couple of trips to Wellington and back since then have been quite hard for me. There was barely any turbulence during those flights, but the thought of the plane falling out of the sky and me never seeing the faces of the ones I love ever again, really scares me. Flying is just one of those things that make me anxious I guess.
Although fear is a judgement of a risky situation, it isn't always a great excuse for some impromptu decisions you decide to make. There are times when your actions are acceptable, such as self defense, in fearful times, however I feel as though it is frowned upon sometimes when taken quite out of hand and not seriously. Anxiety is something which I feel is an annoying issue, and from what I believe, going through very minor phases of it, it made me realise how mentally painful it would be for those with anxiety disorders. I personally still don't quite understand the difference between fear and anxiety, even after reading this article, but I guess that's the whole reason behind Mary Lamia writing and discussing it. The Complexity of Fear. Fear is a complicated concept to grasp great knowledge on, but one thing is for sure, you really know what fear is when you feel it in your heart.
