04/09/2020
Have you ever wondered about the difference between fear and anxiety?
According to the official book of mental health conditions:
"Fear is the emotional response to real or perceived IMMINENT threat, while anxiety is anticipation of FUTURE threat. Fear is associated with surges of autonomic arousal (fight or flight), thoughts of immediate danger, and escape behaviors; anxiety is more often associated with muscle tension and vigilance in preparation for future danger, and cautious or avoidant behaviors." - DSM-5*
Many of us are experiencing both of these while the pandemic is ongoing. There ARE both imminent and future threats: ourselves or loved ones contracting or transmitting the virus, as well as uncertain threats to our finances, access to basic needs, and our sense of social connectedness.
Our nervous systems are wired to respond to threats with fear and anxiety in order to keep us alive: we NEED to be vigilant and cautious to avoid spreading or contracting a virus that could harm us or those we love. If fear/anxiety is the messenger, let's acknowledge it; give it a gentle nod of thanks for looking out; make sure we're taking appropriate actions to stay safe; then take a deep breath, and breathe it out.
If you can't shake the fear/anxiety and it feels overwhelming, take that as a sign that your system is asking for help. Honor your body and your mind by reaching out to talk to a friend, a loved one, or a professional for support. We will all get through this together.
Katy Gelinas, MA, LPC
Undivided Soul Counseling (Waterbury, CT)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
*American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Anxiety Disorders. In Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). Arlington, VA: Author.
