Boo! How Your Body Feels Fear

Don’t you just love Halloween and scary movies? I know, life is scary enough all the time. And being scared has a chemical effect on our bodies. Is that good or bad? That depends.

We humans have a built-in fight or flight response to help us act decisively during, say, a saber-toothed tiger attack or someone chasing us with a crowbar. Sometimes we fight; sometimes we run. The problem is, our bodies can’t really tell a real danger from a fake one. It still enables fight or flight.

“When something frightening/a threat is perceived – even if it’s not “real” – the body goes into an automatic response,” explains Dr. Nicole Mavrides, psychiatry and behavioral sciences expert with the University of Miami Health System.

The effect of fear on our bodies is widespread and instant:

• The adrenal glands react by flooding the body with adrenaline, which increases heart rate and breathing and even changes brain activity.
• Our eye pupils dilate to let in more light.
• Blood flows to our extremities so we can outrun that saber-toothed tiger.
• The thyroid gland stimulates the metabolism (which is why people sometimes feel as though they have to go to the bathroom when they are afraid!).

“Luckily, once the danger or perceived danger goes away, the body resumes it’s normal functioning and everything returns back to normal,” adds Dr. Mavrides.

Living with chronic fear

While the occasional spook or adrenaline rush is fun for many, there is a serious side. When we repeatedly react fearfully, it can impact our health.

• Physically, fear gradually weakens our immune system.
• It can cause cardiovascular damage.
• Our stomach and digestive system suffer.
• We have trouble forming long-term memories and may suffer damage to certain parts of the brain, creating a constant cycle of anxiety.
• That long-term state of fear messes up our emotions and can lead to inappropriately intense feelings and impulsive actions.
• Fatigue, depression and PTSD become part of our lives.

If you or someone you know is experiencing fear or phobia that is negatively impacting your health, Dr. Mavrides advises to seek help as soon as possible. “The sooner you see a professional, the better your chances of successfully overcoming your phobia,” she adds.

Written by Natasha Bright, a contributor for UHealth.

Tags: behavioral science, blood flow, Dr. Nicole Mavrides, fight or flight, manifest fear