The 7 differences between anxiety and fear

Both concepts, anxiety and fear, show similar features, which means that both terms can be confused. We must try to know the differences to know when it is proper to use each one.

So, in this article we will talk about the differences between anxiety and fear, how both terms are defined and what differences they show.

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What are the differences between anxiety and fear?

Anxiety is a state of activation of the organism, which gives rise to an experience in which the subject feels restless, excited, insecure. For its part, fear is defined as a feeling of anguish that appears in the face of real or imaginary danger. In both cases the reaction is similar, anxiety is even described as a feeling of fear. But we should not confuse or use both terms as synonyms, since they show differences; therefore, we cannot consider them the same reaction.

So let's see what these differences are that distinguish anxiety from fear.

1. The stimuli that cause the reaction

Although the reaction may be similar, the stimuli that produce it are different. When the stimulus is dangerous, such as a lion, we will talk about fear; On the other hand, when the stimulus is a threatening situation for the subject, it can affect our interest, our social image... we will consider it to be anxiety. In other words, we can consider that the stimuli that cause fear can actually pose a danger to the life of the person who feels it. On the contrary, the situation that produces anxiety is not dangerous for the subject's life.

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2. reaction type

Linked to the type of stimulus that each sensation entails. In the case of fear, as it is a reaction to a threatening stimulus for the life of the subject, the behavior that appears most frequently, in an involuntary way, is flight, going out in a hurry. Or even, depending on the situation, the most adaptive reactions may be to fight if we have no escape, or to remain paralyzed, so that they do not see us.

Instead, in situations that generate anxiety, we will only need a small activation for it to be functional, perform the function of alerting us, but allow us to control it. Otherwise, if the reaction is very high, it can affect our performance, not allowing us to have an adequate behavior.

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3. Facial expression

Fear can be understood as a basic emotionSince it consists of a universal facial expression, capable of being recognized by subjects around the world, it is cross-cultural. In the same way, this facial expression is not learned, which means that from a very young age we show it, even blind subjects, who have not been able to see the expression, perform it without problems.

On the contrary, anxiety is not linked to a specific facial expression, that is, the subject can express it in a different way and not all cultures will show it the same way.

This distinction and lack of universal expression for anxiety, may be due to the importance of each reaction, that is, Fear is a functional reaction that makes us activate and act in a situation that can put our lives at risk. lifetime. On the other hand, the feeling of anxiety is not an indicator of danger to our survival, we could not show it and continue living.

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4. time of appearance

We could consider that fear appears before a present stimulus, which generates an immediate reaction in us due to the threat it poses. On the contrary, anxiety usually appears before a possible future event. That is, the event has not yet taken place, but the subject feels restless and excited about it, anticipates what may happen, linking with negative thoughts.

With the following examples it will be easier to understand: fear will appear when exposed to a snake, the animal is present; instead, anxiety appears when we anticipate how we will feel, what will happen, when we present the work in front of the class, the event has not yet taken place.

5. Nature of terms

Both concepts show a different nature or highlight different components. Fear is influenced by biological components; As we have seen, it is an innate reaction, not learned, that occurs automatically in the face of a dangerous stimulus. Instead, anxiety shows a cognitive nature, thought acts to a greater extent, how the subject interprets the situation and what meaning he gives it. In this way, although in anxiety we also observe a behavioral and physiological reaction, the cognitive interpretation that is made is what will lead to the experience of anxiety.

6. brain activation

In both cases, brain activation occurs, but in the case of fear, since it is a more unconscious reaction and especially due to the need to make a quick response that protects us from danger, the circuit that is activated is short, reaching the information from the external stimulus to the amygdala, which is part of the limbic system and it is the one that will give rise to the feeling of fear.

However, anxiety will require a longer mental process, a cognitive interpretation and assessment of the situation is performed, where not only the stimulus or external situation will be taken into account, but also the knowledge or experiences that we have experienced previously. In this way, by needing more time to show the feeling of anxiety, the reaction will not be instantaneous, as we have said, since the life of the subject is not in danger, this is not necessary either. As we can see, our body is wise and knows how to process each stimulus.

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7. Type of treatment

Since the stimulus that generates the reaction and the mental process that is carried out is different, the treatment indicated for each sensation will also be different. In the case of fear that, as we have seen, is produced by an external stimulus that poses a threat to the subject, we will consider this reaction as functional. But when this reaction appears intensely, affecting the subject's life, we do see the need to intervene.

The treatment that has shown greater efficacy in these cases is in vivo exposure to the phobic stimulus. The graduation or intensity of exposure will depend on each patient, in order to prevent the exposure experience from being experienced as very aversive and the feeling of fear is very intense we can carry out complementary behaviors, such as breathing to reduce the activation. When exposure to the stimulus is difficult, either because of its low frequency of appearance or because of the high expense involved, such as traveling by airplane, we can make exhibitions in imagination or in virtual reality, although we must always end up making exhibitions in live.

Now, as we have mentioned, in the process that occurs when faced with the sensation of anxiety, a more subjective assessment, that is, the way the user interprets and assesses the situation. subject. For this reason, the intervention on this occasion will be aimed at modifying the way of thinking or interpret the situation, with the purpose of achieving a more adaptive thought and that does not generate discomfort in the individual.

The technique that has proven effective is cognitive restructuring, which consists of confronting the irrational and negative beliefs that the subject may show, with the purpose of trying to reverse these distortions and achieve a more functional thought. Questions such as “What if?” are often used. or “What is the worst that can happen?” so that the person has consider and assess other alternatives and realize that the consequences that could occur are not as negative as believe.

Likewise, exposure to the stimulus or phobic situation is also appropriate and has shown efficacy in reducing anxiety. For example, in situations of social anxiety, it has shown good results to work in a group to that patients can be exposed to social situations and practice acting in an environment sure.

At the moment, intervention that uses cognitive and behavioral techniques in a combined way It has shown high efficacy, being one of the most used in different disorders, such as anxiety disorders.