Arash Javanbakht, a psychiatrist from Wayne State University and author of "Afraid," shares his expertise on fear and anxiety. He discusses the biological and evolutionary roles of these emotions and the distinction between them. Javanbakht elaborates on our fascination with horror movies, revealing how they tap into our sympathetic nervous system and can even serve as therapeutic tools. He also explores various therapies, including talk and exposure therapies, to help manage fear and anxiety, highlighting innovative approaches like augmented reality.
Fear serves as a protective response to immediate threats, while anxiety creates unease about uncertain future events, impacting many individuals today.
Horror movies allow people to confront fears in a safe environment, providing therapeutic benefits and an adrenaline rush that fosters mindfulness.
Deep dives
Understanding Fear and Anxiety
Fear and anxiety serve distinct yet interconnected roles in human biology and psychology. Fear is a response to immediate and identifiable threats, while anxiety is characterized by a sense of unease about uncertain future events. Both emotions are vital for survival, as they trigger reactions that protect individuals from danger. Approximately 20-30% of the population experience anxiety disorders, and understanding these emotions can help reduce their stigma.
The Appeal of Horror Movies
Many people are drawn to horror movies, as these films offer a unique opportunity to confront fear in a controlled environment. The adrenaline rush experienced while watching horror can create a thrilling and exciting experience, where the mind knows that the danger presented is fictional. This interaction between fear and enjoyment allows individuals to feel alive while providing a moment of mindfulness away from real-life stressors. Engaging with horror can also serve as a therapeutic outlet, helping individuals tackle their anxieties in a safe setting.
Managing Anxiety Through Therapy and Exercise
When anxiety becomes overwhelming and affects daily life, effective therapies are available to help individuals regain control. Different forms of talk therapy can address underlying issues while exposure therapy gradually exposes individuals to their fears. Additionally, medication can help alleviate intense anxiety symptoms, allowing for clearer thinking. Exercise is also recommended as a powerful tool for managing anxiety, as cardio activities foster biological changes and provide social interaction, further benefiting mental health.
In human history, fear kept us safe when running from predators and anxiety kept us from going back to that lion-infested area. But what happens when these feelings get out of hand in humans today? And why do some of us crave that feeling from scary movies or haunted houses? For answers, we turn to Arash Javanbakht, a psychiatrist from Wayne State University. He likes studying fear so much, he wrote a whole book called Afraid. This episode, he gets into the difference between fear and anxiety, many of the reasons people feel afraid and why things like scary movies could even be therapeutic.
Want to know more about the science behind what keeps you up at night? Email us at shortwave@npr.org — we might cover it on a future episode!