Psychology question about FEAR...

Any psychologists post on here? If there are I have a question about fear and stress that I am trying to get a clear answer on... I am trying to figure out some things about myself and behavior in certain situations.

My question is how do you tell the difference between "imagined" fear and "real" fear? What are some signs of each?

In other words if person A suddenly fears sharks after watching Jaws the characteristics of this type of fear should differ from the fear a soldier (person B) might have from war right? Are there symptoms person B will express from a "real" fear that the person A with the "imagined" fear will not? Physically or mentally?

Thanks for any help!



[edit on 18-8-2004 by tacitblue]

But I think I've got an answer for you. (Not saying its the *right* answer though)

The body doesn't differentiate between "real" or "imagined" fear. The body's responce is the same anytime you get a fright. Genuine flight or fight symptoms (upset stomach, rush of adrenaline, dialated pupils etc.) would be present for a fear that is based in reality and a fear that may be more of our own making. The only message you brain sends out to your body in both situation is "lets get the h*ll out of here, " or "lets whup some butt."

Is that the answer you were looking for?

Kind of... But I'm looking for something only a psychologists might know. Such as does someone with an imagined fear think about it all the time? Do they suffer symptoms of post traumatic stress where certain events will take them back to a time of fear (even if they don't know exactly what it was).

I think something strange happened to me when I was very young that I cannot remember and I feel like certain things will trigger a response that I don't quite understand. I don't like spiders for instance, but I would not fight to the death in response to seeing one... I'm trying to figure out a weird part of my past and I need to know if some of my memories are genuine. If I have characteristics of "real" fear I think it will get me closer to understanding some of my memories. I don't know if they are real or fake but any difference in the types of fear I've described will be vital.

Thanks for your answer though. I do appreciate it.

Well, there is fear and the fear of fear. In my opinion, the fear of fear compounds fear even more. I'm not a pyschologist, but there is fear of a real or imagined situation, and then there is the fear of reliving the situation in which there was that fear. And usually that fear of fear will be a lot worse.

But since you are trying to differentiate between post-traumatic stress and imagined fear, I'd say to get over it would be the same thing. Just figure out what started that fear and face, don't try to shut it out or fight it, just stand up to it.

I'm already "over" it... I'm trying to understand it. Fear isn't really the problem since I can control that. The answer I need has to do with what I'm afraid of... I don't know if it was real or not. If, for instance, some of my behavioral characteristics in regards to this subject are more oriented towards post traumatic stress rather than something created by my imagination I'd feel like the fear was more justified and less crazy.

Plus validating some of my memories would have a secondary side effect of answered a lot of important questions in my life. I'm trying to predict and change the future if I can.

[edit on 18-8-2004 by tacitblue]

The best way I can think of is hypnosis. There is self-hypnosis, hypnosis by a trained professional, and then meditation. But all in all, you will have to look inside yourself for the answers.

It is irrelevant whether your fear stems from something real or imagined. Both real and imagined fears can have a profound effect on both your mental and physical health. I dislike your choice of words about real fear being justified and imagined fear being crazy. Someone is not nuts because the fear is simply a product of their imagination or experience. The physical manifestations that occur are the same regardless of the source of the fear.

IMO it sounds like you have an idea about what this all stems from. See a shrink - for no other reason than it will give you someone to talk to that is unbiased and can help bring it to a head. Especially if you think its PTSD. And I agree with Jamuhn that meditation is the best source for working through stressors and clearing one's mind.