fear

Apprehension; dread; alarm; by having an identifiable stimulus, f. is differentiated from anxiety which has no easily identifiable stimulus. [A.S. faer]

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fear 'fi(ə)r n

1) an unpleasant often strong emotion caused by anticipation or awareness of danger and accompanied by increased autonomic activity

2) an instance of fear

fear vb

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n.

an emotional state evoked by the threat of danger and usually characterized by unpleasant subjective experiences as well as physiological and behavioural changes. Fear is often distinguished from anxiety in having a specific object. Associated physiological changes can include increases in heart rate, blood pressure, sweating, etc. Behavioural changes can include an avoidance of fear-producing objects or situations and may be extremely disabling; for example, fear of open spaces. These specific disabling fears are known as phobia. beta blocker relieve the physiological manifestations of fear and are useful in the treatment of short-term fears, such as the fear of hearing the results of an examination. Anxiolytics, such as diazepam, carry a risk of developing dependence, and behaviour therapy or cognitive therapy are preferred for disabling and persistent fears.

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(fēr) the unpleasant emotional state consisting of psychological and psychophysiological responses to a real external threat or danger, including agitation, alertness, tension, and physiological mobilization of the alarm reaction. Cf. anxiety.