Fear is an extremely important, survival-oriented emotion. In the days of the caveman, it helped get us out of harm’s way quickly. Even in the modern world when we don’t need to worry about being eaten by a sabertooth tiger, it’s an emotion that still serves to keep us alive, by getting us to move quickly if a car is barreling towards us or to keep us a safe distance from the edge of a subway platform. In these situations, it’s really helpful. But, it can become a problem when the fear response is sounded in the absence of any real danger.
| Physical Sensations | Thoughts | Behaviours |
| Heart pounding | I have to get out of here | Leave the situation |
| Breathing becomes more rapid and shallow | I’m going to die | Prepare to fight |
| Feeling dizzy or light-headed | I can’t tolerate this! | Freeze |