These are undoubtedly strange and difficult times. There is a plenitude of misinformation, confusion, and closed-mindedness on all sides. The fear circulating is palpable, and the object of this fear seems interchangeable depending on individual beliefs and value systems. There is fear of the virus, fear of the vaccination, fear of "superspreaders," fear of "vaccine shedders," fear of unending lockdowns, fear of ending lockdown, fear of the government, fear of conspiracy theorists, fear of each other, and, ultimately, a general fear of the world around us. The amount of fear in circulation is overwhelming.
As a psychologist in clinical practice, I am deeply interested in understanding how these states of mind affect our beahviour, relationships, and overall well-being.
What Happens When We Are in a Fear-Based State?
When we experience fear, the amygdala is stimulated and sends signals to the nervous system to activate the fear response. This initiates the release of chemicals designed to keep us safe. In a fear-based state, we operate primarily from the limbic system, a primitive part of the brain that developed early in human evolution. This part of the brain, often called the "reptilian brain," is responsible for our stress response. Its primary goal is survival, a role it has fulfilled for thousands of years.
Stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline help us respond to immediate threats by preparing us to fight or flee. Once the threat is gone, the parasympathetic nervous system should activate, calming us and allowing us to return to a balanced state.
During a fear response, our focus narrows solely to survival. The limbic system dominates, and the prefrontal cortex becomes largely inaccessible. The prefrontal cortex, which developed much later in our evolution, is responsible for logic, reasoning, future planning, impulse control, empathy, and compassion—qualities that make us distinctly human.
From an evolutionary perspective, this system makes sense. When facing an immediate threat, such as a tiger, there is no time for deliberation. Quick, reflexive action is what ensures survival. However, once the danger passes, we can return to a state of clear thinking and rationality.
The Problem With Lingering Threats
The current global situation presents a different kind of challenge. The threat we face is pervasive and lingering. It does not disappear, so the fear response cannot properly shut down. This keeps us in a state of perpetual fear and readiness. In essence, we have become like reptiles.
This ongoing activation of the fear response limits our access to higher cognitive functions, including empathy, reason, and open-mindedness. Without these, it becomes nearly impossible to have meaningful conversations, resolve conflicts, or grow and learn. Instead, we remain trapped in an "us versus them" dynamic, which fosters closed-mindedness, bigotry, regression, and even violence.
An Opportunity for Evolution
Despite the challenges, I believe this moment in history presents an exciting opportunity for growth. We must learn new ways of responding to ongoing threats that do not involve the limbic system taking over and shutting down other parts of our brain.
The fear response has served humanity well for thousands of years and will continue to be useful for immediate, short-term stressors. However, modern stressors are more complex and enduring. When stress hormones are secreted continuously, they harm our ability to think clearly and make sound decisions. Prolonged fear responses also contribute to chronic physical and psychological disorders.
Moving Beyond the Fear Response
To address these challenges, we need to evolve and find new ways to respond to threats. This does not mean ignoring or suppressing fear. Instead, we can bypass the primitive fear response and engage our whole brain to face challenges with greater clarity and capacity.
One simple yet powerful technique is slow, deep, conscious breathing. When we breathe quickly and shallowly in response to danger, our body prepares for fight or flight. By breathing deeply and slowly, we signal to our nervous system that we are safe and that there is no immediate threat. This helps deactivate the fear response and allows the prefrontal cortex to re-engage.
Embracing a New Way of Relating to Fear
I want to emphasize that the stress response is not inherently bad. It is a valuable system that has kept us alive for millennia. However, it is not suitable for every situation. For example, while we can run from a tiger, we cannot run from COVID-19, vaccine passports, or lockdowns. Fighting these stressors in a traditional sense is also not an option.
Instead, we need to learn how to face these challenges from a place of calm, rationality, and empathy. Before speaking or acting, we must inhabit our whole selves and engage our full cognitive capacity. This approach enables us to communicate and act in ways that are constructive and compassionate.
Self-care and self-soothing are no longer optional. They are essential for survival and a key to human evolution. By calming ourselves, we create space to open up, connect, and function at our highest potential.
If you are interested in learning techniques to deactivate the fear response and engage your full cognitive abilities, please reach out. I am happy to share resources and support. Together, we can cultivate well-being and take responsibility for our collective future.
Thanks for this beautiful reminder Orly.. x