Addicted TO FEAR?

Addicted to FEAR? What is this about?

Do you happen to know someone who lives in fear or constantly (or excessively) worrying?

Do you know that we actually CAN develop an addiction to FEAR?

I’m currently reading a book by Gabrielle Bernstein (#1 NYT bestseller author).

She says that a lot of people can rely on fear as a form of protection against feeling disappointment or hurt. We may not even be aware of it. Fear can feel like a natural way to protect yourself and stay in control. Many of us are ADDICTED TO FEAR, we feel more comfortable in a state of fear than in a place of joy and faith.

In my opinion, FEAR can be addictive in two ways: it can be used as a “CALL TO ACTION” or as a “REASON FOR INACTION”

In any case, intrigued by the idea of FEAR as a FORM OF ADDICTION OR HABIT, I decided to do some research.

Here’s what I found.

Fear is a normal emotion that signals a potential threat to your physical or emotional safety. Some fear is even healthy. It’s a natural response that helped our ancestors survive.

But as fear originates from our perceived sense of danger, it triggers dopamine reward receptors in the brain, as well as adrenaline. The combination of those hormones makes us feel physically and emotionally charged, which produces a “rush/high” that can become quite addictive.

Some people intentionally conjure the feeling of fear in order to feel more mobilized, energized, angry, ready to fight. They use fear as a call to action.

But there are people who LIVE IN FEAR all the time which means they live in a state of constant over-production of adrenaline, which, like any chemical, can be habit forming.

I know some people who are always focusing on the negative, constantly thinking something bad is going to happen. You know, it does happen to me too, I mean having irrational fears. And I’m sure everyone has, but they are usually minor. However, if your fears interfere with your normal life, maybe you have to look into it?

I was born in Russia where most older people live under continuous pressure fearing the possibility of a catastrophe (another cold war, political and economic instability, KGB, etc.). Even if there is no logical reason to expect that something bad might happen in the near future, the feeling of fright just doesn't go away.

I also know some people who have literally become addicted not only to fear and constant worrying but also to suffering. These people wholeheartedly believe they need to suffer, struggle, make sacrifices if they want something in this life. They just don’t believe that things can be good and easy. Their motto: it’s too good to be true.

Believe it or not but most of the times, FEAR is just a voice in our head that tells us a lot of lies!

We’ll learn more about fear/ fears and see how to stop fear from controlling you in our next posts...