Fear is an emotion all of us have felt and will continue to feel, at times, throughout ours lives. This emotion helps us determine if something is a threat and how to proceed. Fear is our very own warning light that pops up internally to let us know that something does not seem right and we need to be cautious. However, sometimes the warning light pops up all too often and, at times, when there really may be nothing to fear at all.

Predicting the future

Our brain and body are a team and one of the neat things they do together is help us predict the future. Our body “remembers” pain and discomfort that has been experienced and the brain will look for signs in our environment that pain or discomfort could come again. If it does, then those same body reactions will trigger again.

Overcoming fear

To illustrate, Let me tell you about my dog Snickers. My brother and I went to the APA of Missouri (an animal shelter) to adopt a dog. When we were looking at all the dogs there, it was a difficult decision to make. We introduced Snickers to my current dog Waffles. They got along best during their meet and greet. When I brought Snickers home, I started to notice things I had not when I was at the APA. For example, she did not like crossing thresholds or going into other rooms. She would also come cower by me when my brother got near her (something she did not do when we first met her). Snickers was afraid of us, the house, and to some extent even my other dog.

Snickers was so unsure of our home, she escaped from the backyard twice. I recovered her both times. She was afraid of this new place, new people, and wanted to get away. Many times when we are gripped with fear, we have a similar response, to run away or avoid whatever is causing the fear. The only issue is that avoiding what you are afraid of and continually running away will never help you overcome that fear. The brain will always register that fear as being justified if you continue to do the same behavior over and over.

With Snickers, it was a slow process; she needed to learn that she didn’t have to be afraid. So we were slow to approach her, we let her explore the house on her own, did not push her through the doorways or thresholds but helped to explore her curiosity by offering encouragement and, of course, treats. After a month, Snickers had formed a bond with her new “pack” and she no longer cowers in front of us, no longer runs away, and no longer is afraid to explore the house. Snickers had a lot of reasons to be afraid, her previous owners were abusive and she thought we might be the same.

Over time her fear has drastically decreased. She will play with friends that come over, be social with other dogs, and even let strangers pet her without cowering. Snickers had to learn that her fear was not accurate for every person and every situation like it had been before.

Paralyzed by Fear

What this story tells us is that experiencing fear comes from experiences, fear is normal, and fear can be reduced or changed with new experiences. Sometimes the experiences we have had in the past create an atmosphere of fear we carry every day. We may need a little push to create a life that is not dictated by fear. Facing fear is a challenging path and some need help to do it. Snickers would have never been able to trust other people unless we had shown her we could be trusted. The best way to work through fear is by walking towards it, and it is much easier to walk in the right direction with someone helping you the find the way. Contact us today to start overcoming your fear.