Many times, the words fear and phobia are used interchangeably. But English has a lot of subtleties, the difference between the two words – although subtle – is real. So what is the difference between fear of something and fear of something?

What is fear?

The dictionary defines fear as "an unpleasant emotion caused by the thought that someone or something is dangerous and may cause pain or threat."

At first glance, this doesn't sound too scary.

After all, an unpleasant emotion can be anything from tears to your eyes until you are completely disgusted. And somewhere in between.

Fear can be a good thing. It is this emotion that causes us to escape situations and events that may be harmful to us. Therefore, the edge of the cliff you are about to cross will create a sense of fear that will allow you to take a step back and avoid falling into the abyss.

Similarly, confrontation with angry wolves or bears or cars [using more likely events] can cause enough fear, giving your survival instinct enough time to start and save you from unpleasant experiences.

So, strictly speaking, fear is based on a reasonable rational assumption that may harm you in some way, shape or form.

What is phobia?

Again, referring to the dictionary definition, phobia is "extreme or irrational fear or disgust of something."

Therefore, from the most basic point of view, phobia is a fear of steroids. Your normal fear of something has taken a step, now it is bigger, bolder, not often fearful or worried about something. You may be cold sweat or have already ran to the mountains instead of facing anyone with phobia.

But to delve into the dictionary definition, you can see that phobia does not have to be based on anything that is actually rational.

The fear of becoming an extreme grizzly is still based on the fact that the creature may be stronger than you and is not a disguised yoga bear.

An irrational fear is completely different, and that is where it becomes phobia.

Phobia can cover a variety of topics. They may be extreme versions of high fear, for example, you won't enter the edge of the cliff for half a mile.

Or they can make you panic about what everyone else thinks is normal – crossing the bridge, becoming part of the crowd, that kind of thing.

Have you seen fear and fear?

Sometimes there is a cross between fear and fear.

The fear of public speaking is very common. But if you take it to an extreme, then it can turn yourself into a phobia and it means you will do everything to avoid it.

So there is no obvious difference between fear and fear.

Fear and phobia – What is the difference? was originally published on Spring