Anxiety and fear are natural responses to events that occur throughout the day. However, the danger lies in their uncontrollable escalation, which can obstruct success, productivity, and achievement, while draining a person’s energy without any real benefit. It’s important to note that anxiety and fear share many physical and psychological symptoms, despite having slight differences in their formation.
So the important question is: What do anxiety and fear do to a person?
Undoubtedly, anxiety and fear cause many physical and psychological effects that leave significant and sometimes lasting damage. Here are some of the physical symptoms:
Anxiety and fear are sometimes linked to underlying health conditions, which may require medications that can trigger or intensify these feelings. Examples include cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, thyroid disorders such as hyperthyroidism, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), respiratory disorders, tumors, and more.
The psychological impact is just as concerning as physical illness. When asking “what do anxiety and fear do,” we must thoroughly examine and treat the psychological aspect as necessary. It’s important to note that the psychological impact can be more destructive than physical symptoms, as it may leave deep and lasting wounds in one’s mental state.
The psychological effects of chronic anxiety and fear vary in intensity based on the severity of the feelings and their true impact on the person. In severe cases, individuals may reach a point of contemplating suicide or death due to a complete loss of self-control. Some people may also exhibit automatic behaviors in reaction to these emotions — for example, losing control of their thoughts, especially negative and distressing thoughts. Anxiety and fear amplify these thoughts, particularly when facing the root cause or a specific triggering situation. That’s why it’s crucial to strengthen one’s emotional regulation skills and manage such situations with awareness and wisdom.
Anxiety and fear can also lead to sleep disturbances, either chronic insomnia or excessive sleep. They may cause problems with focus and memory, as well as intensify negative emotions such as stress, insecurity, low self-esteem, and self-criticism. This, in turn, lowers quality of life, reduces productivity and performance, and may lead to social withdrawal and avoiding interaction with others. The real danger arises when these feelings escalate into more serious mental health conditions such as depression, various anxiety disorders, or panic attacks.
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