1. “Fear is one of the most basic human emotions.

It’s a survival mechanism that activates

when we sense danger — real or imagined.
When we feel fear, our brain and body go into emergency mode, preparing us to fight, run
away, or freeze.
2. Let me break down how the process works.
When something scary happens — like seeing a snake — our senses send that information to
the thalamus, which is the brain’s relay center.
From there, two things happen at once:
A fast signal goes straight to the amygdala, which handles emotions and sends out an instant
panic response.
A slower signal goes to the cortex, which helps us analyze the situation and decide if the
threat is real.

If the brain decides it’s dangerous, it triggers the hypothalamus, which tells the body to release
hormones like adrenaline and cortisol.

This causes:

Fast heartbeat 💓

Sweaty palms

Dilated pupils 👀

Tense muscles

And the urge to run or fight.

This is called the fight-or-flight response. It all happens in under 2 seconds.

3.

Fear might feel unpleasant, but it’s actually a useful — and essential — emotion.

It evolved as a survival mechanism. Long ago, our ancestors lived in dangerous environments,
surrounded by predators, natural hazards, and unknown threats.

Those who experienced fear were more likely to stay alert, avoid risks, and survive. Fearful people
were less likely to get eaten by wild animals or poisoned by strange plants — and that meant they
lived long enough to reproduce and pass on their genes.

Over thousands of years, this emotional system became deeply wired into the human brain. And even
though the world around us has changed, our brain still uses the same ancient system.

Even today, fear helps us.

It’s the reason we slam on the brakes if a car suddenly stops in front of us.
It’s what makes us hesitate before stepping too close to the edge of a cliff.
It’s why parents teach their children to be careful near ovens, stoves, and sharp tools.

In these moments, fear sharpens our senses. It makes our heart beat faster, our breathing quicken,
and our muscles tense — preparing us to react quickly and protect ourselves.

And in emergencies, fear can even help us make faster decisions than logic alone. It helps us survive.
But here’s the thing: this system doesn’t always work perfectly.

Sometimes, fear is triggered when there’s no real danger.

A person might feel terrified of public speaking, even though there's no physical threat.
Someone might panic in a crowded store or on an airplane.
Or they might avoid something harmless — like a dog, a balloon, or a harmless insect — because of
one bad experience.

That’s when fear becomes less helpful. It starts to interfere with everyday life. This is when fear
becomes a phobia — an intense, irrational fear of something that isn’t truly dangerous.

And it’s important to understand: the same system that protects us… can also limit us.

That’s the challenge and the paradox of fear.

It’s our built-in defense mechanism — but if it misfires, it can control our lives in ways that don’t
make sense.

That’s why understanding how fear works is so important — not just for survival, but for mental
health, decision-making, and how we navigate the world every day.

4 . PHOBIAS
a) Nomophobia –
It’s the anxiety people feel when they can’t use their phones, even for a short time.Some
people can’t sleep unless their phone is next to them. Others panic when the battery’s low, or
when they can’t check notifications.It’s one of the strangest phobias — proof that our brains
now see connection and screen time as safety, not just convenience.

b) Chrometophobia - This rare phobia is a deep fear of money itself — of touching it, thinking
about it, or dealing with finances.
It can be triggered by guilt, anxiety, or past trauma.
In extreme cases, even paying a bill or holding coins can cause panic — turning an everyday
necessity into a source of fear.

c) Xanthophobia - is the fear of something most of us see every day — the color yellow.
It might sound unbelievable, but for people with this phobia, even looking at a yellow object
— like flowers, a school bus, or the sun — can trigger anxiety or panic.
It’s not about brightness or preference. It’s a deep, irrational reaction to a color… showing
just how unexpectedly fear can take hold.

d) Ablutophobia is the fear of washing or bathing — something most of us do without thinking.

But for someone with this phobia, the idea of taking a shower or even touching water can
cause extreme anxiety .It’s not about laziness — it’s a deep emotional response, sometimes
linked to past trauma or sensory overload. It’s rare, but powerful — and proves that even the
most everyday routines can be terrifying for some people."

e) Arachibutyrophobia is the fear of peanut butter sticking to the roof of your mouth.It might
sound quirky, but for some, the sensation can trigger intense anxiety and even panic.
 This phobia has been reported by people since the early 20th century, with cases often linked
to a fear of choking or being unable to breatheIt’s a bizarre yet real phobia, showing how
deeply irrational fears can be tied to specific sensations or experiences.

f) Turophobia - is the fear of cheese.

People with this phobia experience intense anxiety when they see, smell, or even think about
cheese. It can be triggered by the texture, smell, or past negative experiences with cheese. In
severe cases, the fear is so overwhelming that individuals may avoid entire meals or social
events, unable to be in the same room as cheese.

5. CONCLUSION - As we’ve seen, fear is deeply ingrained in our biology. It’s a survival
mechanism that’s been with us for thousands of years, reacting faster than our conscious
thoughts.
While this can keep us safe, it also shows the complexity of fear. Phobias, in particular, reveal
how fear can sometimes become disconnected from reality, leading to irrational responses.
Understanding how fear works — and why phobias exist — helps us not only manage anxiety,
but also better understand the powerful role fear plays in our lives.