Fear vs. Anxiety

For those of you that have received the endless phone calls all week, you are well aware that this week has been not only been long and challenging, but an emotional roller-coaster as well.

We've had some rather disturbing events transpire in my neighborhood over the course of time which has caused me to question the security of my home. Because of my anxieties, I won't go into great detail. For that matter my anxieties won't let me elaborate, for concern that someone would be able to pin-point where I live and prey on my anxieties.

Besides, discussing the events are not my reasoning for this post but rather, to outline what I have learned as a result.

I have said many times this week, "I'm afraid...", or "I fear...", when in reality I should have been saying "I'm anxious.." or "I'm worried..."

During one of my sleepless nights I came across the following definition:

Fear is an emotional response to threats and danger. Fear should be distinguished from anxiety, which typically occurs without any external threat. Additionally, fear is related to the specific behaviors of escape and avoidance, whereas anxiety is the result of threats that are perceived to be uncontrollable or unavoidable.

In finding this definition, I quickly learned that the distressing feelings I have been experiencing are in reaction to threats that I perceive as uncontrollable or unavoidable. And that anxiety occurs without any external threat. While fear is an emotional response to actual threats and danger.

It helps me to know that I have been reacting to my own perceptions, rather than being forced to react to any true threats. That is not to say that the extra security measures added to our home this week are not beneficial, or that I will quit perfecting my firearms safety and skills. But knowledge can be power. Knowing where my emotions are centered, gives me the tools to work through them. It also gives me hope that I will see the return of more restful nights.