Fear VS Anxiety— What's the Difference?

Fear and anxiety are two words we hear A LOT, and they're often used interchangeably. But let's be clear— they are NOT the same thing by a longshot.

While both cause similar physical and emotional responses, there are ginirmous key differences between the two. 

Today I'm here to help you explore the difference between the two so you have a lot more clarity. Being able to differentiate between them is vital to understanding the role anxiety plays in your life. Only then can you use that knowledge to feel more alive and thrive!

What is Fear?

Fear is a universal emotion that every person on that planet experiences. It's a natural human emotion we experience in response to a real or perceived threat.

You may think this sounds odd, but fear is a good thing! It's part of the reason that human beings have been able to survive and evolve for so long. Someone starts chasing you? You run, right?  See? Fear isn't all that bad, Lady Squad.

Fear is a chemical, adaptive response, it helps us avoid danger, helps our survival in certain situations, and prevents us from enduring harm. Fear is usually triggered by real, immediate danger or a perceived threat. 

Here is where a little more of the nuance comes in around fear itself. We experience fear in two ways: as a response to real danger or perceived danger.

Real Danger

Here's an example of real danger— You're taking a leisurely walk when you see a car running a red light out of the corner of your eye. It's heading straight toward you. 

You barely have time to think, your body immediately and instinctually body responds. 

You jump out of the way. 

Your response to REAL danger just saved your life.

Perceived Danger

Perceived danger is just as important.

It's the reason you don't meet up with every Tinder match, give out your social security number to random callers, or hitchhike.

To really bring it on home, fear is a short-term emotion that is often intense and sudden. It is accompanied by physical sensations such as a racing heartbeat, sweating, and trembling. Once the perceived threat is removed or resolved, your fear subsides, and your body returns to its normal state.

What is Anxiety?

Anxiety is also a natural human emotion, but it differs from fear in several ways. While fear is a response to a real or perceived threat, anxiety is a more generalized feeling of unease or worry not tied to a specific threat. It is just there living it on up in your mind and body for normally no reason at all and is chronic.

People with anxiety disorders may experience excessive and persistent worry and fear that interfere with their daily life activities. Things like stress, trauma, and uncertainty about the future (worry), can trigger anxiety. It is a long-term emotion and sensation and can persist even when no immediate threat exists.

Anxiety is also accompanied by the same physical symptoms triggered by fear (sweating, shaking, rapid heartbeat, etc.) However, these symptoms can be less intense than those you might experience when you're afraid but they are with you on a day to day basis.

Anxiety manifests in sooo many ways. Lots of people don't even recognize those feelings as anxiety. My previous blog, "What is High-Functioning Anxiety? Sneaky Signs You May Have It," covers this topic in depth. Check it out if you've been wondering if your worries and anxious feelings are more frequent or disruptive than they should be. 

The Difference Between Fear and Anxiety

The main difference between fear and anxiety is that fear is a response to a specific, immediate threat, while anxiety is a more generalized feeling of unease or worry.

Fear is a short-term emotion. Once the threat is removed, the feeling goes away. Alternatively, anxiety can last much longer.

Another critical difference is the intensity of the physical symptoms associated with each emotion. More intense physical sensations usually accompany fear, while anxiety may be accompanied by milder (but just as serious) symptoms that are happening on a daily basis and have far more lasting repercussions. 

I also want to add that the most extreme feelings of anxiety— panic attacks, for example — can make your body experience the same physical feelings of extreme fear. Anxiety and fear are so intertwined that separating one from the other can be challenging. Talking through those feelings with your support system or a professional can be really helpful.

How to Manage Fear and Anxiety

Both fear and anxiety are challenging to manage, but there are several strategies that can help. 

For fear, the best strategy is to remove or resolve the perceived threat. For example, if you are afraid of public speaking and you have a presentation coming up at work, you can practice your presentation plenty ahead of time and become more comfortable with the material or work with someone who can help guide you through the process so that you feel more prepared.

Better yet, face your fears.

If you are an anxious human, especially a woman (including yours truly), there is a reason why so many women listen to true crime podcasts. It's about more than simply satisfying morbid curiosity. 

Learning about those harrowing stories helps us feel just a little bit more in control of a potentially dangerous situation. So when things go bump in the night, you're less afraid because, in some ways, you've prepared for this. Isn't that wild?

Visualizing the worst-case scenario and learning from the mistakes of others (NOT victim blaming—just making observations) may actually keep us safer. At the very least, we may be able to sleep a little better at night, knowing that we locked all of the doors, just in case. Ever wonderd why so many anxious women listen to true crime? Well now you know, sugarpants.

Deal With It

There are so many practices and ways to deal with fear and anxiety in the moment. Always? No. But far more than you realize. Relaxation techniques such as deep breathing, mindfulness practices (getting out of your mind and into your body), and meditation (thought observations like they are little clouds passing through...thinking them and then letting them go) can be helpful tools for managing anxiety. Additionally, physical exercise (y'all know I preach this one all the dang time), getting your sleep in line (even through professional help), and talking to a therapist can also help manage anxiety symptoms.

I know, I know. You've heard it all before.

There are so many ways you can learn to manage your anxiety, but the most helpful and useful resource for me has always been community. 

Time and time again, I've been comforted, inspired, and validated by powerful women who have experienced and overcome the same challenges. I want the same for you!

Are you ready to flip the script— turn your "weakness" into a superpower? Join us at Women Out Loud and join the sisterhood that will help you unlock your full potential.