Do you have an addiction to fear? I know – it sounds strange when you first read it. But did you know, that a fear addiction is totally possible, and it’s happening to a ridiculous amount of people out there. If this is something that intrigues you, pop the kettle on, grab a coffee, get yourself comfy and read this.
So, what exactly is an addiction to fear, and how can you tell if you have one?
WHAT EXACTLY IS AN ADDICTION TO FEAR?
When we feel scared, when we experience fear, our brain steps in and does its best to protect us. In doing so, it puts us into what we call FIGHT, FLIGHT OR FREEZE mode. This can lead to a rise in adrenaline and cortisol. For most of us, this experience can be debilitating but for some of us, we can become addicted to it. Think about it – have you heard of people who ride on the worlds scariest roller coaster, only to get straight back in the queue to do it a second time?
There can be a buzz associated with fear, that comes from the production of adrenaline. Everything suddenly becomes heightened, and for some of us, who perhaps have been depressed, or feeling numb, we suddenly feel alert and FEEL again. This can be intoxicating, and is why some of us turn to horror movies for example.
The same thing can happen to some people when they are exposed to fear. And it can be really confusing for a person, whose life is controlled by a fear, yet they dip their toe in and expose themselves to it (the thing that they are scared of).
HOW CAN YOU TELL IF YOU HAVE ONE?
Do you find yourself obsessing over the thing that you are fearful of? Is it something that you seek out, perhaps looking up about it on the internet? Do you put yourself in situations where you know you may come face to face with the thing that you fear? Do you perhaps like the attention that this gives you? Do you find yourself the centre of attention from your friends because of your reaction to the thing that scares you? If you answered yes, to just one of those things, you may have an addiction to fear.
WHAT IS THE SOLUTION TO AN ADDICTION TO FEAR?
The solution is to look at why fear is serving you. By digging deep and getting to the root cause of the problem, I can find out why you may have formed an attachment to fear and the feelings associated with it. Perhaps it is linked to something that you experienced as a kid, and you associated it with some form of comfort, perhaps to your parent.
There are all kinds of reasons, but what matters, is that I can help get to the root cause of it, and once there, we can change the emotion attached to the original event that triggered the fear response, and we can change your brains response to it.
If you would like to talk to me in confidence and are thinking about working one to one with me, please book your complimentary phone consultation call with me here.
ARE YOU HOLDING ONTO FEAR?
Another thing to ask yourself, is are you holding onto fear? In other words, are you refusing to make the change and let it go? Some people do this because they like the way that other people react to them and support them when they experience the fear. Perhaps you find that your parent or spouse does not offer much emotional support to you, but that they do react to fear.
This can keep some of us stuck – finding it difficult to let go of fear, because we worry that this will also mean having to let go of the support that accompanies it.
DO YOU WANT TO BE FREE FROM YOUR FEAR?
Do you? The first step towards being free from it is to say YES to that.
If you do, then it is as simple as taking the steps required to change things. I am hosting an online event on June 13th, called
FROM FEAR AND PHOBIAS TO FREEDOM – END PAINFUL MEMORIES AND SELF SABOTAGE
You can find out more about it here
This workshop is a great opportunity to be in a small intimate group with me, via Zoom – where we can look at why we experience fear, and address what we can do about it. You will experience techniques that I offer to my one to one clients on Harley Street and find relief and freedom from your fear quickly.
Go from fear to freedom!
I hope that this article has helped you and whether you are addicted to fear, or just want to be free from your fear in general, I am here to help you.
Christopher Paul Jones. Harley Street.
