Our fears tend to change as we get older, and sometimes we look back on them and wonder why we were so afraid of them. Younger children tend to be afraid of imaginary figures, such as monsters and ghosts, while older people tend to have fears of actual situations that could occur to them.
As you age, some fears dissipate, yet fears about being over-the-hill can creep into your daily life. Fear of not living up to expectations, fear of taking risks, fear of retirement, and a fear of the future. It's an uncomfortable feeling because it means you are no longer in control.
Aging Fear #1: Losing Independence
Because we have worked so hard to gain independence over the years, losing that independence is one of the biggest fears of aging.
Humans find it hard to move on when something known comes to an end. The fear of failure also comes into play to create a fear of change. If we don't know how something will turn out, we may rather not try because the outcome could be bad. Trying something new becomes a risk.
Human beings are naturally wired to fear change for several reasons. However, a fear of change may be more intense when the change is not within a person's control. Verywell reached out to clinical psychologist Carla Marie Manly, PhD, to discuss why change is so scary.
The levels, in order, are paralysis, inefficiency, Catastrophizing, holding on, self-doubt, normalcy, and disbelief. The first level, being paralysis, is the fear of doing things wrong or doing nothing in general. Level two is the fear of wasting time and the fear of doing the right things wrong.
The universal trigger for fear is the threat of harm, real or imagined. This threat can be for our physical, emotional or psychological well-being. While there are certain things that trigger fear in most of us, we can learn to become afraid of nearly anything.
Causes of Fear
Some common fear triggers include: Certain specific objects or situations (spiders, snakes, heights, flying, etc) Future events. Imagined events.
One of the most noticeable and challenging aspects of aging is the physical decline that occurs over time. As we age, our bodies gradually lose their vitality and resilience. The once effortless activities become more strenuous, and we may find ourselves battling ailments and chronic health conditions.
Many seniors fear they will lose their dignity in old age because of debilitating diseases or decreased brain function. Give your loved one as much privacy as possible, and help boost his or her self-esteem. Emphasize that these issues occur naturally because of age, and there is nothing to be ashamed of.
One study suggests that elderly people are more likely to fear the dying process, while young adults are more likely to fear death itself. Another study found that the children of elderly parents actually had a higher level of death anxiety than their parents, peaking at around middle age.
Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) is believed to be the most common anxiety disorder among older adults. People who have GAD find themselves constantly worrying about many things. They fear the worst in every situation, even if that fear is unfounded.
Fear Homones
The adrenal gland is an endocrine gland that produces two fear hormones—adrenaline and cortisol. These hormones are carried in the bloodstream to all parts of your body. Fear hormones are secreted by the adrenal gland, an endocrine gland located on top of your kidneys.
Our stomachs and intestines store our feelings of fear. The adage, 'I am sick to my stomach' justifies this. Fear is another negative emotion that has far-reaching repercussions on our health. It can cause digestion problems, pain in the gut, bloating, constipation and even Irritable Bowel Syndrome.
Fear Keeps You Safe
“Fear is a natural and biological condition that we all experience,” says Dr. Sikora. “It's important that we experience fear because it keeps us safe.” Fear is a complex human emotion that can be positive and healthy, but it can also have negative consequences.
People with panic disorder have frequent and unexpected panic attacks. These attacks are characterized by a sudden wave of fear or discomfort or a sense of losing control even when there is no clear danger or trigger. Not everyone who experiences a panic attack will develop panic disorder.
Everyone gets anxious sometimes, but some people are more prone than others. Possible causes of anxiety can include genetics, stressful situations, previous traumas, medications, and physical health issues. Not all of the things that cause anxiety are obvious or observable in your daily life.
Fear is an emotional reaction to a specific, real danger, while anxiety is an excessive and unfocused fear that may be triggered by a variety of stimuli. Anxiety caused by stress may persist long after the trigger is removed or arise with no trigger at all.
Catastrophizing is a tendency to assume the worst will happen when imagining a future situation—even if you have evidence that this is not the most likely outcome. People who like to feel in control (and are therefore intolerant of uncertainty) are more likely to catastrophize.
One important step in reversing the anxiety cycle is gradually confronting feared situations. If you do this, it will lead to an improved sense of confidence, which will help reduce your anxiety and allow you to go into situations that are important to you.