Fear and anxiety are terms that we often used interchangeably, although they mean two different things.
- Fear is an intense reaction lived in front of a genuine, immediate danger. To fear is natural, automatic and necessary for survival. It is useful in emergency situations when we need to act quickly. For example, when I see a driver in traffic losing control of the car and coming towards me, the fear response is instantaneous, and therefore I’m able to mobilize myself in order to avoid the collision.
- Anxiety is a reaction to perceived threat. Anxiety is related to fear, but tends to be associated less with current events or present hazards, but rather with the anticipation of danger, of fear or emotional discomfort.