Beyond the Boogeymen: Adults have fears too!
Our fears don’t disappear as we grow up.
Often associated with childhood, fear is a universal emotion that many adults face day in and day out. They’re not just monsters in the closet or something under the bed, which begs the question - do adults grow out of their fears or do they simply evolve into something else?
The fears faced by adults range from average cockroaches to profound thoughts like the fear of being alone. They can manifest in various ways, impacting our every move, emotion and even fleeting thoughts.
A common fear faced by many adults is a fear of the unknown. Being uncertain of the future is an unfamiliar feeling that many are uncomfortable with. Other common fears are that of ageing and the fear of being alone.
Stacey and J Sbu asked KZN if they had any fears and the results were enlightening. Listen to our podcast here:
Clinical Psychologist Dr Zachary Sikora of Northwestern Medicine notes that fear is a survival response.
Although fear is experienced in your mind, it triggers a physical reaction. The amygdala (a paired structure in the brain) alerts your nervous system which puts things in motion. Cortisol and adrenaline are released while your BP and heart rate increase.
Fear also allows us to be safe, according to Dr Sikora.
Embrace that natural part of being a human, acknowledge your fear and maybe one day you’ll be able to let them go!
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