Do you know what fear or anxiety is? Both are natural parts of every person’s life and influence our decisions, behaviors, and daily routines. But what do they have in common, and how are they different? When are fear and anxiety useful and normal—and when do they become harmful?
What Is Anxiety and What Purpose Does It Serve?
Anxiety is an emotion that can completely take over a person. During this state, the autonomic nervous system is activated, the individual feels tense, has a sense of foreboding, and perceives a subjective sense of danger. What we often forget is that anxiety can be an incredible and highly effective motivator. It prepares us for upcoming challenges and “calls on us” to take responsibility.
For example, a student who has an exam may feel anxious—and it is precisely this anxiety that drives them to start preparing. Therefore, it’s important to recognize the crucial role anxiety plays in fulfilling our responsibilities. One could say that anxiety is what holds us accountable for the quality of our actions.
What Is Fear and How Does It Help Us?
Unlike anxiety, fear has a clear object—we know what we are afraid of. Fear protects us from risky behaviors and serves primarily as a defense mechanism. From childhood, we learn that certain situations cause pain, and we develop behaviors in response to those situations.
For example, touching fire causes burns, so when we get close to it, we experience fear—an emotion that, in reality, keeps us safe.
When Do Fear or Anxiety Become Mental Health Issues?
- Knocks us off balance
- Interferes with daily life and relationships
- Hinders self-realization
- Limits our sense of freedom
- Creates constant negative expectations
- Causes persistent inner discomfort
When Is It Helpful to Seek Support from a Mental Health Professional?
Ultimately, if these emotions persist over time, occur with an intensity that is disproportionate to the situation, or begin to interfere with daily life—and if the individual struggles to cope—it is both helpful and recommended to seek support from a mental health professional.
Author: Tinatin Omanadze
Editors: Nana Mamulashvili, Guga Sikharulidze, Elene Khomeriki, Mariam Akhmeteli, Elene Gogokhia