Hm, how would I describe fear ? Well, the fear that I "feel" is like if you were walking in a dark alley and someone came up behind you... THAT feeling. To describe it, I would have to say racing heart, sick to my stomach, frozen, clammy, nervous,shakey, unsure,...that's probably not the way to describe it, but that's the only way I know how...lol

Fear feels like choking,unable to breath,unable to move... maybe that's better ?

To me fear is very simple. It's my loss of control in the situation. Any control! When I feel the acid burn in my stomach, and I realize there is nothing I can do about it (except the obvious which would be to ignore it and stop stressing) I feel the acid rise, I feel my heart speed up and I feel my throat tighten, I feel a power house of irrepressible uncomfort spread and I realize there is nothing I can do to control it. Then ::boom:: panic issues.

And though I realize if I hold out and choose to ignore the fear or loss of control, I will actually be taking control, I most often feed the fear with negative images and sadness. I think that's how the anxiety cycle stays fueled, at least for me.

I hope this helps some!

Aubrey : )

all i can say, is you want to get away out of it or from it as fast as you can go!!!!!!!like someone chasing you in the dark and you cant get away!
its a horrible thing fear...
been there way to many times myself,,
bren

Thanks!

Maybe what I am telling my counselor is fear is really just anxiety...the build up.

I really don't get that horrible fear you described all that much anymore. I get that way during a panic attack.

I guess I am not having that fear that much because I am avoiding...and not having much of a life sitting home avoiding.

Hmmm. This could be a pivotal week.

Thanks, Betsy

to add to ScorpopBliss, you feel like your choking, your heat is racing so hard you feel it all over your body just one racing heart, you are afraid to move but your are shakeing so hard you can't even hold a glass, you feel like you are dying and can't stop it, your world is ending and you want to LIVE but don't know how, you feel like if you do what is causing the fear you will explode, explode with fear, that it will become greaeer than you and you feel so helpless.

I agree that fear feels like having no control over a situation. The physical feeling is tenseness or tightness & I forget to breathe.

Interesting, we all pretty much have the same feeling. What's that tell you ? ANXIETYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY !

When you really think about it, it's SO irrational. But, when you are having bad anxiety, you're terrified and for what ??? We make ourselves SICK because of our thinking. Anxiety is (like Jan & Aubrey said) fear of losing control. Well, if we're afraid of losing control, then we shouldn't try to control everything. Including OUR PAST AND OUR FUTURE. Considering we can't go back in a time capsule, and none of us are fortune tellers then WHY try to control either 1?

At this point in my life, the only thing I want to control is my bladder :):):)

It's like that moment when you realize that you don't know what to do...unsure how to take control or fix the situation.

anxiety is an irrational belief based on fears

FOR SURE.. WE ALL HAVE THE SAME DESCRIPTION.. AND IT'S ALL ANXIETY.

WHEN I WAS AT MY WORST WITH PTSD I'D HAVE TO SAY THAT THE IRRATIONAL FEAR WAS WAY MORE INTENSE AND YOU ARE SO NOT IN CONTROL THAT YOU CAN'T READ A SITUATION.. THE PARANOYA .. THE FIGHT OR FLIGHT... WERE ALL 'VERY' REAL.. THE FLASHBACKS.. THE NIGHTMARES.. CONCEPTS OF REALITY WAS A WAY MORE INTENSE FEAR THAN HOW I WOULD DESCRIBE ANXIETY.

Fear is the bracing for something you 'see' coming - real or hypothetical... it's the dread of what is coming.

If 'what's coming' actually happens right then, I guess it can serve a purpose. You are at the ready, knees bent, ready for fight or flight!!!


It's a gazelle darting away from a lion. Autopilot animal mode. An opposum passing out from the short circuit.

It's that drum on the way to the gallows. All those movies with hangings: it's not the hanging, it's the walk to the gallows with the drumbeat in the background that is so brutal.

So... I guess imaginary gallows are such a shame! But how to really be free?

that is the best description ever startrail!

Light Bulb Moment!

While analyzing FEAR, I remember reading in my book about solutins to worry. One type of worry is with verbal thoughts rather than images.

So, if I change my thoughts my body should follow! I know that is what all our inspirational quotes are about...but, I just got it and I beleive it! I really think that all my hard work will pay off. :)

Betsy

and a belief is only something our mind keeps thinking until we believe it to be true!
loss of control for me is fear and it comes on very suddenly - a feeling of total impending doom!

THERE YA GO, Betsy !!!!

WOOT WOOT !